Many businesses understand the benefits of employing and supporting military veterans, especially at a time when U.S. servicemen and women are placed in harm’s way.
With military members in every community in Wisconsin and just under 10,000 students in the state who are part of a military family, it is important for communities, businesses and school districts to know how they can support them.
Every year during April, we celebrate the Month of the Military Child. Although many activities focus on educating and supporting school staff members, we also share information with businesses and community members to grow awareness and ask for their support.
The current military action in Iran and other deployments place great stress on military children and families. When one parent/caregiver is absent, it increases the demands on the caregiver at home. In single parent families, when the parent is deployed, they must make arrangements for their children to be cared for by other adults — and often those adults may live in another town or state.
This often requires students to move during the school year, leaving friends, teachers and routines. Military children also face emotional stressors knowing their parents may encounter life threatening situations when deployed.
And deployments often have a negative effect on monetary resources. The National Military Family Association shares that 1 in 4 military families are food insecure and roughly 1.2 million veterans rely on SNAP benefits.
A 40-year history
The Month of the Military Child was initiated under former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger in 1986. It is a time to applaud military children for the challenges they overcome and their contributions.
In 2009, the Wisconsin Legislature joined the Interstate Compact for the Education of Military Children and created a state law to support military children. Through the compact, we help school staff participate in training to increase their understanding of challenges these students and families face.
The law creating the compact removes educational barriers faced by military children due to frequent moves and parental deployments. It mandates consistent policies for transferring students, covering records transfer, enrollment, placement and graduation requirements across all states and territories.
At that time, Gov. Tony Evers was the state superintendent of public instruction, and he appointed me as the Wisconsin commissioner to ensure the compact is enacted with fidelity. Every state superintendent after Evers has reappointed me.
The commissioner oversees a state council that includes representatives from government, business, education, families and the military to advance programs for students and families.
While the law focuses on education, other parts of society can and have stepped up as well.
How businesses can get involved
How can businesses and employers help? Not only by raising awareness of the needs of military families, but also with special considerations such as discounts and extended credit for military family customers.
The more business owners understand the challenges of military members and their families, the more prepared they are to respond with appropriate mental health and emotional support. Family members by law get time off from work and school when military members are leaving for or returning from deployments.
Another way to help is offering flexible work arrangements, job transfers for spouses and early child care. With frequent moves, one parent may also seek employment in a new community or business.
Gov. Evers provides a statewide proclamation for April, the Month of the Military Child and many communities and school districts throughout the state do special recognitions this month.
As part of the celebration, we encourage everyone to wear purple and display purple in storefronts during April as it combines the colors of all of the branches of the military.
Shelley Joan Weiss is the Wisconsin commissioner for the education of military children.
