Note from the MIC3 Chair, Vol 2, Issue 26

Note from the Commission Chair

Vol 2, Issue 26 - March 5, 2021

Dear State Commissioners and Ex-officio Members,

It’s hard to believe that we are now over one year into this pandemic, and I salute you for your resilience and dedication.

With spring break around the corner, April's Month of the Military Child (MOTMC) is near. Social distancing and varied school learning environments encourage creative and online celebrations. Please try to obtain a proclamation for MOTMC; some states, such as Missouri and New Mexico, have already gotten theirs!

Please take time to view the Communications and Outreach Committee's MOTMC Purple Up! Toolkit which includes several helpful materials:

Letter from the Commission Chair
Letter template from the state superintendent or commissioner
Letter template from the commissioner to the state council
Celebration ideas
Purple Up! poster
Proclamation samples for the executive office and state departments of education

Be sure to tag #MIC3Compact and #purpleup4militarykids when posting on social media for resharing; and email information, pictures, and event highlights to mic3info@csg.org.

Second, the Executive Committee (EXCOM) recently released Guidance to assist you with stakeholder discussions on expanding coverage to reserve component families not on Title 10 (active Federal) status. In alignment with our shared norms to "make decisions using data, expertise and experience consistent with the strategic plan," we encourage you to seek state specific data regarding various titles and actual transfers.

Some possible sources for these data include: your state offices of military and veterans affairs; the adjutant general; or the governor's staff. Other organizations that support the National Guard and Reserve in your state that may be able to help include the: Military Officers Association of America (MOAA); Reserve Organization of America (ROA); and National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). Click here to view the NGRTF recommendation and other relevant information.

Finally, the EXCOM is preparing for its annual retreat meeting next month. Due to pandemic and state travel restrictions, we will meet virtually again this year. Our discussion includes whether the 2021 Annual Business Meeting will be held in-person or virtually. While the status of COVID-19 is under consideration, we are interested in your travel plans and thoughts. A survey will be disseminated to gather feedback and concerns.

Thank you for your continued support of military families and students!

Respectfully,

John I. "Don" Kaminar

Chair

Share a Military Kid's Story!

This program was developed by the Communications and Outreach Committee and is one of our strategic plan initiatives. We want to capture stories about military kids and how our state/districts/schools/educators help make a difference in their lives. We all have good stories of how our schools help kids - so let's share and celebrate them!

How does the compact help military kids in your state? Encourage your schools (transition coordinators, counselors), parents, school liaisons, and other stakeholders to share a family/student's experience through a 30-second video! View program details here.

Videos meeting the parameters will be shown at the 2021 Annual Business Meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas on November 4-5, 2021.
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 by 6:00 PM Hawaii Time - Deadline to submit videos with the necessary documentation to your state Compact Commissioner
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 by 6:00 PM Hawaii Time - Deadline for Compact Commissioners to email videos to the National Office at mic3info@csg.org.

Commissioners should review the Commissioner Information Packet documents for more information.