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ReserveFamilies
RESOURCES FOR EVERY PART OF YOUR RESERVE FAMILY LIFE
“Families (have a right to) receive consistent support, especially during activations/mobilization and transitions; access to childcare, counseling, and financial support services; and reduced disruption to family life caused by service.” – ROA’s Reserve Component Bill of Rights
Military service affects the entire family—and family members deserve the support, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive. ReserveFamilies connects Reserve and National Guard families with resources for school-age children, military spouses, and families to support them through the unique challenges and opportunities that come with living the Reserve life.
RESOURCES FOR SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN
STARS IN SCHOOLS
ROA’s STARS in Schools program provides resources for educators, schools, staff, and parents to help them understand the unique needs of military children with deployed Guard and Reserve parents.
SCHOOL LIAISON PROGRAM
The School Liaison Program offers an array of services and resources to support children, parents, installation leadership, schools, and the surrounding community, including Guard and Reserve families. For any issue with schooling related to your service, School Liaisons can help. School liaisons assist with transition support (including school selection), transfer of credits, homeschooling requirements and resources, and youth sponsorship referrals. School liaisons also help military-connected families with education-related matters pre-K through 12th grade at any point during your student’s schooling.
MILITARY INTERSTATE CHILDREN’S COMPACT COMMISSION
The Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission website is an incredible resource to help Guard and Reserve families find resources for relocating between states, locate state-level and school liaisons, and find state-specific laws and policies that help you and your children thrive during Reserve service.
MILITARYCHILDCARE.COM
MilitaryChildcare.com has information about the Navy Weekend Drill Childcare Program, information for Guard and Reserve members on long-term active duty orders, military fee assistance for neighborhood childcare, and information about locating childcare on military installations.
UPWARDS
Upwards helps Guard and Reserve families locate childcare during drill weekends. Some, but not all, areas across the United States have military-funded programs for drill childcare. Visit Upwards and see what is available!
MILITARY TEEN ADVENTURE CAMPS
Looking for a summer adventure for your military teen? Military Teen Adventure Camps offer Guard and Reserve teens opportunities to hike, rock climb, and explore the great outdoors at LITTLE TO NO COST. These camps offer unique outdoor experiences that build leadership, confidence, and teamwork.
SESAME STREET FOR MILITARY FAMILIES
Did you know Elmo’s father is in the National Guard? Sesame Street for Military Families hosts a wealth of resources, from posters and games to videos of favorite Sesame Street characters, all crafted to help military-connected children, including those in Reserve Component families, thrive.
MORALE, WELFARE, AND RECREATION LIBRARIES
All currently serving Reserve Component members and Guard and Reserve Retirees can access the DoD Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Libraries online. Get access to newspapers, magazines, genealogy research, ebooks, research materials, and a massive digital collection trove – all free! This is a great resource to advance your military and civilian careers!
MWR CHILDREN’S CORNER
Available for Guard and Reserve families: Children’s Corner, part of the DoD MWR Library, with access to Tutor.Com (tutoring and homework help); curriculum for Pre-K, Elementary, and Middle School children; and age-appropriate books, games, and videos.
OUR MILITARY KIDS
Our Military Kids funds activities for children of National Guard or Reserve service members who are experiencing an overseas deployment OR activation on a stateside, named mission AND children of veterans or military in any branch of service who are receiving care for combat-related injuries or illness.
MILITARY CHILD EDUCATION COALITION
The Military Child Education Coalition helps children growing up in military families by providing them, their families, and professionals with programs, resources, and guidance – including podcasts and webinars tailored to Reserve and Guard families.
RESOURCES FOR RESERVE SPOUSES
Reserve-connected military spouses have an unemployment rate between 8 to 14 percent – many times that of the national average. Despite some restrictive definitions in federal law, ROA believes every spouse of a Reserve Component member is a “military spouse” and deserves the resources and help to find full employment.
MILITARY SPOUSE JOBS
Military Spouse Jobs offers 22 years of unmatched impact for military spouse job placement, retention, and career progression. Military Spouse Jobs’ career readiness and job placement program, training and credentialing, and RecruiterConnect Program all help connect military spouses to employers and recruiters who understand that hiring military spouses is a smart business move.
SPOUSEWORKS
SpouseWorks is a DoW-sponsored program to assist all military spouses in gaining new skills, education, and employment. SpouseWorks offers free classes, career coaching, and access to scholarships for military spouses of activated members of the Reserve Component.
SPOUSEWORKS FELLOWSHIP
The SpouseWorks Fellowship is a PAID 12-week fellowship program with host employers around the country. Guard and Reserve spouses, regardless of duty status, are eligible. Fellowships offer hands-on, full-time work experience and include personalized career coaching with a SpouseWorks career coach.
USAJOBS MILITARY SPOUSE PORTAL
The U.S. Government’s website for posting jobs in federal agencies, USAJOBS, hosts a portal that specifically filters jobs available to military spouses.
MILSPOUSE MONEY MISSION
MilSpouse Money Mission helps empower, educate, and elevate military spouses by helping them make smart money moves. Pay and benefits in the Reserve and Guard can be complicated, even more so as you approach retirement. The website includes checklists for when your family grows through childbirth or adoption, investing, and more.
RESOURCES FOR RESERVE BUSINESS OWNERS - SERVICE MEMBERS OR SPOUSES
IVMF MILITARY FOUNDERS LAB
Already a business owner? Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans & Military Families’ Military Founders Lab provides a 10-week, virtual program that delivers immediate, practical impact and support for business growth and development with access to business tools, resources, mentorship, and a strong peer network. This incredible program is open to currently serving Guard and Reserve members and military spouses.
BOOTS TO BUSINESS REBOOT
Boots to Business Reboot (B2BR) is a free, two-step entrepreneurial education and training program helping veterans, Reservists, and military spouses turn their discipline, leadership, and skills into successful small businesses.
MILITARY SPOUSE PATHWAY TO BUSINESS CLASSES
In Military Spouse Pathway to Business Classes, military spouses are introduced to a broad spectrum of entrepreneurial business topics such as market research, economics, legal considerations, and finances. You’ll also learn about additional resources available to military spouses for accessing startup capital, receiving technical assistance, earning contracting opportunities, and more.
MILITARY SPOUSE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce is your go-to partner for military-owned businesses. Their team is committed to empowering and advocating on behalf of our nation’s military spouse business owners and budding entrepreneurs from Capitol Hill to communities across the United States. Their amazing resources are available to Guard and Reserve spouses and spouses of veterans of the Reserve Components.
DOG TAG FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
Dog Tag Bakery hosts a fellowship program for military spouses (including spouses of Guard and Reserve members), and veterans of the Guard and Reserve to equip them with the tools and education to build resilience, find renewed purpose, and forge community beyond the military. Dog Tag provides a bridge from military service to the civilian world and acts as a catalyst for finding direction and moving forward. Fellows earn a business certificate from Georgetown University and learn the ins and outs of running a successful business.
SBA DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAMS
Are you a small business owner impacted by the activation of either yourself or your employees? The U.S. Small Business Administration offers emergency loans to assist via one of their “disaster recovery” programs, with offers no interest or any payments required for 12 months and an interest rate not to exceed 4 percent. The filing period begins on the date the essential employee receives a notice of expected call-up and ends one year after the essential employee is discharged or released from active duty.