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Military Community Representation on State Boards and Councils

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Key Message

Many states do not adequately recognize service members and their families as a separate and unique demographic. By recognizing the military community as a demographic, states can leverage expertise on military family needs, priorities and available resources. States can appoint those connected to the military to serve on state councils and to develop plans and other documents related to military affairs, nutrition and food security, economic workforce development, early childhood education, child care, suicide prevention and mental health.

Analysis

States have enacted changes to the composition of their boards and councils, including military demographic consideration, to ensure that installation mission readiness and family readiness concerns are considered.

Insights

Adding a military perspective to state health improvement boards and other councils promoting wellness, nutrition and mental health can improve community-level, health-related, quality of life scores, increase readiness and retention and address the needs of isolated service members and their families.

State Policymakers

If you are a state policymaker, request more information.