Three Delaware schools have earned the Purple Star School designation, recognizing them for their commitment to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children.

The 2024 recipients are Caesar Rodney School District’s Caesar Rodney High School and Dover Air Force Base Middle School and First State Military Academy charter school. The three schools were honored today as Governor John Carney and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long signed a proclamation recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child. The Month of the Military Child is a national recognition of the sacrifices military-connected children make so their families can serve our country.

“We owe military families a debt of gratitude we can never repay,” said Governor Carney. “I was proud to join Delaware’s three Purple Star schools to recognize their outstanding support of their military-connected students.”

Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said, “Military members’ children often face unique challenges because of their family members’ service. Their parents or caregivers may deploy overseas and/or they may transition schools frequently as their families’ military stations change. I commend our schools for recognizing these unique needs and providing the extra supports these students need.”

For example, the designation requires schools to have an active peer transition program. Both Dover Air Force Base Middle School and Caesar Rodney High School meet this requirement by implementing the Anchored4Life program. While this program looks slightly different at the varying grade levels, its primary focus remains the same. The peer-to-peer club helps youth cope with transitions and changes, such as moving to a new school, dealing with family challenges, or overcoming academic barriers. The club aims to teach and reinforce life skills, provide growing opportunities, and build confident leaders who inspire others.

At First State Military Academy, a peer transition team reaches out to new military-connected youth when they arrive at the school. A student connects with the new cadet and matches the cadet with buddies who give the new student a tour of the campus and make sure the cadet has a connection in each class. One student who transferred mid-year said the student buddies helped him feel more comfortable: “It is easier to talk to kids your age or around your age.”

To be designated as a Purple Star School, the school must designate a staff member to serve as a military liaison to: identify military-connected youth, serve as a contact between the school and their families, determine appropriate school services for the children and help coordinate school programs relevant to military-connected youth. In addition to participating in training on how to support the military-connected families with the specific challenges they face, the liaison also must conduct school-wide professional development to inform all staff of the unique needs of military-connected students and available resources.

Delaware Purple Star Schools also must have designated web pages with resources and information relevant to military-connected families and establish a transition program for youth. The school also must show support for military-connected children and their families through a recognition event or other support programs.

Delaware’s Purple Star designation is valid for three years.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announces effective October 11, 2023, active duty military and their dependents may qualify for a document fee exemption.

2 Del. Admin. C. §2266 was amended to assist with the transition to a new state less strenuous on our active duty military personnel and their dependents, who are deployed to the State of Delaware.

The exemption includes the registration of a motor vehicle by a member of the military (active, reserve, or National Guard) and their dependent family members who are stationed on either a temporary or permanent basis within the State of Delaware whose vehicles are registered in their state of residence or at their previous duty assignment (to include an overseas assignment). Military members or their dependent family members must provide active duty military orders indicating a temporary or permanent change of duty station within 90 days of relocating to Delaware or within 90 days of the vehicle purchase.

“Active duty military personnel and their families often relocate multiple times during their careers in the armed forces,” Senator Eric Buckson (R-Dover) said. “Figuring out new and innovative ways to assist these individuals to more easily transition to life in Delaware is important. I applaud the Department of Transportation and Division of Motor Vehicles for recognizing this challenge and meeting it head-on.”

“Our active duty military are no strangers to relocation, adapting to new surroundings and environments. Waiving the document fee is one small thing we can do to help ease their transition,” said Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Nicole Majeski.

“The process to request an exemption is quite easy,” added Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles Amy Anthony. “As soon as you get settled, bring your active duty military orders to one of our DMV locations. If you have a family member who qualifies, they must also be listed on the orders.”

The Military Document Fee Credit should be applied at the time of titling.

For more information on the change visit dmv.de.gov. The DMV also offers various services for our Veterans including a Veteran’s Indicator that can be added to any driver license or identification card. DMV’s Heroes of the Highway program assists recently discharged military members with obtaining their Commercial Driver License.

DOVER, Del.  — Demonstrating a long-standing commitment to supporting military families, Delaware’s Department of Human Resources (DHR) announces a new program aimed at creating career opportunities for military spouses. The Military Spouse Transition Network (MSTN) project is a partnership between the State of Delaware and the National Association of State Personnel Executives (NASPE), an organization dedicated to improving the communication and exchange of information among state government personnel executives nationwide.

Military spouses face the challenge of relocating to new duty stations approximately every three years, a hurdle that can significantly hinder their professional careers and financial support for their families. Without proper career assistance, they are often left with no choice but to accept lower-paying jobs, leading to professional dissatisfaction and limited workforce participation.

The program is designed to assist all recognized military spouses employed by state government agencies in NASPE member states. Delaware’s DHR is taking the program a step further by extending an invitation to assist with career placement to all military spouses and their dependents relocating to the state. To reach a wider audience, the State of Delaware has been actively promoting the MSTN program by engaging with different military branches and sharing information at local hiring events. The process starts when the military member receives a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) notice. Upon such notification, military spouses are encouraged to contact the designated MSTN liaison in their home state who will connect them with the appropriate personnel in the receiving state. This process facilitates an information exchange, providing military spouses access to a wide array of valuable career services, including resume assistance, skills translation, and important professional contacts, with the goal of supporting their successful re-employment.

“The State of Delaware understands the unique burdens and challenges military spouses and their dependents face when transitioning to a new state, and it is with this understanding that we started this military spouse transition program to directly address their re-employment challenges,” said Claire DeMatteis, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Human Resources. “We want to go the extra mile to make sure military spouses know that Delaware is a place that values and appreciates their hard work, experience and sacrifice.”

By joining NASPE’s Military Spouse Transition Network, Delaware’s DHR is dedicated to offering military spouses and their dependents a smoother transition and, assisting them in finding meaningful employment within state government. The program also fosters a supportive environment that recognizes and appreciates the skills and resilience of military spouses and families.

For more information, contact Erica Pratz, MSTN Liaison for the State of Delaware, by email erica.pratz@delaware.gov or call (302) 672-5161.

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Major George S. Welch Elementary School in the Caesar Rodney School District is Delaware’s first Purple Star School, recognized for its commitment to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children.

“Military-connected children often face challenges, from parent and caregiver deployment to frequent school transitions as their families’ military stations change,” Governor John Carney said. “The Welch school community has prioritized providing the extra supports these students need and should be proud to be named Delaware’s first Purple Star School.”

April is Month of the Military Child, a national recognition of the sacrifices military-connected children make so their families can serve our country.

“Taking care of military children is integral to caring for the Dover family,” said Col. Matt Husemann, 436^th Airlift Wing commander. “Welch Elementary and the Caesar Rodney School District are awesome, and we are thankful for all they do for the Dover AFB family. Being named a Purple Star School further demonstrates the dedication of the amazing faculty and staff as they provide an outstanding education in harmony with supporting military families’ unique situations.”

Last year the Delaware General Assembly passed Senate Bill 117 to create the Purple Star School recognition, joining the National Purple Star Schools Program.  To be designated a Purple Star School, a district or charter school must designate a staff member as a military liaison to: identify military-connected youth, serve as a contact between the school and their families, determine appropriate school services for the children and help coordinate school programs relevant to military-connected youth. In addition to participating in training on how to support the military-connected families with the specific challenges they face, the liaison also must conduct school-wide professional development to inform all staff of the unique needs of military-connected students and available resources.

Delaware Purple Star Schools also must have designated web pages with resources and information relevant to military-connected families and establish a transition program for youth. The school also must show support for military-connected children and their families through a recognition event or support programs.

“Military-connected children often move every two to three years, which can cause disruptions to their education as well as their social and emotional well-being. Our goal is to make Delaware as supportive a home as possible for these children and their families while they are in the First State,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “Welch is our first Purple Star School, but I hope every school in our state will follow its example and provide such strong supports to their own military-connected families.”

Delaware’s Purple Star designation is valid for three years.

“The Caesar Rodney School District is proud to have so many military-connected children in our community,” Superintendent Christine Alois said. “These students and their families sacrifice much for our nation, and we are honored to serve them.”

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has a new enhanced website page, de.gov/veterans, that highlights military and veteran services, including additional resources.

DMV has previously offered resources for active members of the military and veterans, however, recent changes to the DMV website page and rebranding of the Veteran Services brochure were made to increase awareness and participation for the military community.

“As the home of the Dover Air Force Base, the Delaware National Guard, and thousands of active duty service members and veterans, we are grateful to all who serve and proud to continue to work to support our military community during their active service and beyond,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski.

Among these services is “Heroes on the Highway,” a Commercial Driver License (CDL) program designed to assist qualified, active military and recently discharged veterans with obtaining their CDL. Full eligibility requirements, as well as all DMV-related military and veteran services, can be found at online at de.gov/veterans.

This initiative was created to assist in securing local employment for veterans, says DMV Director Jana Simpler. “The Division strives to support our dedicated military and veteran community in Delaware. From navigating residency guidelines while on active duty to obtaining a CDL after discharge, we are here to help. Thank you to our military and veterans for your service to our country and our state.”

Enhancements include a new landing page for military and veterans services and an updated informational brochure.