Blue Star Families
Tom Porter
Vice President of Government Affairs
Email: tporter@bluestarfam.org
The families of our all-volunteer military make unprecedented sacrifices these days to serve our country. Blue Star Families was founded by military spouses in 2009 to empower these families to thrive as they serve. We’re committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors – individuals and organizations – to create vibrant communities of mutual support. We believe we’re all stronger when we take care of one another.
Our groundbreaking research is raising the nation’s awareness of the unique challenges of military family life. With the help of neighbors across the country, we are overcoming the isolation and alienation of frequent moves, deployments, and reduced support from the government. Our innovative programs are solving specific challenges for military families, including fighting economic insecurity with resources that foster spouse career development, creating family strength with rich family programming, and providing critical peer support for caregivers, whose numbers are only increasing.
With approximately 275,000 members in our network, including in chapters and communities all over the world, we touch more than 1.5 million military family members each year. Through our research and program partnerships, we ensure that wherever American military families go, they can always feel connected, supported and empowered to thrive – in every community, across the nation, and around the globe.
The organization was approved as an ex-officio member in 2023. Ms. Blaalid has served as the representative to the Commission since August 2025.
Military Impacted Schools Association
Kyle Fairbairn
Executive Director
Email: kykef@hotmail.com
Bio
Military Impacted Schools Association (MISA) is a national organization of school superintendents. Our mission is to serve school districts with a high concentration of military children. MISA is also part of the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS).
Formed in 1986, MISA works on funding (Impact Aid), legislation, partnerships and programs for military families on the move.
Education is an important quality of life program for military families. MISA partners with the Department of Defense Education Activity, National Military Family Association, and military leaders to ensure that all military children are afforded a quality education.
MISA works with local school districts and commanders to highlight best practices and partnerships that can further meet the needs of military families.
The organization is an inaugural ex-officio member of the Commission. Mr. Fairbairn has served as the representative to the Commission since 2011.
U.S. Department of Defense
Dianna Ganote
Program Analyst
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Military Community and Family Policy
Office of Children and Youth
Email: dianna.m.ganote.civ@mail.mil
Bio
Website
Learn More About the School Liaison Program
School Liaison Flyer
Department of Defense (DOD) represents military associated families in each of the Service Departments (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force), as well as the Coast Guard, National Institute of Health, and National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.
The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community & Family Policy is responsible for establishing quality-of-life policies and programs that help service members, their families and survivors be well and mission ready.
The Defense Department, in collaboration with the National Center for Interstate Compacts and the Council of State Governments, developed the compact to address the educational transitions for military families. All 50 states and the District of Columbia, along with the Department of Defense Education Activity, have committed to helping military-connected children enroll in school, register for the classes they need, and graduate on time.
K-12 education is an important quality of life and force retention issue for military families. It is DoD policy to support the intent of the Compact by reducing the difficulty children of military families have in transferring between school systems because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents.
The DOD School Liaison Program, an essential element for K-12 System Navigation, is provided at military installations worldwide. School Liaisons provide vital resources and services to Installation Commanders, parents, and Local and State Education Agencies, and community partners. Their goal is to identify and remove barriers to academic success, foster collaboration among families, installations and schools, promote awareness of education policies and laws affecting military students, and equip families and educators with tools to address military lifestyle challenges.
School Liaisons help parents navigate education options, homeschool and special education support, transition, deployment and absence support, college, career and military readiness, Youth Sponsorship, MIC3 compliance, grants and scholarships, and workshops for families and educators.
The Department is an inaugural ex-officio member of the Commission. Ms. Ganote has served as the Military Representative to the Commission since December 2022.
Education Commission of the States
José Muñoz
President
Email: jmunoz@ecs.org
Bio
Education Commission of the States (ECS) is an essential partner for addressing education policy at the state level. A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, ECS advocates for attaining education excellence for all by helping state leaders identify, develop and implement public education policy that addresses the current and future needs of a learning society.
ECS serves governors’ offices, legislators, state departments of education, and other education leaders and policymakers by providing personalized support, nonpartisan information and opportunities for collaboration. This support is delivered through research, policy analysis, published reports, convenings and direct counsel to state leaders.
ECS tracks and analyzes emerging and long-standing education policy issues, shares insights on trends across states, and convenes education leaders to learn from one another and exchange practical approaches. The organization is frequently invited to engage with partners and stakeholder groups to discuss how states are approaching education policy challenges and to highlight options for consideration.
The organization addresses the full spectrum of education policy — from early care and education through postsecondary education and workforce development — while maintaining a strong commitment to nonpartisanship.
Founded in 1965 through the Compact for Education, ECS has a long history of connecting state policymakers and supporting data-informed decision-making. Today, ECS provides tailored services and expertise to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, helping education leaders draw on lessons from across the country to inform policies that reflect their unique state contexts.
ECS also fosters cooperation within and across states by leveraging state memberships and philanthropic partnerships. These partnerships enhance the organization’s ability to support state policymakers in addressing education challenges through strategic, collaborative approaches.
In addition, ECS administers the Arts Education Partnership (AEP) and Strong Start to Finish (SStF) initiatives, which focus on advancing arts education and developmental education reform. While each organization maintains a distinct mission, they collaborate closely to develop high-quality, nonpartisan resources and services for states.
National Federation of State High School Associations
Davis Whitfield
Chief Operating Officer
Email: dwhitfield@nfhs.org
Bio
Since 1920, The National Federation of State High School Associations has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and activities that help students succeed in their lives. We set directions for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities.
The NFHS, from its offices in Indianapolis, Indiana, serves its 50 member state high school athletic/activity associations, plus the District of Columbia.
The NFHS publishes playing rules in 19 sports for boys and girls competition and administers fine arts programs in speech, theater, debate, and music. It provides a variety of program initiatives that reach the 19,983 high schools and over 15.2 million students involved in athletic and activity programs.
The organization was approved as an ex-officio member in 2015. Mr. Whitfield has served as the representative to the Commission since 2016.
Military Child Education Association
Amse Heck
Chief Advancement Officer
Email: amse.heck@militarychild.org
Bio
The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is a global nonprofit organization that has been serving military-connected children and their families since 1998. Our mission is supporting all military-connected children by educating parents, school personnel, and the children themselves to better understand and resolve the unique educational challenges associated with the highly mobile and unpredictable military lifestyle; advocating on behalf of military-connected children with local, state, and national decision makers; and collaborating on behalf of military-connected children with all military branches, state, and national departments of education, local school districts, institutions of higher learning, and other nonprofit organizations.
Our vision is to ensure every military-connected child is supported in their social and emotional wellbeing so they can be college-, work-, and life-ready. We achieve our mission by providing in-person and virtual trainings and workshops, webinars, podcasts, SchoolQuest (TM) (A state-of-the-art planning tool with links to critical resources and information), and a variety of electronic and printed resources — all of which are provided free of charge to military families. MCEC is the National Advocate for the Purple Star Schools Program (TM), a program run by the states to certify their schools to support military children who transition into their districts.
The organization is an inaugural ex-officio member of the Commission. Ms. Heck has served as the representative to the Commission since September 2025.
National Military Family Association
Eileen Huck
Director of Government Relations
Email: ehuck@militaryfamily.org
Bio
The National Military Family Association is the leading nonprofit dedicated to serving the families who stand behind the uniform. Since 1969, NMFA has worked to strengthen and protect millions of families through its advocacy and programs. We provide spouse scholarships, camps for military kids, and retreats for families reconnecting after deployment and for the families of the wounded, ill, or injured.
NMFA serves the families of the currently serving, retired, wounded, or fallen members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and NOAA.
The organization is an inaugural ex-officio member of the Commission. Ms. Huck has served as the representative to the Commission since June 2023.
“The Commission will include ex-officio, non-voting representatives who are members of interested organizations.
Military-oriented, military family, education-oriented, and parent and teacher organizations are welcome to petition the Commission for inclusion as an ex-officio member.
Commission members may also petition on behalf of a group for ex-officio membership.
All petitions must be approved by a simple majority vote of the Commission membership.”
