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May is National Military Appreciation Month, which honors the service, sacrifice, and dedication of U.S. Armed Forces members, veterans, and their families. Throughout the month, we celebrate and honor patriotism, remembrance, and community support.

In this newsletter, you’ll find events for military families, trainings with FREE CEUs, and more! If you are working with a service member, veteran, and/or family member of someone who has served, let’s connect!

Month of the Military Child

In April, we proudly joined communities across the nation in honoring the strength, resilience, and sacrifices of children in military families by celebrating Purple Up Day on April 15 with DHS staff. On this special day, staff members were encouraged to wear purple as a visible symbol of support and appreciation for military-connected children. Purple represents all branches of the military, combining the colors of each service into one unified show of support. Across the country, schools, military installations, and organizations recognize Purple Up Day through assemblies, spirit days, recognition ceremonies, and educational activities that bring awareness to the unique experiences of military youth.

During our Purple Up Day event, we also highlighted the valuable resources available to military families within DHS. Our Same Day Access team shared information about the services they provide, while our SMVF Behavioral Health Specialist, Nicol Jackson, showcased the specialized support available to Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF). In this role, Nicol provides light-touch case management, helping clients connect with VA healthcare, benefits, and other supportive resources designed to ease transitions and strengthen family well-being. We were also proud to spotlight Dog Tag Bakery, a veteran-owned organization in Washington that provides employment, education, and entrepreneurial training to veterans, military spouses, and caregivers as they transition from military service to civilian life.

Purple Up Day serves as an important reminder that while military children may not wear a uniform, they serve alongside their families through every move, deployment, and homecoming. Military-connected children often face unique challenges, including frequent relocations, school transitions, extended separations from loved ones, and the emotional demands that come with military life. By recognizing the Month of the Military Child, we acknowledge not only these challenges, but also the extraordinary resilience, adaptability, and strength these young people demonstrate every day. Their sacrifices and contributions play an essential role in supporting military families, and they deserve to be celebrated, supported, and recognized throughout the year.