MSU Extension

A selection of helpful links for military families and those who work with military families follow. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

Military, Military Family & Veterans Groups

• U.S. Army Child, Youth and School Services – CYS Services programs exist to support military readiness by reducing the conflict between a soldier’s mission requirements and his or her parental responsibilities.
• Military One Source – Military OneSource is provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to active duty, Guard and Reserve (regardless of activation status) and their families. It is a virtual extension of installation services. Visit Military OneSource today at http://www.militaryonesource.mil or call 800-342-9647.
• 4-H Military Partnerships – National 4-H Headquarters relies on the Cooperative Extension System across the country to build strong partnerships with Army, Air Force, Navy, National Guard and Reserve entities to provide technical assistance and training for military staff and to establish 4-H clubs for military youth living on and off installation. In addition, 4-H seeks to serve those children whose parents are serving in the National Guard and Reserve and who live in communities with little or no military presence.
• Military Child Education Coalition – The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, worldwide organization. A model of positive leadership and advocacy, the MCEC’s work is focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military-connected children affected by mobility, family separation, and transition. The MCEC performs research, develops resources, conducts professional institutes and conferences, and publishes resources for all constituencies.
• Michigan National Guard – This is the official website of the Michigan National Guard. The Michigan Army and Air Guard have two primary missions. The first is to execute the duties laid down by various State of Michigan statutes and the Governor. Included in this mission is the administration of several veterans’ programs, primary of which is administering two veterans’ homes with a resident population which can reach 1,000 veterans. The Guard’s second mission is better known. The Organized Militia’s traditional mission of military preparedness to assist both state and federal authorities is expressed in the two basic missions of the Michigan National Guard.
• U.S. Army Reserve – This is the official site of the U.S. Army Reserve. The Reserve is one of three components in the Army, along with Active Duty and Army National Guard. The Army Reserve has more than 2,000 units in the United States, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Germany, each one trained in a specialized skill and ready to support Army missions around the world.
• Operation Homefront – Operation Homefront (OH) provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and wounded warriors.
• American Legion – The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest veterans service organization, committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.
• American Legion Department of Michigan – The American Legion Department of Michigan is a nonpartisan, civilian organization that champions veterans issues. The organization’s staff is “dedicated to providing the very best in veterans’ advocacy services.” They assist veterans “with just about anything related to veterans’ benefits, services and activities.”
• American Legion Auxiliary – The organization’s website reads: “The women of the Auxilary make a difference in the lives of all Americans. They educate children, organize community events and help our nation’s veterans through legislative action and volunteerism.”

Extension and 4-H Groups

• National 4-H – 4-H is a positive youth development organization that empowers young people to reach their full potential. A vast community of more than 6 million youth and adults working together for positive change, 4-H enables America’s youth to emerge as leaders through hands-on learning, research-based 4-H youth programs and adult mentorship, in order to give back to their local communities. This site is the national online headquarters for 4-H.
• Michigan 4-H Youth Development – The mission of Michigan 4-H Youth Development is to create nonformal, educational opportunities to help youth thrive in a complex and changing world. 4-H involves volunteers in providing positive, experiential, educational opportunities for and with youth aged 5 to 19. Programming is primarily delivered through 4-H clubs and in- and out-of-school, community-based networks. Michigan 4-H’ers are exploring science, engineering and technology programs; becoming youth entrepreneurs; serving as peer mentors; experiencing environmental and outdoor education opportunities; building leadership skills and serving in their communities; pursuing global and cultural education experiences; and more! This site is the online Michigan headquarters for 4-H.
• Michigan State University Extension – Since its beginning, Michigan Extension has focused on bringing knowledge-based educational programs to the people of the state to improve their lives and communities. Today, county-based staff members, in concert with on-campus faculty members, serve every county with programming focused on agriculture and natural resources; children, youth and families; and community and economic development. Today’s problems are very complex. Solutions require the expertise of numerous disciplines and the collaboration of many partners. MSU Extension extends the university’s knowledge resources to all Michigan citizens and assists them in meeting their learning needs through a variety of educational strategies, technologies and collaborative arrangements.