Currently, children of National Guard and Reserve members are excluded from a program included in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which was signed into law last Congress, that helps identify students from military families in order to ensure that schools and teachers know which students have parents in the military and can help accommodate any additional needs
The Fairness for Guard and Reserve Children Act would amend the ESSA to include children of Guard and Reserve members; More than one million military-connected children face challenges associated with service, including frequent moves, parental deployments, and other issues related to parents who may be experiencing trauma associated with deployment
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced bipartisan legislation to support children in National Guard and Reserve families. Currently, children of National Guard and Reserve members are excluded from a program in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which was signed into law last Congress, that requires states to identify students from military families in school records in order to ensure that schools and teachers know which students have parents in the military and help accommodate any additional needs.
The Fairness for Guard and Reserve Children Act would amend the ESSA to include children of Guard and Reserve members. In addition to being deployed during domestic emergencies and natural disasters, Guard and Reservists often deploy to military installations around the world and made up a significant portion of the U.S. forces deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than one million military-connected children face challenges associated with service, including frequent moves, parental deployments, and other issues related to parents who may be experiencing trauma associated with deployment.
“The children of servicemembers that I’ve met are so proud of their parents. Still, military service, whether a parent is active duty or not, can be tough on kids. So, it’s not right that it’s harder for the children of National Guard and Reserves members to get the support they need,” Klobuchar said. “Our bipartisan legislation would help ensure that these kids receive the same care and support that all military-connected children do.”
“Our servicemen and women make many sacrifices to protect our nation, and the unique hardships military families face, such as deployments and frequent relocations, can be particularly challenging for children,” Collins said. “Our legislation will ensure that we have the information necessary to provide children of National Guard and Reserve members with the support and resources to succeed.”
Klobuchar has worked in a bipartisan manner to support National Guard and Reserve members and their families. She has authored bipartisan bills to help veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, expand job training and employment opportunities, cut red tape and wait times for those scheduling appointments at VA Medical Facilities, and to reduce veterans’ homelessness. Last month, Klobuchar introduced the bipartisan Sinai Service Recognition Act with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to give Sinai-stationed Minnesota National Guard and Reserve members full benefits. She also introduced the bipartisan Savings for Servicemembers Act with Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) to help National Guard members and reservists to cut out-of-pocket costs for travel to required training and drills. In February, Klobuchar introduced the Educational Development (ED) for Troops and Veterans Act to provide education benefits to servicemembers who often have to leave behind schools, jobs, and homes to serve their country.
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