Governor Josh Stein Announces North Carolina as a “Do Your Part” State to Support Military Families

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Governor Josh Stein announced today at Fayetteville Technical Community College that North Carolina is officially becoming a Do Your Part State, joining a growing national initiative led by Blue Star Families and the National Governors Association. The program helps states identify and implement policies that effectively support military families — an effort closely tied to military recruitment, readiness, and community integration.

“Just as servicemembers and their families have served us, we must serve them,” said Governor Stein. “Supporting military families and ensuring they can focus on their core mission to keep us safe is critical to our nation’s security and the right thing to do. I am grateful that North Carolina is a Do Your Part State, and I am proud to reaffirm our state’s commitment to being a top state for military families.”

Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs Jocelyn Mallette emphasized the importance of this designation:

“North Carolina is home to more than 600,000 veterans and has the fourth-largest active-duty population of any state in the country. We owe it to our service members and families to address the unique challenges they face and give them a bright future here in North Carolina.”

Maryland Governor Wes Moore, chair of the initiative, welcomed North Carolina’s participation:

“Supporting our military families is not just the right thing to do — it’s essential to our nation’s strength and future. Maryland is proud to lead as a Do Your Part State, and I’m honored to chair this initiative with Blue Star Families and the National Governors Association. I’m excited to welcome Governor Stein and North Carolina to this growing collaboration.”

About the Initiative

Blue Star Families is a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting military families by helping them integrate into the communities where they live during their servicemembers’ assignments. The Do Your Part initiative encourages states to adopt policies that improve the quality of life for military-connected families across key areas like education, employment, healthcare, and community engagement.

Legislative and Programmatic Action

Governor Stein reaffirmed his administration’s ongoing efforts to make North Carolina more military-friendly, highlighting several key laws enacted this year that benefit servicemembers and their families:

• House Bill 67 – Healthcare Workforce Reforms: Establishes an Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, making it easier for military spouses to transfer medical licenses.

• House Bill 231 – Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact: Eases the license transfer process for social workers who are military spouses.

• Senate Bill 118 – Military and Veteran Support Act: Simplifies school enrollment for military families and allows remote renewal of driver’s licenses.

• House Bill 373 – UNC Tuition Discounts for Certain Students: Offers reduced tuition for military students in the UNC System.

Ongoing State Initiatives Supporting Military Families

North Carolina continues to implement a wide range of programs aimed at improving the lives of military families and veterans, including:

• Resource Guide 2024/2025: A comprehensive directory of resources compiled by the NC Department of Military and Veteran Affairs.

• MIC3 – Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children: Reduces educational barriers for children of military families.

• MCCYN-PLUS: Provides financial support for child care when on-base services are unavailable.

• Purple Star Award Program: Recognizes schools that show strong commitment to military-connected students.

• Veteran & National Guard Employment Preference: Offers hiring preference for veterans and eligible family members in state government.

• National Guard Medical Insurance Benefits: Provides health coverage options through the NC State Health Plan.

• NCTAP – Tuition Assistance for National Guard Members: Offers tuition reimbursement at approved NC educational institutions.

• Military and Overseas Voter Services: Supports absentee registration and voting for deployed servicemembers.

• NCWorks Veterans Services Professionals: A team of 50 veteran staff members focused on helping fellow veterans find jobs and training opportunities.

Governor Stein concluded his remarks by emphasizing that becoming a Do Your Part state is not just a label—it reflects North Carolina’s continued commitment to honoring the service and sacrifice of military families.