Military Resource Page

Supporting Military Families

ALABAMA’S

PURPLE STAR SCHOOL PROGRAM

The Alabama Purple Star Schools Program and Committee, established by Legislature with the passage of Act 2021-7. The Purple Star School Program recognizes the efforts of the K-12
schools in the state that are committed and supportive of military students, and their families, as they transition to their new homes and schools. The Purple Star School program was designed to help mitigate the challenges of high mobility by setting standards for and publicly designating military-friendly schools. The Purple Star Award recognizes schools that show a major
commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. Schools that earn the award will receive a special Purple Star recognition to display on site.

A school will be designated a Purple Star School if it completes all the required activities, plus one optional activity, listed below. The Purple Star Committee determines a school’s eligibility for the award.

School Liaison:

Belinda Davis
6th Grade Special Education Teacher and
Purple Star School Liaison

belinda.davis.pla@mps.k12.al.us

(334) 851-4842

 

Military Resources

Important Documents
  • Alabama’s Heroes Welcome Initiative — The Heroes Welcome Initiative works together with representatives located in communities across Alabama and is committed to providing military families with information and resources available.
  • Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs — Provides comprehensive care and quality service to Alabama’s veterans, and their families, with regard to health care, education, disability benefits, long-term care, and burial honors.
  • Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission Alabama is one of 50 states involved in the Interstate Compact for Educational Opportunities for Military Children, which is working to ensure that military children are properly enrolled in schools, have eligibility for school activities and have assistance in meeting graduation requirements.
  • The Alabama Military Stability Commission and Alabama Military Stability Foundation – The Military Stability Commission, chaired by Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth and Military Stability Foundation work in conjunction to proactively ensure the stability of Alabama-assigned DOD resources by study and evaluation of all currently assigned military forces or civilian contractors and the move of these resources within, to, and from the State of Alabama. The operational arm of the Military Stability Commission, the Military Stability Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation which was incorporated in September 2011. The Foundation works directly with the Commission, Alabama-assigned DOD installations, and the communities that surround and support them to develop and implement measures to retain and strengthen Alabama’s military assets and infrastructure and to assist in preparations for any impending Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) or similar process.
  • Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)– The Military Child Education Coalition’s work is focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military children affected by mobility, family separation and transition. | Voice for the Military Child: a newsletter for friends of the MCEC

McKinney-Vento Act

The McKinney-Vento Act protects scholars from discrimination based on their lack of a permanent residence. Homeless Scholars are eligible to receive a variety of services including: transportation services, free meals under the school nutrition programs, limited English proficiency class, gifted and talented programs, and special education services based on a scholar’s eligibility. Homeless Scholars will not be denied enrollment based on lack of proof of residency. Please consult the McKinney-Vento Act Liaison if you need assistance. The PLA Network does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability or national origin in any employment and/or educational opportunity. No person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination in any program or activity for which the PLA Network Board is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. The PLA Network values diversity. Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is committed to making its websites accessible for all, including individuals with disabilities, and strives to ensure accessibility currently and as new technologies emerge. PLA welcomes questions and input on its sites' accessibility at each development phase. Please contact our Call Center at 888.655.0777 or submit feedback to Communications@PhalenAcademies.org if you encounter an issue accessing any portion of the network's websites.