Massachusetts Charter Public School Association’s Post

The #Florida House and Senate declined to allocate $25,000 in funding for the Healthy Widowhood Project as part of their 2024-2025 budget appropriations, a decision that has been met with considerable disappointment. In contrast, initiatives aimed at supporting solo parents and solo fathers, including those in the military, have been granted millions in appropriations. This discrepancy highlights a concerning disparity: while support is available for military and civilian #widowers (male), civilian #widows (female and largest demographic) are left without similar resources. Widows to widowers are 4 to 1 in Florida. Despite being the sole FL #advocacy group pushing for widow support initiatives, our efforts—ranging from in-person meetings to extensive email campaigns directed at legislative representatives—have repeatedly been overlooked, even in the aftermath of a pandemic that has significantly increased the number of #widows. #widowadvocate #widowsupport

Hayley Ann Boswell ⭐️This hit me. Our eldest is onto her 7th school and all four of our children have faced challenges with their education due to being Defence Kidz. Thankfully, they have also thrived. As Defence families, we do not get to pick where we live. The amount of times some snarky person on the phone has said to me, "Why didn't you have them on the wait list from birth?" We, as Defence families, don't get that luxury. How about priority of placement for Defence Kidz in ALL childcare centres. Who needs respite more than a Defence spouse doing it solo? How about State School of CHOICE? We don't get to pick where we live, so how about allowing us to pick the State school that best suits our child regardless of catchment area? Small actionable outcomes that would give Defence families a little bit of power to determine the best educational outcomes for their children. These options are already available to at risk children, so the framework is there. How about our Defence Kidz?

Thanks SU Law.

What a SUPERB article! This is a perfect example of how research and advocacy by a small group of individuals can hilight - and change - history. We should ABSOLUTELY take this advice and commission the USS HENRY BREAULT!

Civic Duty: The Backbone of the UK The essence of our nation's resilience often goes unnoticed - rooted deeply in the dedication to civic and military duties by individuals in essential roles. Civic duty and service are the backbone of the UK, fortified by the unwavering commitment of local councillors, magistrates, school governors, charity trustees, special constables, and army reserves, each contributing uniquely to our society’s fabric. 🌟 Local Councillors: The Heartbeat of Our Communities 🌟 Councillors play a vital role in our lives, ensuring the smooth operation of critical local services that make our communities better places to live. From maintaining public parks to safeguarding our children's future through education, they are at the forefront of local governance and community improvement. ⚖️ Magistrates and Special Constables: Guardians of Law and Order ⚖️ The magistracy and special constables form the backbone of our justice system, embodying the spirit of civic duty. While magistrates oversee the junior courts, ensuring justice is served, special constables dedicate their time to policing our streets, providing crucial support to regular police forces. Together, they uphold the values of fairness and safety, which are integral to our society’s well-being. 🛡️ Army and Navy Reserves: The Defenders of Our Nation 🛡️ Army and Navy reserves stand as a testament to the spirit of protection and sacrifice, balancing civilian life with the readiness to defend the country at a moment’s notice. Their commitment is a demonstration of unity and national pride. Let us celebrate these pillars of civic duty and reflect on how we, too, can contribute to the betterment of our United Kingdom. 🌈 #CivicDuty #UKResilience #CommunityService #FinancialServices #PublicGood

Imagine a place where the silent sacrifices of military families are not only recognized but also actively supported. Where nature's tranquility heals, and the collective voice of a community advocates for the unseen and unheard. This is the story of the Betsy Eves Group—a narrative of how passion, when paired with purpose, can ignite a beacon of hope for military spouses, caregivers, and their families. But why does this work matter? Because behind every uniform, there is a family—a network of individuals whose love, resilience, and sacrifices underpin the very freedoms we cherish. Our efforts go beyond mere acknowledgment; they strive to ensure that these families are empowered, supported, and honored not just in words, but in every action we take. The challenges facing military families continue to evolve, and so too must our efforts to support them. Our annual letter is not just a reflection of what we've achieved but a clarion call to action. It's an invitation to join us in this mission of hope, healing, and empowerment. To stand with us as we advocate for change, nurture connections, and celebrate the unwavering spirit of our military families. Download and read our full 2024 Annual Letter today. Let it be a reminder of the impact we can achieve together, and the enduring power of a community united in purpose and compassion. https://lnkd.in/gHC2Q5Vm

Are you registered to vote? Do you have questions but don’t know who to ask or where to go to get answers? Maryland Corps/Service Year Option members get answers to their CIVIC LITERACY questions during their monthly training events. To learn more about Maryland Corps/Service Year Option and the many benefits of being a member, go to serve.maryland.gov today. #NationalVoterRegistrationDay #ServiceYearOption #MarylandCorps #ClimateCorps #CivicLiteracy

It's never too early to be thinking about #Juneteenth and how your organization can meaningfully observe the holiday. I shared some ideas and best practices on the Equity At Work blog:

Daniel, an Army Veteran, discovered Berry Law after extensive research. The firm's military background and dedication to veterans' rights resonated with him. Thanks to Berry Law's diligence, Daniel was awarded a 100% disability rating. He expresses heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the countless veterans Berry Law has helped. #VeteranDisabilityLaw #VeteranAdvocacy #MilitaryLawFirm #BerryLaw

Via tnsr.org: Speaking Out: Why Retired Flag Officers Participate in Political Discourse  Regardless, for scholars and practitioners who are concerned about the health of U.S. civil-military relations today — and who believe a norm against partisan non-involvement by retired officers is a key pillar of the military’s nonpartisan ethic more broadly — our findings are not reassuring. Recent years have seen retired general and flag officers (in the US) make a variety of political statements and campaign endorsements, sparking enormous controversy and debate among scholars about the fate of the military’s norm of nonpartisanship. Despite this, we have relatively little information about how they actually view those actions and norms more broadly — whether and when they view it as appropriate to speak out on domestic political matters. This article helps to fill that gap, through a unique survey of retired flag officers. The study reveals that, while there is broad agreement on the existence and necessity of a norm against retired officers engaging in partisan speech, there are considerable differences in views about the applicability of the norm and justifications for violating it. In addition, we find that a variety of personal, normative, and ethical factors weigh heavily on whether retired military members engage in activism. We evaluate these findings in the context of a novel framework for assessing norm robustness, concluding that norms against retiree political activism are heavily contested. tnsr.org