MILITARY CHILD EDUCATION COALITION® ANNUAL REPORT

COLLEGE WORK LIFE

SERVING THE CHILDREN OF THOSE WHO SERVE US ALL WHO SERVE THE CHILDREN OF THOSE SERVING 2020 ANSWERING THE CALL OF MILITARY FAMILIES DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC ®

© 2021 MILITARY CHILD EDUCATION COALITION® MCEC TM ®

2 2020 ANNUAL REPORT MCEC TM 3

OUR MISSION MCEC supports all military-connected children by educating, advocating, and collaborating to resolve education challenges associated with the military lifestyle.

OUR VISION Every military-connected child is college-, work-, and life-ready.

OUR GOALS

Military-connected children’s academic, social and 01 emotional needs are recognized, supported and appropriate responses provided. Parents, and other supporting adults, are empowered 02 with the knowledge to ensure military-connected children are college, workforce and life-ready. A strong community of partners is committed to 03 support an environment where military-connected children thrive. ®

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Contents

01 Message from the Chairman and CEO

02 2020 Accomplishments

03 A National Voice

Board of Directors, National Advisory 04 Committee, & Science Advisory Board

05 Programs

06 Instructional System Design

07 External and Internal Overview Celebrating 22 years of education, advocacy, and collaboration as the 08 Memberships only nonprofit solely focused on the educational needs of military- 09 Investment Partners connected kids

10 Collaborations

11 Financial Reports (Unaudited) ®

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» As the nation’s premier organization » We also elevated our role as a national supporting the educational needs of advocate for military-connected children military-connected children, MCEC® is by testifying before Congress on challenges keenly aware that school is often a challenge faced by military families who have children Message from the even in a normal year. with special needs. » A military-connected child can expect » Additionally, we received accreditation Chairman & CEO to move 6 to 9 times from kindergarten by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance for our through high school graduation, with proven commitment to sound governance, approximately 200,000 students transparency, and achievement of mission. transitioning to a new school in any given » We continue to attract and retain a year. When the pandemic struck, we knew talented workforce, and our leadership immediately that we needed to go above remains strong and committed. Our success and beyond to reach these children and the would not have been possible without parents and educators who support them. the philanthropic contributions of donors » We were already preparing to move who invested $3.8 million to support our many of our offerings online to make more mission. We continued to be honored by programming available to families and their faith in us. educators. The hard push we gave during » As an organization with 22 years of the pandemic steered our efforts to provide experience and a delivery model born of an updated delivery model at a critical time. research-based programming, this was our » As we went virtual, we also pivoted to moment. Everyone remained committed provide the quality training and support to going the extra mile for our nation’s that parents, students, educators, and military-connected children and families. administrators needed most. Some of our We offer our gratitude to the entire MCEC significant impacts included: family. » Establishing the Navigating Change » webinar series to assist education » With deepest appreciation, professionals through distance learning platforms; » Creating our Spanish-speaking parent educator team » Providing books and learning kits to military families quarantined in temporary housing; » Conducting 2 virtual Frances Hesselbein Student Leadership Programs; » Developing and distributing the Military Kids NOW Education Survey which gleaned 5,100 responses and provided Cecil Haney Dr. Becky Porter a rich source of information to inform Chairman President and CEO the content of our programs and future planning; Admiral, USN (Ret) » Executing the first all-virtual MCEC Education Summit As the national advocate for the Purple Star School (PSS) initiative, we conducted An investment in knowledge extensive outreach, built awareness, and offered our support in starting and will always pay the best interest sustaining PSS throughout the U.S. 01 - Benjamin Franklin ®

8 2020 ANNUAL REPORT Accomplishments Accomplishments MCEC TM 9 2020 Accomplishments 02

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT » Redesigned Student 2 Student® training in to a virtual format to support more than 500 S2S ™ programs in the U.S. and Europe » Recognized 9 school districts (from across 34 states and 12 countries) as part of the S2S™ Team of the Year event during the 2020 Education Summit » Developed the Summer Sustainment Webinar series; elevated programs from S2S school districts in Burkburnett, Texas, and Sigonella, Italy » Transformed the Frances Hesselbein Student Leadership Program™ into a virtual format at West Point and the U.S. Air Force Academy » Incorporated survey findings and analysis into the 2020 Education Summit; supported PARENT SUPPORT discussions on academic and social-emotional concerns; provided immediate results » Transitioned to a near-100% virtual delivery model; adapted all in-person workshops to for parents and education leaders to infuse into academic processes accommodate parents and at-home learning requirements » Developed analysis dashboard for quantitative metrics assessment that paved the » Created a new Spanish-speaking delivery model led by a bilingual parent educator way for comprehensive analysis of organizational impact across all delivery platforms team who conducted workshops and translated all applicable resources in Spanish » Piloted SchoolQuest™, a free online, interactive tool specially designed to support highly TELLING OUR STORY mobile military families preparing for transitions and managing school transitions » Reached new benchmarks for communication: increased website views by 43%, social media reach an average of 35%, and listserve open rate by 32% PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT » Leveraged national media coverage with the Military Times, CBS News, The 74, and » Converted all 9 six-hour courses into virtual trainings and 1-hour modules that enhanced Stars and Stripes; 84 online articles and 420 editorial mentions shared 120K times; viewing options and offered flexibility surpassed annual goal, earned $6.6 million in advertising equivalency value. » Developed and introduced the Navigating Change Virtual Learning Series, 6 one- hour sessions with immediate support strategies for implementing remote instruction HUMAN RESOURCES via home-based learning » Established the Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity and Belonging task force which shaped discussion and organization’s positioning in response to worldwide racial divide MILITARY STUDENT CONSULTING » Conducted employee survey to gather feedback on barriers and facilitators to » Launched the Military Student Consultant service center which provided immediate, organizational success personalized concierge-type support to students, parents, and school professionals worldwide » Developed and implemented the What You Do Matters employee recognition initiative designed to raise morale and highlight employees who exceed in making a difference » Served as liaisons between military-connected families, schools, and communities, easing transitions by addressing problems and connecting them with resources

INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS DESIGN » Developed and released 2020 MCEC MilKids NOW Education Survey, receiving 5,100 responses from military-connected students, parents, and educational professionals from all 50 states, 2 territories, and 21 countries ®

10 2020 ANNUAL REPORT NATIONAL VOICE NATIONAL VOICE MCEC TM 11

A National Voice

MCEC continues to be a national leader in advancing policies, programs, and initiatives that help our nation’s military-connected Shared Valuable Findings children become college-, work-, and life- ready. Nearly 2,000,000 military-connected from MCEC’s 2020 Military children serve alongside their parents, Kids NOW Education Survey coping with numerous school, community, and family transitions. The survey received more than 5,100 responses from all 50 states, THE NATIONAL ADVOCATE FOR PURPLE 21 countries, and 2 territories. STAR SCHOOLS This year, MCEC positioned itself as the national advocate for the Purple Star The responses reflected the School (PSS) initiative and as the premier strength and commitment resource for information on starting of military families while also and sustaining a PSS program. Schools are awarded the PSS designation when highlighting continuing gaps in they have shown proven commitment to services, school transitions, and supporting military-connected children fears about life after high school. as they relocate to new schools due to a parent’s change in duty station. PSS programs are initiated and run by states or MCEC is using the survey findings individual school districts. Until MCEC took to deepen its understanding of the lead, there was no national initiative ongoing education challenges for to encourage states to become actively military-connected students and involved. MCEC offered full support to state, to recalibrate initiatives to better as well as schools and districts, seeking the resources and training needed to achieve serve the military community. PSS designation. In strengthening its leadership role, MCEC: This project was MCEC’s first » Engaged the Center for Public large-scale qualitative research Research and Leadership at Columbia project, and data analysis was University (CPRL) to conduct a study independently verified by Texas of the PSS programs across several states which analyzed the benefits A&M University-Central Texas. of the programs and made recommendations for refinement and building awareness. The report was released in Jan. 2021 » Created a Purple Star Schools landing page on the MCEC website reflecting CONTINUED ON PG. 12 03 NATIONAL VOICE NATIONAL VOICE ® 12 2020 ANNUAL REPORT MCEC TM 13

MCEC as the complete resource on PSS » MCEC overview of programs, children with special needs, testified » Launched a targeted awareness initiatives, and resources and how before the House Armed Services campaign to school administrators to implement them at the local level Subcommittee on Military Personnel and educators across public, charter, » Informational break-out sessions: to advocate for improvements in the military’s Exceptional Family Member and private schools, resulting in 19 • Adapting to a virtual learning environment; additional states contacting MCEC with Program and the services provided by an interest in starting a program • Supporting a resilient military family; public and charter schools. » Amplified MCEC’s thought-leadership • Family-school partnerships for » In December, MCEC signed a through a series of commentaries students with exceptionalities; Memorandum of Understanding with provided by MCEC President and CEO • MCEC spotlight on SchoolQuest; Partners in PROMISE for the purpose of producing a Special Education Issue Dr. Becky Porter. The commentaries • Purple Star Schools Designation Initiative; reached education policy makers Paper identifying challenges faced by across the country through • Implementing the Military Interstate military families who have children with publications such as Military Times Children’s Compact Commission. special needs; an overview of federal review of military programs for » Hosted a town hall event in October » Master classes included: families; relevant new provisions in the with a panel of state education • Keeping Students on Track During 2021 National Defense Authorization Act; administrators from Texas, Virginia, the Pandemic, led by College Board; and recommendations for more assistance and Ohio with 295 attendees, which in support of students and families. generated conversation on launching • Surge Capacity and Depletion in the and maintaining a PSS program Time of COVID-19: Promotin Resilience; ADVOCACY AT LEADERSHIP EVENTS » Produced a PSS issue paper describing • Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint the program and its immense value to Chiefs of Staff, his wife, Hollyanne Milley, MCEC actively participated in a number of military families and senior military leaders from across important military leadership events in 2020, the services, discussing issues affecting using these opportunities to raise awareness military-connected students as identified 2020 MCEC EDUCATION SUMMIT of issues facing military-connected children in the 2020 Education Survey. while offering the organization’s knowledge The 2020 Education Summit in November and expertise. served as a powerful and timely opportunity WORKING ON BEHALF OF MILITARY These engagements included: to report and share the academic and CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS social-emotional findings of the 2020 » The Secretary of Defense Education Survey through presentations MCEC recognizes the added complexities Nonprofit Roundtable; and discussions with 1,000 attendees. In faced by military families transitioning » The U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force response to the pandemic, many sessions into new schools with a child who has VSO/MSO & NFE Conference Summits; special needs. Federal review of military were geared toward family educational The Department of Defense State Liaison support programs found inadequacies » concerns, managing distance learning, and Office Education Issues Workshop; professional development topics supporting and inconsistencies among the branches military-connected students. of the military. Many families stated special » The MIC3 Annual Business Meeting. education policies and programs often The summit’s seminars, classes, interactive differ between schools, that they are unable sessions, and thought-leadership to maintain continuous services for their opportunities covered topics including: child, and there are often few options for » Presentation of the 2020 Education information or legal support. NOW Survey findings by Dr. Mitchell During 2020, MCEC began a shared Zais, former deputy secretary of the advocacy and leadership role on this issue: U.S. Department of Education, and Dr. Marc Brackett, director of the Yale » In February, MCEC President and Center for Emotional Intelligence and CEO Dr. Becky Porter and Partners professor in Yale University’s Child in PROMISE, an advocacy organization Study Center representing military families with BOARD MEMBERS BOARD MEMBERS ® 14 2020 ANNUAL REPORT MCEC TM 15

Board of Directors, NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Ms. Charlene Austin Colonel (Ret) and Mrs. Anthony R. Hernandez (Jennifer) The Honorable Valerie Baldwin General (Ret) James T. Hill and Dr. Toni Hill Ms. Patricia “Tosh” Barron National Advisory Committee, Lieutenant General (Ret) and Mrs. William Ingram (Lil) The Hon. Carolyn H. Becraft Ms. Marianne Ivany General (Ret) and Mrs. B. B. Bell (Katie) Ms. Holly Jones Major General (Ret) Charles F. Bolden, Jr. & Science Advisory Board Mr. Gary Knell Mr. Scott Bousum General (Ret) and Mrs. Leon J. LaPorte (Judy) Dr. Chuck Brooks General (Ret) and Mrs. Craig McKinley (Cheryl) The Hon. John Carter and Mrs. Carter (Erika) Mr. Drayton McLane, Jr. General (Ret) and Mrs. George Casey (Sheila) BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lieutenant General (Ret) and Mrs. Thomas Metz (Pam) General (Ret) and Mrs. Peter Chiarelli (Beth) Major General (Ret) and Mrs. Paul Mock (Karen) Lieutenant General (Ret) and Mrs. Kurt Cichowski (Laura) Dr. Robert Muller OFFICERS MEMBERS EMERITI Dr. Dan Domenech General (Ret) and Mrs. Richard Myers (Mary Jo) Ms. Lea Ann Edwards Admiral (Ret) Cecil Haney, Chairman Cathryn Franks The Honorable James Peake and Mrs. Peake (Janice) Lieutenant General (Ret) and Mrs. Phil Ford (Kris) Barbara Day, Vice Chair/Treasurer Brigadier General (Ret) Robert Gaylord General (Ret) Dennis J. Reimer General (Ret) Tommy R. Franks Brigadier General (Ret) Earl Simms, Vice Chair/Secretary General (Ret) Benjamin Griffin Mr. Reginald Robinson Vice Admiral (Ret) and Mrs. William French (Monika) Major General (Ret) Robert Ivany, PhD, Vice Chair William Harrison, EdD Mr. Gilbert Sanborn Ms. Regina Pedigo Galvin Kathy Killea, Vice Chair Lieutenant General (Ret) Donald Jones Dr. Stefanie Sanford The Honorable Pete Geren Patricia E. Lester, MD, Vice Chair Mary M. Keller, EdD General (Ret) and Mrs. Norton Schwartz (Suzie) Mr. Roy Gibson James Mitchell, EdD Mr. James H. Shelton III The Honorable Robert L. Gordon III Kathleen O’Beirne Ms. Barbara A. Thompson Major General (Ret) Gus L. Hargett, Jr. MEMBERS Robert Ray Lieutenant General (Ret) George J. Trautman III Mary Jo Reimer Dr. Alissa E. Harrison Gina Allvin Dr. P. Uri Treisman Sandy Schwartz Mr. David G. Henry, JD Laura Aquilino Mr. and Mrs. Robert Utley (Ann) General (Ret) Thomas A. Schwartz Rear Admiral (Ret) and Mrs. Leendert Hering (Sharon) René Carbone Bardorf The Honorable Rosemary Freitas Williams Patricia Shinseki Patrick J. Bingham, PhD Lieutenant General (Ret) H. G. Taylor Renee Bostick Zoe Trautman Cortez Dial, EdD SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD Joyce Ward The Honorable Chet Edwards Lucy Reilly Fitch OFFICERS MEMBERS Robert Grimesey, Jr., EdD Anne Haston Colonel (Ret) Stephen J. Cozza, MD, US Army, Co-Chair Ron Avi Astor, PhD Barbara Flora Livingston Patricia E. Lester, MD, Co-Chair Sarah L. Friedman, PhD Mary Claire Murphy Colonel Eric M. Flake, MD, FAAP, US Air Force Kenneth R. Ginsburg, MD, MSEd Edward Van Buren Richard M. Lerner, PhD Leanne K. Knobloch, PhD Eric Waldo, JD Ronald S. Palomares-Fernandez, PhD Colonel (Ret) Keith M. Lemmon, MD, FAAP, US Army Rebecca I. Porter, PhD, President/CEO Paula K. Rauch, MD Jacqueline V. Lerner, PhD Gregory A. Leskin, PhD Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, PhD Ann S. Masten, PhD, LP Michael D. Matthews, PhD 04 Daniel F. Perkins, PhD ®

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®

MCEC TM Delivers

Our ongoing commitment to provide all military-connected students, parents, and education professionals with viable resources and sustainable solutions 05 MCEC PROGRAMS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT ® 18 2020 ANNUAL REPORT MCEC TM 19

Student Achievement Student 2 Student™ STEM Event REACH & IMPACT There are 549 active S2S programs The one-day online STEM in schools across 36 states and 11 gaming event offered students countries. These programs are led interactive competition to help Overall reach, including support for new students and by 989 sponsors and 3,409 them become college-, work-, and training of students and adult sponsors to create S2S trained student leaders. life-ready. 115,146 programs at their schools. 114,372 Total lives impacted through S2S peer-to-peer support.

Number of newly trained students and adults in 49 688 schools around the world New NewWebinars S2S Handbook MCEC created 3 new webinars as A complete resource tool was part of the Summer developed to provide useful guidance Sustainment Series and and program ideas for all faculty partnered to host 3 additional new sponsors and webinars for S2S programs. student leaders.

Future Plans Leadership MCEC continues providing MCEC’s Frances Hesselbein additional online training Student Leadership Program and webinars to offer greater provided advanced leadership flexibility in scheduling, training to 86 students training, and support. from 29 schools. ®

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STUDENT 2 STUDENT By August, many schools were ready to resume training; between August and MCEC’s Student 2 Student® (S2S™) December, the team delivered virtual program fulfills an important role in training in 9 elementary schools, 6 helping military-connected students middle schools, and 3 high schools. adjust to a new school culture. In these school-based, peer-to-peer programs, students mentor in-coming students, PUTTING STUDENT LEADERSHIP FIRST help them establish social connections MCEC’s Frances Hesselbein Student and encourage academic achievement. Leadership Program has proven to be S2S programs bring value to the a valuable opportunity for students entire school community by fostering in S2S programs seeking advanced a culture of inclusion and offering leadership training. Students selected opportunities for student leadership. for the program participate in one week Key to the success of these programs of training, at either the United States is ensuring that younger students are Military Academy West Point in NY, or trained to replace students as they the United States Air Force Academy in transition or graduate. Colorado Springs, CO. MCEC also offers the Frances Students are taught by faculty or senior Hesselbein Student Leadership cadets and participate in hands-on Program™, a biannual opportunity for leadership activities. In 2020, the team S2S students to participate in a week- successfully transitioned to the virtual long leadership training at either the training of 86 students from 29 schools. United States Military Academy West Point in the fall or the United States Air Sponsored by PAE, student teams were Force Academy in the spring. required to submit a service project proposal as part of their application. 20 schools applied, with a total of 77 RAPID TRANSITION TO ONLINE students and 6 adult sponsors selected. TRAINING IN RESPONSE TO COVID During the online training, MCEC joined the West Point faculty in teaching the Once the pandemic required schools selected student teams project planning to adopt distance-learning, the team and implementation to select student paused training to allow schools time teams. The students were tasked STEM ONE-DAY GAMING EVENT NEW WEBINARS to adjust to the new educational with working on their projects until The MCEC team continued the MCEC created three new webinars challenges. This necessitated cancelling May 2021, updating the MCEC team tradition of student-oriented events for the Summer Sustainment Series. 50 trainings scheduled for March and periodically and receiving funds by hosting an exciting one-day online The first two provided students and April along with the MCEC student to continue their projects. STEM gaming event in November, sponsors with guidance for supporting jamboree, a planned 25-school event which was open to students students. The third webinar consisted in Texas. throughout the nation. Participating of a sponsors’ roundtable hosted by the Although many S2S students were students gained computer skills and MCEC team that allowed adult faculty to able to continue supporting each other game designing tools to help them share ideas on welcoming new students during distance-learning, the Student become more college-, work-, and life- and sustaining S2S programs. Programs team immediately recognized ready. The event was made possible Thanks to a generous grant by USAA, the need to move S2S training online thanks to a partnership with AT&T and the team partnered to produce three to ensure schools could continue their Games for Change, a nonprofit that more webinars in the fall, including a programs. By April, they had begun empowers game creators and social timely session dedicated to anxiety and successfully moving all training into a innovators to drive real-world impact. depression in teens. virtual format. The team continued to partner with S2S schools during this time, providing coaching in preparation for the S2S online training. ®

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27,452 + 13,241 = 40,693 Parent Support DIRECT INDIRECT TOTAL REACH REACH & IMPACT

EMPOWERING PARENTS To date, the team has converted 66 workshops to a virtual format. Parent Workshops are the heart The team also re-designed of Parent Support. MCEC trains workshops into 10-15-minute parent educators to work in teams segments to allow parents to to conduct interactive workshops spread attendance over a period for other military-connected of time. The team held virtual parents in military communities. training events for new parent In support of these educators, educators in June and July. During MCEC maintains a catalog of the MCEC Education Summit 100 workshops (including lesson 2020, parent educators facilitated plans and materials) covering break-out sessions and presented a wide range of topics relevant multiple webinars. to military-connected families. During the sessions, participants are encouraged to share practical PARENT EDUCATOR TEAM ideas, proven techniques, EN ESPANOL and resources with the group. Parent educator teams maintain The two-person team conducts individual Facebook pages to all communication with provide additional information for military-connected families in parents and to promote future Spanish.They translate learning opportunities. parent-focused curriculum and marketing flyers, social media posts, and presents live parent A VIRTUAL DELIVERY MODEL education workshops weekly. In March, Parent Support began The workshops are posted and training parent educators to live streamed over the team’s 300,000 transition their workshops into Facebook page.They partner The total number of parents a virtual format using Facebook regularly with the Esposas Militares who have attended a Parent Live, Webex, or the MCEC Hispanas USA Armed Forces. Workshop since 2006 website. The team simultaneously created virtual versions of all workshop visual aids, educator guides, and lesson plans. ®

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SCHOOLQUEST Thanks to a generous grant by USAA, MCEC continued to fine-tune SchoolQuest™, a free online, interactive tool specially designed to support highly mobile military families and students. The PARENT WEBINARS preliminary tool was launched on a limited basis MCEC provided live weekly webinars tailored for in March 2020 to allow MCEC the opportunity to military-connected parents which offered topics gather feedback from users. This information was on a variety of subjects and archived completed used to further refine the functions to ensure the sessions to allow parents to view them at their tool is comprehensive and user-friendly. The final convenience. version was launched April 1, 2021. SchoolQuest TELL ME A STORY includes the following components: The MCEC Tell Me A Story® (TMAS) early literacy » Academic Tracer - Allows users to monitor and program helps military children aged 4-12 build plan a student’s academic career progress from resiliency and family connections while discovering 6th to 12th grade. the rewarding aspects of reading. working on critical » Student Profile - A function that automatically reading skills. TMAS events focus on a parent and compiles important details and deadlines tailored child listening to a guest reader and then joining a to each student. guided discussion led by parent educators. Families » Reminders & Notifications - Allows users to set receive supplementary activities related to the story reminders for important deadlines and receive in addition to a personal copy of the book. MCEC automatic and timely notifications. has worked with community partners to bring TMAS » Personalized Checklists - Student-specific information compiled into accessible lists that are available by grade level. » GreatSchools Search Function - Allows users to research and aggregate potential schools before a PCS to a new community.

WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT (WWP) PARTNERSHIP MCEC placed four Military Parent Advocate Coordinators (MPACs) near Soldier Readiness Units, Community Care Units, Intrepid Spirit Centers, and Fisher Houses, sponsored by WWP. MPACs lead workshops focused on the social and emotional issues faced by children of service members who are ill, injured, or wounded. MPAC locations include: Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune, NC; Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA; and Camp Pendleton, CA.

MCEC PODCAST MCEC expanded the podcast platform to include 52 weeks of programming which resulted in 8,957 downloads 19,500 listeners globally. ®

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Military Student Consulting

REACH & IMPACT

14,184 1,572 43 Military Student Transition Military Student Transition Military Student Consultant Direct Reach Affiliate Direct reach Consultant Direct Reach

Transition Support for Transition Support for Indirect Reach for 2,998 individuals 521 individuals 392 individuals Problem Solving Support Problem Solving Support for 5,740 students & parents for 438 students Transition support for 16 individuals Problem Solving Support Problem Solving Support for 589 school personnel 276 parents Problem solving support Problem Solving Support Problem Solving Support for 27 individuals for 1,213 community 143 school personnel, 18 members and installation community members and representatives 9 base representatives

MSTCs make strong connections with MSTCs also connect families to School military-connected families by: Liaison Officers (SLOs), the Exceptional » meeting with students; Family Member Program (EFMP), and CYSS (Child and Youth School Ages Never underestimate the difference » advising on educational resources Services). They provide professional and requirements; YOU can make in the lives of others. development training to help inform » distributing welcome and exit packages; and educate school personnel on issues Step forward, reach out, and help » supporting student-led virtual events; impacting military-connected students. - Pablo » attending special education meetings There are 13 MSTCs in 9 school districts, alongside military-connected families. across 6 states (LA, NC, CO, VA, AL, TX).

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28 2020 ANNUAL REPORT MCEC PROGRAMS MSTC PROGRAMS MCEC TM 29

OUTREACH DURING THE PANDEMIC to campus. and dedicated Facebook pages; hosting LIBRARY INITIATIVE Facebook LIVE interviews; using The MSTC and MSTA programs became Some schools and their districts only Thanks to a generous grant from USAA, allowed in-person learning on certain days, Webex and creating bitmoji and Google even more vital during the pandemic. Classrooms to meet with students and MSTC/As set up a system of lending Families faced relocation into communities further limiting the MSTC/A’s access to libraries for military families and students school facilities. MSTC/As rapidly pivoted families; running student-led virtual in upheaval, Permanent Change of scavenger hunts; hosting podcasts; within their communities. When PCS orders Station (PCS) delays left many families in to online outreach and increased personal were delayed by the pandemic, many one-to-one contact to ensure they reached sending personal emails and handwritten temporary housing, and numerous schools postcards, and making phone calls to military families were placed in temporary had moved to distance-learning models. every transitioning family. They also housing and were in great need of books reached out to state, district and local parents and students. Traditional avenues of information and For locations that had been in full distance and activities for children and teens. The representatives to work collaboratively libraries were designed with military- community-building were curtailed by and provide needed support to military- learning since March 2020, MSTC/As the need for social distancing and remote provided “survival kits” or robust welcome connected readers in mind and included connected students, parents, educators, books, resources, and learning tools. interaction. MSTC/As explored innovative and other youth-serving professionals. kits to incoming military students. techniques to reach military students and Highlights of the MSTC COVID-19 effort their parents who were not able to return included creating virtual newsletters MILITARY STUDENT CONSULTANTS Thanks to a generous grant from USAA, MCEC launched the Military Student Consultant (MSC) service center. MSCs provide personalized transition, problem-solving, and deployment support for students, parents and school professionals globally. MSC services include: » connecting students and parents to support and resources in their local school district; » addressing the needs of National Guard, reserve, ROTC cadre, and recruiter families who are often located in low-density military communities; » providing support to children with special needs and assisting in the navigation of the school special education process; » connecting families to the installation School Liaison Officers and installation programs. ®

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Professional Development 3,725 REACH & IMPACT TRAINING EVENTS

Professional Development offers 11 courses. 9 courses are delivered in person or virtually, and 2 are available online. Every course is designed to help professionals in education, healthcare, childcare, and business better understand the challenges of military-connected students and families, and provide the information and tools to support them. The following 6 courses focus on the needs of military-connected students: 6,659 » Military-connected students INDIRECT REACH » The children of veterans » Social-Emotional learning issues » Mental health issues » Children with parents in the National 10,384 Guard and reserve TOTAL REACH » Children with special needs

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32 2020 ANNUAL REPORT MCEC PROGRAMS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES MCEC TM 33

The 2 online offerings consist of COLLABORATING TO ADDRESS an 8-hour course providing guidance NEW CHALLENGES on supporting military-connected PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM COURSES 2020 The team piloted a new Professional children when a parent returns from VIRTUAL COURSES deployment and a 6-hour course on Learning Group program in Alabama, promoted through the MCEC network ways to help children develop resilience MILKID 101: MILITARY STUDENT MKMH 101: MIXED EMOTIONS and personal goals. of schools, partners, and past program participants. The MCEC-hosted groups FOUNDATIONS OF REINTEGRATION met virtually for one-hour sessions to Helps professionals define and Unique and helpful strategies RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC facilitate professional collaboration, understand the complex challenges for successful adjustment and networking, resource sharing, and military-connected student experience reestablishment of routines following The Professional Development team a family member’s return after an immediately converted its 9 in-person discussion of emerging trends and issues impacting education. MILKID 201: REDUCING THE IMPACT extended absence. courses into virtual trainings which still OF TRANSITION consist of six hours of instruction. This In response to an identified need, Focuses on the dynamics and MKMH 201: THE NEW NORMAL gave participants the option of breaking MCEC developed a new Social-Emotional implications of transition, specifically The impact of grief and loss on a child, the trainings into one-hour segments Learning Mini-Series (SEL Mini-Series) in the core areas of academics, fostering resilience through positive that can be viewed at their convenience. which provided the following significant relationships, and prosocial behavior psychology, coping with change, benefits: post-traumatic stress, and responding Participants from different parts of MILKID 201: PATHWAY TO A S.P.A.R.C. to challenges NEW NAVIGATING CHANGE SERIES » Research-informed practices associated the state were able to connect, NGR 101: WE SERVE TOO This set of 6, one-hour trainings are share resources, network, and learn with the concept of thriving and how to help students identify their Strength, The unique challenges associated with designed for novice and experienced from others doing similar work. a parent’s service and the academic educators, with each session focused on Potential, Aspirations, Resourcefulness, Professionals with less experience impact for these part-military, part- a particular distance-learning challenge, » and Confidence were given new opportunities civilian children and youth including: to interact with more seasoned VETC 201: SCHOOL TRANSITION » Supporting students to create professionals and government The unique academic and social- EXMK 101: SUPPORTING EXCEPTIONAL routines; personnel; emotional challenges children often MILKIDS The challenges unique to military- » Maintaining connections with The series was highly accessible face when their parents transition from » military to civilian life connected children with special needs, students; for professionals who would have common pitfalls encountered when » Promoting positive behaviors; otherwise been hindered from SEL 201: THE MILITARY CHILD transitioning a student, and the power participation by lack of resources, » Facilitating distance learning; and Benefits of interrelated cognitive, of collaborative teamwork especially those in rural areas of affective, and behavioral competencies » Building student confidence. the state. such as self-awareness, self- The sessions highlight real-world MCEC teamed with the Multiple Needs management, social awareness, practical strategies for success, share Multiple Exceptionalities Network to relationship skills, and responsible developmentally-appropriate resources, develop and present a one-hour virtual decision making and offer guided practice using helpful learning session for Texas education exercises and tools. MCEC delivered all professionals statewide. 6 sessions during March and April to ONLINE COURSES MCEC also teamed with Texas OnCourse, offer immediate support to educators an education resource hub funded by and other professionals transitioning HELPING MILITARY CHILDREN THE JOURNEY FROM “WELCOME the University of Texas at Austin and DISCOVER THEIR S.P.A.R.C. HOME” TO NOW: REUNION, to distance learning. 768 participants the Texas Education Agency, to develop attended the live, one-hour sessions, Research-informed practices associated RECONNECTING, ROUTINE and present a one-hour virtual learning with the concept of thriving and how The challenges and joys that children and 2,039 additional professionals session for Texas professionals. viewed the recordings. to help students identify their Strength, face during a parent’s reintegration MCEC also teamed with the U.S. Army Potential, Aspirations, Resourcefulness, and positive strategies they can use to Reserve Command and the Building and Confidence support children during these periods Healthy Military Communities Program of change. in Albuquerque, NM, to develop and present a two-hour Facebook Live session addressing social emotional implications during COVID-19. ®

34 2020 ANNUAL REPORT MCEC PROGRAMS INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEM DESIGN MCEC TM 35 Instructional Systems Design

REACH & IMPACT Instructional System Design (ISD) MILKIDS NOW EDUCATION SURVEY oversees the design and development of MCEC’s learning programs and ISD took primary responsibility ensures that all program trainings for designing and developing the contain timely and evidence-based instrument. The project took more than content and meet MCEC’s exacting four months to develop and resulted in standards of instruction. To ensure 80 closed and open-ended questions. consistency and quality of curriculum The survey was distributed from Feb. 17 and content, ISD works with MCEC through May 7 and was shared through program managers to apply the multiple media outlets and directly with PADDIE-M process (Analysis, Design, military-connected parents with school- Development, Implementation, age children, military kids (aged 13 and and Evaluation) of all projects and over) and professionals. programs. The team updates and refreshes content by analyzing user The survey results and analysis became feedback and incorporating emerging the foundation for the MCEC Education research shared by the MCEC Science Summit 2020 and continue to inform Advisory Board. This proactive effort content and resources produced in the to adapt and evolve keeps training coming year. viable and valuable to professionals, educators and parents. NEW DATA DASHBOARD The ISD team gathered feedback and ESSENTIAL ROLE DURING measured the impact of trainings using THE PANDEMIC post-training surveys. When trainings ISD immediately curated content moved onto remote delivery platforms, to support educators and other the ISD team devised and implemented professionals serving military- a new data dashboard that now collects “The key to success is to appreciate how people learn, connected students. The result was data from across all MCEC programs. the new Navigating Change Virtual This change provides a more thorough understand the thought process, what works well, and Learning Series, consisting of 6 analysis of impact and effectiveness one-hour workshops featuring a variety and allows the team to continue a range of different ways of achieving goals.” - Tim Buff of resources and tools. The course enhancing program trainings. was delivered live in March and April, with recordings made available on the Navigating Change landing page on the MCEC website. 06 ®

36 2020 ANNUAL REPORT EXTERNAL & INTERNAL OVERVIEW MEMBERSHIP MCEC TM 37

External and MCEC® Membership Our growing community continues to strengthen the Internal Oversight voice and impact of the organization and its mission.

MCEC ensures the quality, integrity, and consistency of its programs, MCEC invites individuals, businesses, organizations, school districts, trainings, and services through rigorous oversight. colleges and universities, and military installations to become members of the coalition. Members receive benefits such as MCEC External oversight: quarterly eNewsletters and On The Move® digital magazine, and » Financial validation through the annual audit new or special topic publications provided electronically. Other » GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency Award, benefits, depending on type of membership, may include use of the highest level bestowed the MCEC logo, discounted registration fees for the annual National » The BBB Wise Giving Alliance accreditation Training Seminar, and or voting rights. During the past year, MCEC has enjoyed continued growth through Community memberships up to Champion Lifetime memberships, with over 77,964 friends Internal oversight: and members. MCEC membership continues to grow thanks to » Evaluation and guidance from MCEC’s 20-member volunteer the positive impact of its programs and outreach. Board of Directors, who bring a wealth of relevant experience from the military, professional, academic, and non-profit sectors » Guidance and evidence-based expertise from the MCEC Science Advisory Board, comprised of 15 volunteer professionals representing the fields of psychiatry, research, psychology, medicine, mathematics, public policy, and grief and loss specialties.

Over 77,964 friends and members 07 08 ®

38 2020 ANNUAL REPORT INVESTMENT PARTNERS INVESTMENT PARTNERS MCEC TM 39

Investment Partners THANK YOU 09

MCEC is thankful for the generosity of every donor who allow us to serve military-connected children and families and the professionals who support them. We are especially grateful for the support of our donors during the challenges and uncertainties of this past year. Always – but most certainly in 2020 – your support helped make a positive difference in the lives of military-connected children around the world.

» ADS » Micron Foundation » American Legion Child » Military Benefit Association Welfare Foundation » Oshkosh Corporation » Association Of Military Banks » PAE Of America » Raytheon Company » AT&T Foundation » Rumsfeld Foundation » BAE Systems » Sid W. Richardson Foundation » Boeing Company » Sierra Nevada Corporation » College Board » Star Charity Golf Classic » Craig Newmark Philanthropies » Strake Foundation » Defense Credit Union Council » Textron Inc. » HEB » University of Texas at Arlington » Hendrick Honda of Woodbridge » USAA & USAA Foundation » Lockheed Martin Corporation » Utley Education Foundation » Lockheed Martin Foundation » Veterans United Foundation » Lockheed Martin Space » Victory Capital Management » May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust » Wounded Warrior Project

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40 2020 ANNUAL REPORT COLLABORATIONS COLLABORATIONS MCEC TM 41

Collaborations

» Achieve Readiness, Penn State University » National Association of Veteran-Serving Organizations » Texas A&M University – Central Texas » ACT » Council of Chief State School Officers » National Association of Federally Impacted Schools » Texas Education Agency » Alabama Education Trust Fund » Council for Professional Recognition » National Association of State Directors of » Texas Elementary Principals & » Air Force Association » Data Quality Campaign Special Education Supervisors Association » America’s Promise Alliance » Deloitte Consulting LLP » National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement » Tufts University » American Association of Colleges for » Department of Defense Education Activity » Professional Collaborations » Tutor.com Teacher Education » Department of Veterans Affairs » 28 » United Through Reading » American Defense Communities » Education Commission of the States » The National Child Traumatic Stress Network » University of South Carolina, Department of Education » American Institute of Research » Elizabeth Dole Foundation » National Geographic » University of Southern California » American Red Cross » Enlisted Association of the National Guard » National Guard Bureau » Armed Forces Services Corporation of the U.S. (EANGUS) » National Math and Science Initiative » University of Texas at San Antonio » Armed Services YMCA » The Future of Children – Princeton University » National Military Family Association » USAA » Association of the U.S. Army » Florida Defense Support Task Force » National Parent Teacher Association » The USAA Foundation » AT&T Foundation » Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute » National Public Radio » U.S. Air Force » Blue Star Families » Google » Operation Homefront » U.S. Air Force Academy » Bob Woodruff Foundation » H-E-B » Operation Purple Camps » U.S. Army » Boys & Girls Clubs of America » Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation » The Professional Association » U.S. Coast Guard » Boys & Girls Club of Central Texas (HOBY) Hunt Institute » PsychArmor » U.S. Department of Defense » Center for Families and Military Family » Institute for Military and Veteran Families – » Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama » U.S. Department of Education Syracuse University Research Institute – Purdue University » Science Applications International Corporation » U.S. Marine Corps » Microsoft » Center for Public Research and Leadership » Sesame Workshop » U.S. Military Academy at West Point » Military Impacted Schools Association » Coalition for Military-Connected Student Success » Sid W. Richardson Foundation » U.S. National Guard » Military Families Advocacy Network » Collaborative for Student Success » Society for Research in Human Development » U.S. Navy » Military Families for High Standards » The College Board » Tennessee State Collaborative on » USO » Clarity Child Guidance Center » Military Kids Connect Reforming Education (TN-SCORE) » Virginia Department of Education » Clearinghouse for Military Family » Military Officers Association of America » Strategic Resources, Inc. » WGBH » Mission: Readiness » Strake Foundation » Wounded Warrior Project » Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors » ZERO TO THREE » Target Corporation » Texas A&M University, College of Education 10 and Human Development ®

42 2020 ANNUAL REPORT FINANCIAL REPORTS FINANCIAL REPORTS MCEC TM 43 Financial Reports 11 Revenues Expenses

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS TOTAL $5,054,813 Gross revenues totaled $5,415,408. Contributions and Fundraising Program & Services 2,648,870 (48.91%) The breakdown by category 4,129,620 Program services were of total is depicted in the pie chart. 82% expenses, while management and general The philanthropic effort was by and fundraising expenses represented 8% ar the largest source of revenue and 10%, respectively. As a result of the 82% for the organization. pandemic, the portion of program expenses to total expenses decreased from 85% in It increased to 49% 2019 to 82% in 2020. of total revenue in 2020 from 34% in 2019. CHANGE IN NET ASSETS At the close of 2020, net assets increased 8% $360,595, which marked the 4th consecutive 10% Miscellaneous year the organization ended the year with a 28,090 (.52%) positive change in net assets.

Membership Dues STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION Fundraising Management & General Service Contract 33,321 (.62%) MCEC ended 2020 with a cash balance of 498,647 426,546 2,523,172 (46.59%) $3.8M, which is an increase of 61% from 2019. Total liabilities increased to $1.6M from $1M in 2019. 79% of total liabilities consisted Products & Services of deferred revenue, related to advance 181,956 (3.36%) payment of contract execution, and the Payment Protection Program loan. As of January 28, 2021, the PPP loan, which was originally considered as long-term debt, was approved for 100% forgiveness from the 82¢ of every dollar spent is invested in programs & services. Small Business Administration. FINANCIAL REPORTS

MILITARY CHILD EDUCATION COALITION STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES & CHANGES IN NET ASSETS YEAR END 2020 (UNAUDITED)

» Unrestricted » Restricted » Total

» Revenues, Gains & Other Support » » » » » » » Service Contract Revenue » $ » 1,331,626 » $ » - » $ » 1,331,626 » Philanthropic Contract Revenue » $ » 1,191,546 » $ » - » $ » 1,191,546 » Contributions » $ » 274,070 » $ » 1,327,290 » $ » 1,601,360 » Membership Dues » $ » 33,321 » $ » - » $ » 33,321 » Conference Income » $ » - » $ » - » $ » - » Products and Services » $ » 181,956 » $ » - » $ » 181,956 » Grants » $ » 324,841 » $ » 706,000 » $ » 1,030,841 » Fundraising Events » $ » 16,669 » $ » - » $ » 16,669 » Interest and Dividends » $ » 25,661 » $ » - » $ » 25,661 » Miscellaneous Revenue » $ » 2,429 » $ » - » $ » 2,429 » Net Assets Releases from Restriction » $ » 1,142,381 » $» (1,142,381) » $ » - Total Revenues, Gains & Other Support $ 4,524,499 $ 890,909 $ 5,415,408 » Expenses » Program Services » Student Initiaitves » $ » 221,583 » $ » - » $ » 221,583 » Parent Initiatives » $ » 838,998 » $ » - » $ » 838,998 » Professional Development » $ » 379,955 » $ » - » $ » 379,955 » School Professionals » $ » 960,439 » $ » - » $ » 960,439 » Strategic Communications » $ » 565,428 » $ » - » $ » 565,428 » Products and Services » $ » 337,942 » $ » - » $ » 337,942 » Research » $ » 413,314 » $ » - » $ » 413,314 A hero is someone who has given his or » Website and Technology Reources » $ » 179,768 » $ » - » $ » 179,768 » Grants » $ » 88,222 » $ » - » $ » 88,222 her life to something bigger than oneself. » National Training Seminar » $ » 143,972 » $ » - » $ » 143,972 - Joseph Campbell Total Program Services $ 4,129,621 $ - $ 4,129,621 » Supporting Services » Management and General » $ » 426,546 » $ » - » $ » 426,546 » Fundraising » $ » 498,647 » $ » - » $ » 498,647 Total Expenses $ 5,054,814 $ - $ 5,054,814 » Change in Net Assets » $ (530,315) » $ 890,909 » $ 360,594 » Net Assets » Beginning of the Year » $ 2,848,892 » $ 802,419 » $ 3,651,311 » End of the Year » $ 2,318,577 » $ 1,693,328 » $ 4,011,905 ANNUAL REPORT ®

MCEC TM

WE CAN’T EXPECT MILITARY STUDENTS TO ASK FOR HELP. WE NEED TO LIFT THEM UP SO THEY DON’T HAVE TO. - Dr. Jill Biden First Lady of the United States

2020

Military Child Education Coalition 909 Mountain Lion Circle Harker Heights, TX 76548 (254) 953-1923 MilitaryChild.org