School Liaison guides families to a better future

Photo By Airman 1st Class Gavin Hameed | School Liaison Program managers also oversee Military Interstate Children’s Compact compliance, which provides the opportunity to accept similar course work that was completed at the previous school. There are more than 90 school liaison program managers at installations across the Department of the Air Force with each responsible for all students, including those geographically dispersed but assigned to the installation (U.S. Air Force courtesy graphic)  

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, KS, UNITED STATES

11.08.2022

Story by Airman Gavin Hameed 

22nd Air Refueling Wing

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – Military children face many school-related challenges, with constant moving and readjusting to new environments and people; the Department of the Air Force School Liaison Program managers help families with the transition to their new installation.

School Liaison Program managers focus on the three main objectives – advising command teams and helping drive change in the community, serving as ambassadors and building partnerships and advocating for the needs of military-connected students.

“I offer an array of services and resources to support students, parents, installation leadership, schools, and the surrounding community,” said Gregory D. Martin, McConnell’s School Liaison Program Manager. “As the SLPM, I serve as the primary point of contact for Pre-K thru 12th grade school related matters.”

There are more than 90 school liaison program managers at installations across the Department of the Air Force with each responsible for all students, including those geographically dispersed but assigned to the installation.

“Through strong education-community partnerships, School Liaisons are a strong voice for military families in the areas of legislation advocacy, policy review, joint service education initiatives, scholarship and grant resources, Impact Aid and the Military Family Life Counseling Program,” said Lori Phipps, the Department of the Air Force School Liaison Program manager at the Air Force Services Center.

According to the Department of the Air Force Child and Youth Programs, SLP managers also oversee Military Interstate Children’s Compact compliance, which provides the opportunity to accept similar course work that was completed at the previous school. They also monitor compliance with public laws mandating education and related services for military populations, and advocate on behalf of military students on various boards, networks and committees at the local and national levels.

For leadership teams at installations, School Liaisons are there to help increase readiness, support retention and sustain the mission with deployment, homeschool and transition support for families. School Liaisons are also up to date on local laws and policies to help families understand school choices and even assist with higher-education options like Junior ROTC, internships and mentoring opportunities.

“I work hard at building those educational partnerships within the school communities with superintendents, teachers, counselors, support staff, military family life counselors etc.,” Gregory said. “I make it a point to work with other base helping agencies in providing quality programming, resources and services in supporting our military families.”

For more information about the School Liaison Program at McConnell visit www.refuelmcconnell.com/school-liaison or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087603274031

• Date Taken: 11.08.2022
• Date Posted: 11.08.2022 17:19
• Story ID: 432929
• Location: MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, KS, US