DANTES Information Bulletin (6) June 2020

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JUN

DANTES INFORMATION BULLETIN

2020

Download the MilEd Benefits Mobile App Today In this issue: MilEd Benefits Mobile App

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Hot News

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Troops to Teachers

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Contact Information

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DANTES Information Bulletin

Stay “In the Know” with the MilEd Benefits App Erin Roberts, Voluntary Education Enterprise Support DANTES

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nformed, Prepared, Ready, and Plugged-in… that’s what “In the Know” means. DANTES is excited to announce the release of its newest education tool, the “MilEd Benefits” Mobile App. The new app was created to educate service members on education benefits available to them. It was also created to help service education counselors and Voluntary Education (VolEd) community share the most up-to-date information about military education (MilEd) benefits with service members, in all Services, including the

Vol 633

National Guard, Reserve components, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

The MilEd Benefits mobile app is free and available to the public from the Apple and Google Play Stores. Most importantly though, it is free for all U.S. service members and provides easy access to military education benefits, offered by the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, the Military Services, and the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, also known as “DANTES”. http://www.dantes.doded.mil

MilEd Benefits App

App Benefits With the new app, service members can learn about education programs in the palm of their hand, whenever and wherever they have time‌ and we all know there can be plenty of time to learn while in the military. With simpleto-use eGuides and a user-friendly design, the MilEd Benefits app provides a one-stop shop to find no-cost education benefits that can help members during every stage of their military career -- during all types of training, preparing for military advancement, completing a college degree, and transitioning to civilian employment after military service.

The MilEd Benefits app makes it easy to start mapping out a plan to reach both career and education goals while using the no-cost military education benefits that every service member can take advantage of during their military service. Potential app users range from service members and their families to education counselors, career advisors, and Service leadership.

There’s a wide range of information to learn about, share and use.

DANTES Information Bulletin

Mobile App Navigation What’s New? The first section highlights the newest, most up-to-date, time-sensitive Information that service members and the VolEd community should know about. App notifications will share new education programs, upcoming webinars, training opportunities, and other program information that may be important for you to know. You can even download program documents and flyers to your mobile devices.

http://www.dantes.doded.mil

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MilEd Benefits App There are five sections currently available with more coming in the future: • • • • •

Air Force Army National Guard Coast Guard Marine Corps Navy

Service Member Education Blog: The education advice blog is provided to help a service member at every stage of their military career. The blog provides articles about the Defense, VA, and Service programs offered and offers more in depth information with direct access to the program websites.

DANTES Do you want to learn more about DANTES? Maybe you have questions and want answers quickly? On the app, this is the place to go.

eGuides: This section includes user-friendly pocket guides delivering a fully interactive experience on your smartphone or mobile device. There are six eGuides offered: DoD Education eGuides: • Your Education Journey with DANTES • Understanding Accreditation

About DANTES: • Mission and Vision • Education Programs Contact DANTES: • Contact Link • Facebook Messenger • Live Chat • Need Help?

• Search Option

VA Education eGuides: • Montgomery GI Bill – Active Duty • VA – Post-9/11 GI Bill and Other Education Benefits • VA Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35) • VA Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve Service-specific Education Program Information: Every service member knows that education plays a different role in your military career depending on the uniform you wear. Unlike the DoD and VA education programs, education opportunities vary throughout the Services. The MilEd Benefits mobile app provides the Services’ Voluntary Education (VolEd) communities and individual service members information on specific Service education and career planning resources.

DANTES Information Bulletin

http://www.dantes.doded.mil

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MilEd Benefits App DANTES Video Tutorials A mobile app wouldn’t be complete without videos. This section offers four “How To” videos and six “DANTES” program videos, with more coming in the future.

DANTES Education Counselor Tools This section is specifically for education counselors, career advisors, supervisors, and leadership. It has been designed to help the Services’ VolEd community of professionals assist service members with their career and education journey. You will find DANTES education program fact sheets, infographics, and other visual communication tools that can be easily downloaded and sent to an email right from your phone.

This section is being further developed and will offer many more tools in the future.

Learn more about the MilEd Benefits mobile app and download it today. Another tool in your toolbox, it is bound to deliver something new to use and share!

DANTES Website: https://www.dantes.doded.mil/Resources/MilEdBenefits.html App Flyer: https://www.dantes.doded.mil/documents/infographics/MilEd%20Benefits%20Mobile%20 App%20Flyer.pdf Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/miled-benefits/id1480568789 Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.quickseries.rca.dantes.MilEd

DANTES Information Bulletin

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Hot News

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

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e want to keep you updated on impacts to DANTES-sponsored programs and services during the evolving situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19). DANTES COVID-19 updates are available at https://www.dantes.doded.mil/Resources/ Covid-19.html.

The Academic Skills Training powered by Peterson’s is hosting a webinar.

Learn about Academic Skills Course Updates Join the DANTES/Peterson’s webinar on June 24, 9 am CT / 10 am ET.

The webinar will show VolEd personnel and service members about the new learning format for the Online Academic Skills Course (OASC) and College Placement Skills Training (CPST) course. Both have been updated and offer several new options to make learning easier and more engaging: -Certificates of completion for Service members -Student dashboards -Administrative dashboards -Improved personalized learning paths -Peer-to-peer message boards -New multimedia content (video & animation) DANTES Information Bulletin

-New Science content -New learning platform with enhanced user experience and intuitive navigation -Live monthly webinars And as always you can study ANYWHERE 24/7, 365 days a year. VolEd professionals and service members are encouraged to register for the webinar at: https://petersons. webex.com/petersons/onstage/g.php?MTID=ed38030af66d714416d798bd167deec9c

A Note from the College Board Team

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any benefits are available to advance the education and skills of service members and Veterans. One of these benefits is the Forever GI Bill - Veterans Educational Assistance Act. The Act will bring significant changes to Veterans education benefits and will allow more Veterans to use the GI Bill and more time to use it. Some of the changes will go into effect immediately, most will not.

The majority of the changes enhance or expand education benefits for service members, Veterans, and family members.

To learn more about the Forever GI Bill, visit https:// www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/forevergibill.asp http://www.dantes.doded.mil

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Troops to Teachers Helping Veterans Overcome Barriers to Success

Jamie Henderson, Grant Administrator, Troops to Teachers The Troops to Teachers (TTT) Program is a legislatively driven program developed to assist service members and veterans to successfully transition from the military into a classroom as a teacher. The program provides counseling, referral services, employment facilitation, and Case Manager assistance from the program registration process through employment facilitation and job placement.

The TTT program is supported by 31 state offices staffed by subject matter experts on individual state teacher certification and military/veteran benefits. They build strategic partnerships throughout their state with military and veteran organizations, state education and certification agencies, hiring officials, colleges/universities, and school districts in order to stay abreast of employment vacancies and new opportunities that might benefit TTT participants.

It is important for those assisting military members interested in transitioning into careers in K-12 education to understand the challenges they may face. When military members are pursuing certification and employment opportunities some of these challenges include: • Degree requirement completion before certification • Lengthy teacher certification requirements and state certification application processes • Lack of financial resources to pay for course tuition, application fees, and certification/licensure exams • Limited understanding of how military experience can be applied towards teacher certification and placement on school district pay scales The TTT state grant offices work diligently with state departments of education, as well as, numerous legislative personnel to reduce barriers that service members and veterans often face.

Below are some examples of how strategic TTT state partnerships help veterans: Alabama provides TTT participants with an expedited teacher certification application review. The state is also in the process of setting up a teacher shadow program for veterans to gain first-hand experience of the classroom teaching environment.

Florida supported negotiations to offer military educator certification fee waivers. All active duty personnel, regarless of residency, can receive instate tuition. If the military member or veteran is a recipient of a Purple Heart or combat decoration of higher precedence, they can receive a waiver of all tuition for their initial bachelor’s degree.

Hawaii allows service members and veterans who have completed their state-approved teacher education program to receive up to four years of military service credit towards higher step placement on school district salary schedules.

DANTES Information Bulletin

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Troops to Teachers Iowa has ensured that TTT participants have access to all educator certification pathways to include: Traditional Pathways, Fast-Track Teacher Intern Program, Career and Technical Authorization for substituting experience for education towards certification, and Community College Dual Credit Instruction, which waives licensure for instruction at the community college level.

Kansas supports military and veteran educator certification applications by waiving application fees, providing assistance and mentorship during the application process, as well as, offering licensure test preparation.

Michigan recognizes the hard work and commitment of military veterans by eliminating fees for educator licensure.

Missouri enacted the Returning Heroes’ Education Act, a Missouri law that requires public post secondary institutions to limit eligible combat veterans’ tuition to $50.00 per credit hour. This act is associated with any Missouri public institution of higher education, which receives state funds appropriated by the general assembly. Click here for more information https://dhewd. mo.gov/ppc/returningheroesact.php.

North Carolina passed the Corporal Pruitt Rainey Brass to Class Act to deliver a salary credit to veterans that become teachers. For every two years of leadership or instructor experience from the military, a member can get one year of credit on the state salary schedule. For a 20-year retiree, with 18 years of leadership experience, that equates to a $9,000 annual salary boost when becoming a teacher in North Carolina.

Review here for more information: https://www.dpi.nc.gov/educators/troops-toteachers/corporal-pruitt-rainey-brass-to-classact Ohio has several committees that work diligently to alleviate barriers for service members and veterans who transition from the military into the classroom as teachers. Additionally, they assist in removing barriers associated with educational success imposed on children of military families due to frequent moves and deployment of their parents.

Oklahoma offers free on-line study guides and limited free certification tests, expedited application processing, credit for active duty service members, free on-line educator tools, access to a statewide educator employment database, as well as mentoring services.

Overall, each legislative act, scholarship, or service provided by our state grant offices helps service members and veterans looking to become teachers. Each state office works tirelessly to help ensure those wanting to teach receive the best pathway with the fewest barriers when working to accomplish their teaching certification and licensure.

During the month of July, we are excited to showcase the many benefits and services the Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Virginia offices provide to Troops to Teachers participants.

DANTES Information Bulletin

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DANTES Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support

DANTES OCONUS European Advisor (Contingency Operation Support)

6490 Saufley Field Road, Pensacola, FL 32509 (850) 452-1901

DANTES_Outreach@navy.mil

011-49-611-143-511-1230

usarmy.badenwur.usareur.mbx.dantes-euro@ mail.mil

www.DANTES.DoDed.mil www.proudtoserveagain.com

DANTES INFORMATION BULLETIN

DANTES Information Bulletin The DANTES Information Bulletin is published monthly to inform education personnel about DANTES programs and to help promote more efficient customer service to service members.

Email all inquiries to DANTES_Outreach@navy.mil.

Reproduction in whole or in part is permitted for any purpose of the United States Government, except that copyrighted materials cannot be reproduced without written permission from the copyright owner. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by DANTES of the linked websites, or the information, products, or services contained therein.

Jeff Allen, Director Michelle Alexander, Editor DANTES Information Bulletin

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