Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth announced on Monday that the state’s “Heroes Welcome” initiative, which was developed by the Alabama Military Stability Commission that he chairs, has been named an official partner resource by the U.S. Department of Defense.

“Since taking office, we have worked hard to ensure Alabama remains that nation’s friendliest and most welcoming state for active service members, their dependents, and veterans, and this recognition offers solid evidence that our efforts are working,” Ainsworth said. “Military service can be stressful for spouses and dependents who have to move from one base assignment to another, so our Heroes Welcome website was designed to make that transition easier for all.”

Among the services in Alabama’s initiative is a one-stop hub website, which was created in 2020 and located at HeroesWelcome.Alabama.Gov, that provides newly-arrived military families with comprehensive information about the Alabama communities in which they are stationed.

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The website covers topics that include employment opportunities, education options, housing availability, local services, and others.

The U.S. Department of Defense recently designated “Heroes Welcome” as an official participant in the Military Spouse Employment Partnership-Spouse Advocacy Network, which connects military spouses with hundreds of partner employers who commit to recruit, hire, promote, and retain military spouses.

In awarding the designation, the department noted that “challenges faced by military spouses present a threat to our national security as many service members are forced to leave the military to improve the financial health of their families.”

The information on licensure reciprocity provided by the state’s Heroes Welcome website is especially important to career-minded spouses of military servicemen and servicewomen.

Alabama was among the first states to pass legislation ensuring occupational licensing reciprocity for military dependents, which allows a military spouse, for example, who is licensed to practice nursing in another state to also practice locally while stationed in Alabama.

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.