H.R. 3566 — ANCHOR for Military Families Act

This section expands the types of relocation assistance under the Military Relocation Assistance Program (10 U.S.C. 1056)—which provides destination information, counseling, settling-in services, and home-finding assistance to members of the armed forces and dependents undergoing a change of permanent station—as follows: (1) adds to destination-area information an emphasis on education systems, school enrollment procedures, and state-specific provisions under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children; (2) adds to settling-in services an emphasis on educational resources for dependent children, including school transition assistance, academic continuity, and special education services; and (3) adds educational planning and support services for dependent children with disabilities, including procedures for transferring individualized education programs and coordination with the Exceptional Family Member Program. The section further requires the Secretary of Defense to provide members and families with information on this assistance and related programs (e.g., family assistance under 10 U.S.C. 1788, housing options, mental health support, and legal/financial counseling) no later than 45 days before a change of permanent station takes effect, incorporate such information into accessible materials, briefings, online resources, and a communication strategy, and assess satisfaction with the information provided. Finally, the section requires the Secretary to brief the Armed Services Committees of the House and Senate on implementation, awareness of programs, and improvement recommendations not later than one year after enactment and annually thereafter for three years.