Understanding the Military Student Identifier & Impact Aid

A lot is asked of military families, and sometimes a simple form can feel like a violation of privacy. Understanding why information is requested and how that information is used – and protected – is critical to ensure resources and benefits reach those they are intended for. Recently, MCEC’s Parent Webinars featured What is MSI and Impact Aid. This podcast recaptures Nikki’s conversation with Lori Phipps and Nanette Pigg, subject matter experts on these two data collectors.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Texas Education Agency. To learn more, visit https://tea.texas.gov/.   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.   Show Notes:   Resources:   Military Student Identifier https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/school-support   Impact Aid Program https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/impact-aid-program/   National Association of Federally Impacted Schools https://www.nafisdc.org/impact-aid-resources/about-impact-aid/   Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) https://www.ed.gov/essa?src=rn   School Liaison programs https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/search?program-service%3D12%2Fview-by%3DALL   Military Family Life Counseling (MFLC) https://www.militaryonesource.mil/non-medical-counseling/military-and-family-life-counseling/   MIC3 https://mic3.net/   Bios: Lori A. Phipps is Chief of the Department of the Air Force School Liaison Program Division at the HQ Air Force Services Center (AFSVC), HQ Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center (AFIMSC), Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. She is responsible for providing managerial and operational oversight of the School Liaison Program, which encompasses PreK-12 Education, Public Schools on Military Installations (PSMI), and the Military & Family Life Counseling Program (MFLC). In addition, she oversees the education, development, and training program for the School Liaison Program Managers, $2M Educational Community Outreach programs, and 71 PSMIs. Her program provides support to over 770K military-connected families, 34K schools, community stakeholders, and installation support services for Commanders, Schools, and installation personnel across all Air Force Commands, the U.S. Space Force, the Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard as well as all joint service component families. Division is an advocate at the State/National Level for legislation benefiting military-connected students, dedicated to ensuring equitable access to quality education, support services, and resources.   Prior to her current position, Mrs. Phipps served as the Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland School Liaison Program Manager supporting over 35,000 military-connected students in forty-two school districts. Her efforts resulted in legislation to ensure the state was in compliance with the Military Interstate Compact as well as early registration and homeschool student support. In addition, she has served as a Youth Specialist, providing youth development capabilities through a system of quality, available, and affordable programs.   Prior to her Civilian positions, Mrs. Phipps served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. During her active-duty career, she served as a Security Forces member and was selected as the first Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Instructor for the Air Force. She was appointed the Installation Crime Prevention Manager and held other leadership positions.   Nanette Pigg began her career in Child and Youth Services in 1998, she has worked in a variety of roles in child development and education.  When she first heard about the School Liaison program, she decided that was the job she had been training for her whole career.   Nanette served as the SLO for Fort Cavazos for three years before moving to Installation Management Command in San Antonio.  In her current role, she serves as the School Program Manager with operational oversight of the Army’s School Liaison Officer program.  Nanette is a proud Army spouse, she and her husband Barry raised 3 daughters who experienced firsthand the challenges of transitioning to new schools every few years.   They have 8 grandchildren, 2 great-grandsons, and two German Shepard’s.