Our Story

Where our promise began

Born from lived experience. Driven by a promise that military children with disabilities deserve better

Partners in PROMISE was founded in February 2020 by military families who understood firsthand the challenges of navigating special education while serving our country. Frequent relocations, interrupted services, inconsistent educational support, and the constant need to advocate for their children revealed a troubling reality: military-connected children with disabilities were too often falling through the cracks.

What began as families sharing their experiences grew into a collective determination to create meaningful, lasting change.

We recognized that these challenges were not isolated experiences, but symptoms of broader systemic barriers affecting military families nationwide. By elevating family voices and grounding our advocacy in research, we set out to bring these issues to the attention of military leaders, policymakers, educators, and the communities responsible for supporting our children.

Today, Partners in PROMISE is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to protecting the educational rights of military-connected children with disabilities. Through individualized family support, trusted resources, research, and collaborative advocacy, we empower parents to navigate complex systems while working to improve those systems for the families who follow.

Our work is rooted in a simple belief: military families should never have to choose between serving their country and securing the education their children deserve.

Our story began with a handful of families determined to be heard. It continues with every family we empower, every barrier we challenge, and every promise we work to keep.

February 2020

Founded in February 2020 by military families determined to turn their lived experiences into lasting change for children with disabilities.

2021-2022

Amplified military family voices through nationwide research, uncovering systemic barriers to special education and laying the foundation for meaningful change.

2022-2025

Expanded our national reach through family support, strategic partnerships, and research-driven advocacy, turning military families’ experiences into meaningful action.

Today

Building on our impact to expand family support, strengthen national partnerships, and drive lasting systemic change—ensuring every military-connected child with a disability has the opportunity to thrive.

Our Journey

Our Data & Impact

Behind every number is a military family, a child, and a story that deserves to be heard. Our research reveals the challenges military-connected children with disabilities face, while our impact reflects the power of turning those findings into meaningful action. Explore the data, discover the families behind the numbers, and see how we're using research and lived experiences to drive lasting change.

See Our Data →

Meet the People Behind the PROMISE

Behind Partners in PROMISE is a dedicated team of military spouses, parents, professionals, and advocates united by a shared commitment to military families. Together, we bring lived experience, professional expertise, and a passion for creating meaningful change for military-connected children with disabilities.