Programs

The “Educational Dollars for Duty” (EDD) program is available for Florida National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, and can provide public tuition for the period of the Guard member’s service. If you meet the eligibility requirements, EDD can be used for courses that lead toward a Technical Certificate, Associate’s, Baccalaureate or a Master’s Degree. EDD cannot be used toward a Doctorate Degree.

For more information on the EDD program and requirement information, please contact the EDD Mailbox at ng.fl.flarng.list.edd-office@army.mil.

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), is a Department of Defense program established to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment. To learn more about the program or apply for assistance, please visit https://esgr.mil or reach out to the Florida Program Support Specialist – at 904-823-0172 or email.

The Governor’s Initiative on Lawyers Assisting Warriors (GI LAW) is a new program created by Gov. DeSantis. Through this initiative, local attorneys, provide pro bono legal representation to our State’s Service Members in a variety of civil matters. To learn more about the program visit https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/floridadefense/lawyers-assisting-warriors/. To apply for an attorney through this initiative please consult with your Brigade Legal Staff and fill out the form located at https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/wp-content/uploads/GILAW-Request-Assistance.pdf

The Florida National Guard Family Program staff consists of a trained network of military members, contract employees and volunteers working as a team in support of military Families. The Florida National Guard Family Program consists of components defined below. For more info, contact the State Family Readiness or Assistance Center Coordinator office at (800) 226-0360.

The Florida Military-Friendly Guide is a summary of Florida laws, programs, and benefits for Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Service Members and Families created by a collaborative effort from the Florida Defense Alliance, Enterprise Florida, and The Florida Defense Support Task Force. It is an excellent resource for all Service Members, their families, and affected parties to educate themselves on the laws, programs, and benefits afforded to the our military personnel. Click on this link to access the guide, https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/wp-content/uploads/Florida-Military-Friendly-Guide.pdf.

The Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA), Title 50, Appendix U.S.C. ss. 501 et seq., gives military members a wide range of legal protections and financial benefits while on active military duty. The SCRA places a 6% cap on certain interest rates, protects Service Members from default judgements, non-judicial foreclosures, and repossessions, and may allow Service Members to terminate housing agreements.

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act (USERRA), Title 38 U.S.C. Chapter 43, is a federal regulation that protects the employment rights of current and former members of the National Guard, United States Armed Forces, and Armed Forces Reserves. USERRA requires employers to provide military leave to employers, reinstatement of employment and insurance benefits for individuals returning from military duty, and freedom from discrimination based on military service. Florida has adopted a similar protection that prohibits discrimination against reserve Service Members under Section 250.481, Florida Statutes.

The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) of the U.S. Department of Labor, interprets and provides guidance on USERRA and investigates complaints filed under USERRA. For assistance in filing a complaint, or for any other information on USERRA, you may contact VETS at 1-866-4-USA-DOL or visit its website at http://www.dol.gov/vets. You may also utilize an interactive online USERRA Advisor at http://www.dol.gov/elaws/userra.htm.