From Anthony Woods, the Maryland Secretary of Veterans and Military Families:

Friends, 

It’s with great pleasure that we announce that the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs has officially changed its name to the Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF), the first in the nation for a state-level department or agency!

We are excited that our name will better reflect the diverse community that we already serve, including dependents, veteran caregivers, and survivors. Members of this broader military connected community play an important role in ensuring the well-being of our service members and veterans and are similarly eligible for earned benefits and resources.

In addition to a new name, the Department will now also include a Deputy Secretary of Military Family Programs and Policy (more to come soon). 

Please see the press release below for a statement from Governor Moore, myself, and information on the legislation. 

Feel free to share far and wide!

Best,

Tony

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Secretary Tony Woods Formally Announces New Department Name, “Maryland
Department of Veterans and Military Families”
New name aligns with the department’s mission to serve all who serve, including
military families
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Secretary Tony Woods today announced the Maryland
Department of Veterans Affairs has officially changed its name to the Department of
Veterans and Military Families.
"Before I deployed to Afghanistan, I thought military service was toughest on our
soldiers. After I deployed, I realized it was toughest on our families," said Gov. Moore.
"Our military families sacrifice everything so their loved ones can serve; they are just
as much a part of the American story as those in the armed forces. This important
name change recognizes that fundamental truth."
The inclusion of “Military Families” in the Department’s official name better reflects
the diverse community it serves including dependents, veteran caregivers, and
survivors. Members of this broader military connected community play an important
role in ensuring the well-being of our service members and veterans and are
similarly eligible for earned benefits and resources.
The Departmental name change resulted from legislation, SB0411 and HB0431,
championed by Senator Dawn Gile and Delegate Andrew Pruski. Governor Moore
signed the bills into law on April 9, 2024.
The legislation renames the Department and mandates the appointment of a
Deputy Secretary of Military Family Policy and Programs, who will be responsible for
overseeing agency strategy, policy, and initiatives to respond to the unique needs of
our military and veteran families.
“Since the founding of the Department in 1999, military families have always been
included in our mission statement,” said Secretary Tony Woods. “Changing our
name better reflects our mission and serves as an important reminder that military
families - including dependents, veteran caregivers, and survivors - play a vital role in
service to the nation and they have an advocate in our Department to support them
through life’s transitions.”
The Department of Veterans and Military Families will work closely with the newly
established Maryland Commission on Veterans and Military Families to implement
policy recommendations dedicated to veterans and military families. These
recommendations will be presented to the Maryland General Assembly and
Moore-Miller Administration in December 2024.
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Contact:
Dana Burl, Director of Communications, Outreach, and Advocacy -
dana.burl@maryland.gov