September 30, 2026, Oakton, Va. -- National nonprofit Our Military Kids (OMK) has released a new report highlighting the many positive and interconnected outcomes their programming has for children with special needs.
While OMK annually releases research highlighting the overall impact that activity awards have on recipients and their families, “The Impacts of Our Military Kids on Children with Disabilities” is its first stand-alone report focusing on a particular demographic of beneficiaries.
OMK funds activities for the children (ages 1-18) of deployed Reserve or National Guard service members and the children of Veterans and service members in all service branches receiving care for their post-9/11 combat-related injuries and illnesses. This funding (called “activity awards”) can be applied to a wide variety of activities.
At the heart of the research are family beneficiary interviews conducted by researcher and author of the paper, Erica Hawvermale, OMK’s Program Evaluation and Research Advisor. Hawvermale’s analysis found that the impacts of OMK-funded activities on children with disabilities are positive, extensive, and interrelated. “Participation in these activities both mediates disability symptoms and facilitates positive impacts on academics, physical health, emotions, behaviors, and social engagements,” the report notes.
“Our Military Kids provides activity awards to between 200 and 250 children reported to have a disability each year (roughly 14% of all awards). However, the impact of military service on children with disabilities, particularly among the populations OMK intentionally serves, is not well researched. Understanding these families’ experiences is an exciting next step in better serving this population,” said Hawvermale.
For some families, finding activities that are developmentally and/or physically appropriate for their children is difficult. Waitlists may be long, and the distance to participate may be prohibitive, especially for families living in rural or remote areas. OMK funding allows children to pursue their interests in their own communities and on their own terms. Additionally, the funding reduces or eliminates the financial burden that often comes with activities.
Hawvermale’s research found that, beyond offering improved access and flexibility for extracurriculars, OMK activity awards presented opportunities that children may not have otherwise experienced.
One mother explained that OMK-funded swim lessons gave her daughter the skills and confidence that set her up to become a lifeguard and eventually work her way through college. “OMK did something in that they set her on this path without even realizing it,” “Pamela” said. “Talk about making a life change and a life difference.”
“Patricia,” a mother whose son used OMK activity awards for day camp at a botanical garden, shared that his interests expanded because of his experiences. Prior to attending day camp, he was only interested in LEGO. “...With nature camp and all the stuff that he learned, he’s now actually more [engaged] with me and [tries] to help me and be more involved,” “Patricia” said.
The research also found that overall child wellbeing—including the mediation of disability-related symptoms—improved through participation in OMK-funded activities. One mother noticed a change in her child’s behaviors after his jiu-jitsu class: “His behavior in general seems to improve after he has jiu-jitsu, and he seems calmer and less fidgety.”
Kara C. Dallman, Executive Director of OMK, sees this paper as confirmation of the work OMK has done as well as an exciting invitation for specific improvements to the organization’s processes. “This research illuminates the importance of meeting families and children where they are and supporting their goals,” she said. “It’s particularly powerful to hear from parents that their children with special needs are also finding success and belonging through OMK-funded activities.”
The study is a point of connection for OMK and other organizations serving the military community. “The families in this research are our families,” said Michelle Norman, Founder and CEO of Partners in PROMISE. “We know through our own research that military children with disabilities face so much, from constant moves and frequent disruptions to delays in medical and educational services. To see them finding joy and building important life skills through these activities is exactly why this work matters. Partners in PROMISE is proud to stand alongside Our Military Kids in championing these children and the families who love them.”
The report comes at an important time for the 22-year-old organization. In the first half of 2026, OMK experienced a 15% increase in activity award applications over the same time last year. Additionally, the organization recently released its five-year strategic growth plan. “We know that when military children are given opportunities to pursue their interests on their terms, amazing things happen,” said Dallman. “We are proud of our progress, and we look forward to exploring the report’s suggestions to further improve access and empower these families.”
About Our Military Kids
Our Military Kids® is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering extracurricular activity awards to children ages 1-18 of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or Veterans/Service Members receiving care for combat-related injuries or illnesses. Learn more and apply at ourmilitarykids.org .
