Children of Valor, a national nonprofit headquartered on Perimeter Loop Road in Dublin, appeared on the City of Dublin's Link Ahead podcast Sept. 2 to discuss its tutoring program for military children who move from base to base.

The episode, titled "They Serve, Too: Supporting the Children Behind Our Military Families," featured CEO Dr. Gretchen McIntosh and Valor Tutoring Director Jamie Bando. It focused on how the nonprofit's one-on-one tutoring follows students through frequent relocations.

The problem is straightforward. Military children can move up to nine times before high school graduation, according to the organization's website. Each transfer can mean lost ground in the classroom and waits averaging nine months for special education services to restart across state lines.

Children of Valor, formerly known as SEALKIDS, was founded in 2011 in response to the Extortion 17 tragedy, the single largest loss of life in Special Operations Forces history. The organization rebranded in August 2025, broadening its mission from Navy SEAL families to serve children of all Special Operations Forces branches, including Army, Air Force, Marine and Navy families.

McIntosh said the rebrand reflects a broader commitment to military families. "We are expanding our services to ensure that every child who struggles in school in the Special Operations Forces community has access to the academic support they need," she said in the August 2025 press release announcing the change.

Children of Valor says it has served 1,600 students nationally since 2011. Students in the program graduate high school on time at a rate of 98%, compared with a national rate of 70% for children with a diagnosed learning disability, according to the rebrand press release.

Valor Tutoring, the program Bando directs, pairs military-connected children with licensed educators who are trauma-informed and trained in military transition challenges. Sessions are in-home and one-on-one. Each student starts with a formative assessment targeting specific academic standards, and sessions build in executive functioning skills and financial literacy, according to the podcast description.

Rates start at $75 per hour for semester-long support and $67 per hour for year-long commitments. Need-based scholarships are available. Revenue from Valor Tutoring is reinvested into Children of Valor's free services for Special Operations Forces families.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel recognized the organization in celebration of its 15th anniversary, according to a post on the nonprofit's website published Aug. 10.

Families can request a tutor or apply to become one at valortutoring.org.

Donations are accepted at childrenofvalor.org.