Department of Defense Education Activity

DoDEA Connects

DoDEA Connects is the agency’s internal news source providing the latest on organizational initiatives, inspiring stories from your DoDEA colleagues, updates on education programs, and important information from human resources. The content is targeted for DoDEA employees worldwide — at all levels.

You can access DoDEA Connects directly at https://service.dodea.edu/connects/ or use the “DoCo” shortcut available on your desktop.

CAC LOGIN IS REQUIRED. Network or VPN access is not required, so employees with a CAC reader can access DoDEA Connects.

For more information, email .

Recent Connects Articles

DoDEA awards nearly $25M in grants to public school districts in support of military-connected students

DoDEA awards nearly $25M in grants to public school districts in support of military-connected students

January 21, 2020 The agency's Military-Connected Local Educational Agencies for Academic and Support Program manages a robust grant program to help military-connected students be college and career ready.
National education resources to support military-connected students

National education resources to support military-connected students

January 17, 2020 Download and share the one-page job aid containing national education resources to support K-12 transitions for military-connected students.
McAfee VirusScan home use not available

McAfee VirusScan home use not available

January 16, 2020 The DoD Antivirus Home Use Program — that offered DoD employees free antivirus software for home use — is currently not available.
Gordon Harmon named new human resources director

Gordon Harmon named new human resources director

January 14, 2020 Congratulations to Gordon Harmon for being selected as DoDEA's director of human resources (HR). Harmon assumes the new position after serving as the acting HR director since July 2019.
Cyber Tips: Staying safe on social media

Cyber Tips: Staying safe on social media

January 14, 2020 The DoDEA Information Technology Division shares monthly cyber tips with the workforce and their families to ensure a safe and secure online experience.
REAL ID: Consider getting a new driver's license the next time you are home.

REAL ID: Consider getting a new driver's license the next time you are home.

January 10, 2020 Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, travelers without a REAL ID-compliant license or other acceptable form of identification will not be permitted through the airport security checkpoint.
TSP transaction rejected? Call ABC-C.

TSP transaction rejected? Call ABC-C.

January 08, 2020 If you recently submitted a transaction to change your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contribution, it may have been rejected. Call ABC-C to make your election manually.
Excellence happening at all levels of DoDEA

Excellence happening at all levels of DoDEA

January 08, 2020 The agency's vision, mission, and core values are the foundation of everything we do. This month, DoDEA is focusing on the core value of excellence with educator Sarah Loomis.
Parents Magazine bullying article written by former DoDEA NDSP student

Parents Magazine bullying article written by former DoDEA NDSP student

January 08, 2020 Former DoDEA Non-DoD Schools Program (NDSP) student, who attended school in Singapore, is now a writer for Parents Magazine's "Teen Talk" column and shares her insight on high school bullying.
DoDDS Reunion XXXII: July 15-19, 2020

DoDDS Reunion XXXII: July 15-19, 2020

January 07, 2020 Each year, the DoDDS Reunion brings together the friendship and camaraderie of the special DoDEA/DoDDS/DDESS colleagues who taught in American schools all over the world.
DoDEA officially establishes Office of Inspector General

DoDEA officially establishes Office of Inspector General

January 06, 2020 Effective Jan. 6, DoDEA Investigations and Internal Review (IIR) Division transitions to the DoDEA Office of Inspector General (OIG).
Ansbach Middle High School teachers, also DoD school graduates, discuss being a military kid

Ansbach Middle High School teachers, also DoD school graduates, discuss being a military kid

January 02, 2020 As products of DoD schools themselves, three Ansbach Middle High School teachers are very familiar with the sacrifices and changes that students experience.
Top 8 DoDEA Connects posts from 2019

Top 8 DoDEA Connects posts from 2019

January 01, 2020 Based on your clicks, here is a look at the top eight most popular DoDEA Connects posts from 2019.
Jim Ausenbaugh retires from Fort Campbell Schools after 20 years of service

Jim Ausenbaugh retires from Fort Campbell Schools after 20 years of service

December 20, 2019 Jim Ausenbaugh, an administrative technologist with the DoDEA Americas IT Division, retired from the Fort Campbell Schools after 20 years of service.
Don't get locked out – update your CAC's Personal Identity Verification-Authentication certificate

Don't get locked out – update your CAC's Personal Identity Verification-Authentication certificate

December 20, 2019 DoD CACs must align with the federal Personal Identity-Authentication (PIV-Auth) certificate, which ensures strong authentication. DoDEA employees with CACs issued before Feb. 24, 2018 may need to activate their PIV-Auth certificate.
Donate school yearbooks for historical preservation

Donate school yearbooks for historical preservation

December 19, 2019 DoDEA has an ongoing partnership with the American Overseas Schools Historical Society. They are looking for missing yearbooks for their searchable online archive.
Who qualifies as a dependent overseas?

Who qualifies as a dependent overseas?

December 18, 2019 The question of who qualifies as a civilian employee's "dependent" in the overseas area cannot be answered with one simple definition. Each overseas benefit or entitlement carries with it its own definition of a dependent.
Message from the DoDEA Director: Teacher Transfer Program update

Message from the DoDEA Director: Teacher Transfer Program update

December 17, 2019 The Teacher Transfer Program was suspended prior to school year 2019/2020. A review was initiated and DoDEA is now more than halfway through that review.
Second update on erroneous debt letters resulting from spread pay automation

Second update on erroneous debt letters resulting from spread pay automation

December 12, 2019 DoDEA continues to work with DFAS on the pay system programming glitch creating erroneous debt letters to select spread pay employees.
About the DoDEA discrimination complaints process

About the DoDEA discrimination complaints process

December 12, 2019 Employees may use DoDEA's Discrimination Complaints Process to file a complaint about discriminatory practices by contacting the DoDEA Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity (DMEO) Office.
Holiday security tips

Holiday security tips

December 12, 2019 With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season sometimes we forget about common sense security practices. Here are a few reminders to keep your holidays safe and enjoyable.
DoDEA bids farewell to Kirsten Webb

DoDEA bids farewell to Kirsten Webb

December 10, 2019 DoDEA bids farewell to Kirsten Webb, chief of Capabilities and Initiatives.
DoDEA grant enables STEM enrichment program

DoDEA grant enables STEM enrichment program

December 06, 2019 See how one DoDEA grant is making a difference at the El Paso Independent School District in El Paso, Texas.
The smallest school in DoDEA is…

The smallest school in DoDEA is…

December 06, 2019 Get to know DoDEA's smallest school with just 25 students and two teachers.
Need benefits information? Contact ABC-C.

Need benefits information? Contact ABC-C.

December 04, 2019 To speak to a benefits specialist, contact ABC-C at 785-240-2222 (commercial), 877-276-9287 (toll free), or 520-2222 (DSN) Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT.
DoDEA's Employee Assistance Program helps you manage everyday challenges

DoDEA's Employee Assistance Program helps you manage everyday challenges

December 03, 2019 DoDEA employees can call the Employee Assistance Program at 866-580-9046 available 24/7 every day.
Kelisa Wing talks about valuing and advocating for ALL children

Kelisa Wing talks about valuing and advocating for ALL children

December 03, 2019 The agency's vision, mission, and core values are the foundation of everything we do. This month, DoDEA is focusing on the core value of diversity.
New TSP flexible withdrawal options

New TSP flexible withdrawal options

November 27, 2019 The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) recently implemented new withdrawal options giving account holders more flexibility. Here's what's new.
Fort Knox welcomes Jenny Pond, professional learning ISS

Fort Knox welcomes Jenny Pond, professional learning ISS

November 27, 2019 Please welcome Jenny Pond as the new Professional Learning Instructional Support Specialist (ISS) at Fort Knox, Kentucky in DoDEA Americas Southeast District.
Updated: Contact information for CHRA, DoDEA's human resources provider

Updated: Contact information for CHRA, DoDEA's human resources provider

November 26, 2019 A comprehensive list of contact information for DoDEA's human resources provider, CHRA — now includes contact names and phone numbers.
3 steps for responding to sexual harassment at work

3 steps for responding to sexual harassment at work

November 22, 2019 Criminal behavior and any threat to your safety should be reported to security and/or law enforcement immediately. When faced with non-criminal sexual harassment related to work refer to these 3 steps as a guide.
AutoNOA spiral 1, off to a great start

AutoNOA spiral 1, off to a great start

November 21, 2019 AutoNOA’s Recruit/Fill Tool is proving to be a great asset in processing hiring actions at the three DoDEA’s districts that are piloting this new tool as part of the agency’s spiral 1 implementation.
3 ways to request a retirement estimate

3 ways to request a retirement estimate

November 15, 2019 Requesting an estimate of your retirement annuity is an important step in preparing for retirement. If you are within five years of eligibility for a voluntary optional retirement, you should request an estimate.