The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is now accepting applications for its Purple Star Schools Program, which recognizes schools that serve and support military students and families.WATCH: Purple Star Schools Program aims to help military families"Colorado is home to many military families, and its our responsibility to ensure that their children feel welcomed, supported, and prepared for success in our schools," said Susana Crdova, Colorado's education commissioner. "The Purple Star Schools Program is a vital way for us to recognize schools that go above and beyond to address the challenges these students face.The Purple Star Schools Program, which was created through House Bill 24-1706, honors schools efforts to help military families through the following: frequent relocations adapting to new schools parental deploymentsIn order for schools to be eligible, they must have the following: a designated staff contact for military families programs to help military-connected students adjust to their new schools training staff on the needs of military-connected familiesThe application is open from now until Wednesday, December 18. Awards will be announced in March and will include a certificate of designation, which is valid for three years. To fill out an application and to learn more about the program, visit CDE's website._______Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.