Relocation (“PCS”) for Military Families with Children of Special Needs

Relocation affects many aspects of life for military families including housing, nonmilitary spouse employment, schools and activities for children, childcare, and services for children with special needs. Definitions: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) refers to a service member’s assignment to a new duty station in a new location for a period of no less than six months. A PCS may often last one to three years. Temporary Duty assignments last six months or fewer (TD […]

Special Education Programs and Resources for Military Families

Families with special needs have a wide range of programs and services available for both family members with special needs and their caregivers. Here is a sampling of the various resources and tools available to you through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs, or OSEP. Your OSEP point of contact for special education programs Connect directly with your state’s OSEP point of contact for questions related to special education services. This […]

Military Families: How You Can Advocate for Your Child with Special Needs

All parents advocate – speak on behalf of, even fight for – their child’s needs to teachers, doctors and others so their child can grow up happy and successful. When that military child has special needs, that advocacy grows to include learning laws, finding resources and even representing your child to special program administrators, school boards and others. When you are an effective advocate, you can maneuver through additional steps or necessary paperwork to get […]

Keep Your Relationship Strong: 8 Tips for Military Parents Raising Children With Special Needs

Research shows raising a child with special needs can test a marriage. As a military family you have a strong foundation to work from, but the ability to depend on one another and teamwork are key. With determination, communication and the tips below, you can keep your relationship strong and your family thriving. Both you and your partner need to acknowledge and understand your child’s diagnosis from a doctor you both trust. You’ll never be […]

Office of Community Support for Military Families With Special Needs

If your military family has a family member or child with special needs, there are numerous resources, services and programs available to help you. But where do you start? Here are some top resources. The Exceptional Family Member Program Sometimes half the battle of managing your family member’s care is knowing what resources and services are available and how to access them. The Exceptional Family Member Program, or EFMP, is a great place to begin. […]