MILITARY FAMILY RESILIENCY
From Jeremy Hilton on “Military Family Resiliency”
If you’ve worked with or supported military families, then at one time or another you’ve most likely done so on behalf of military children and spouses impacted by chronic conditions, complex medical needs or disabilities, commonly referred to as exceptional family members. But, because these families’ issues run the gamut of educational, legal and medical matters, you may not have known what resources exist, what research or action has already been achieved, or who was advocating on their behalf. The Dropbox link is at www.dropbox.com/sh/ha1f3kg6096z37m/AAAvjOH3h-YPQbFJ9wSjVNsua?dl=0 .
It’s the only place where this information is easily accessible in one place, helping you understand the full scope of the issues so you can help military families with special needs individuals. We hope you’ll pass it along to military families who need to understand that they aren’t alone in this journey. If you have the time to review this material, you’ll see that we are making very slow progress. However, as we recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a recent DoD survey provides stark evidence that we aren’t living up to our potential; 7 percent of special needs military families have heard of Medicaid HCBS Waivers and 6 percent are enrolled in a patient centered medical home. These are two examples among many where, with the right people involved, we can make a difference in a short amount of time.
TOP STATES
“Analysis Ranks Best States For Disability Services” dated 16 July 2015, by Michelle Diament from Disability Scoop at www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/07/16/analysis-ranks-best-states/20442
AUTUMN EVENTS
JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL UPCOMING EVENTS
7 NOVEMBER: Wings for All is designed to alleviate some of the stress that families who have a child with a disability experience when traveling by air. The program provides families with the opportunity to practice entering the airport, obtain boarding passes, go through security and board a plane. Wings for All also gives airport, airline, Transportation Security Administration professionals and other personnel the opportunity to observe, interact and deliver their services in a structured, learning environment. Next Wings Program scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2015 at Dulles International Airport. Registration to open in October 2015. Point of contact is Kymberly DeLoatche at 703-208-1119, x112. More info is at thearcofnova.org
JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, DC UPCOMING EVENT
CHANGE IN LOCATION: USAF Exceptional Family Member Program and Special Needs Identification & Assignment Coordination, daily Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4:30pm at Building 1100 (2nd floor, Room 259), Bolling Air Force Base, BC. Contact Ruth Jones at (202) 404-6551. The EMFP and SNIAC are two separate yet related functions working together to enhance the quality of life for Air Force Families. The programs support and identify active duty sponsors who have EFM’s with special educational or medical needs.
FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA UPCOMING EVENTS
25 OCTOBER: The 11th Walk for Autism-Virginia is the Autism Society of Northern Virginia’s largest community event and fundraiser of the year at the Prince William County Fairgrounds, 10624 Dumfries Road, Manassas, VA on Saturday, October 24, 2014. Walk or Run in the 5K Race or Virtually Walk by providing an online donation. This Autism Walk/5K Run and community resource fair will help raise awareness about the increasing frequency of autism, increase acceptance of our loved ones with autism, and raise funds to help local families pay for autism treatments in the form of mini-grants. These grants are awarded to families dealing with the financial burden of autism. ASNV is a non-profit organization that provides information and referrals to families affected by autism spectrum disorders in Northern Virginia. Our goal is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders and to support every family in need. We plan on featuring a silent auction, vendor fair, kid’s carnival, moon bounces, DJ music, petting zoo, and air brush artist, face painting, a children’s train, and a puppet show, Lego land, martial arts performances, lunch and lots of give-aways all in a family- and autism-friendly environment. As usual, these fun activities are provided at no cost to participants, including the information resource fair. Even if you do not walk or run, please come by for some family fun and get some information. Hopefully, you will register a team today at http://www.walkforautismva.org. Registration costs $15 for an individual walker, $30 for an individual runner, or $40 for a family (up to 5) of walkers. For more info, email info@walkforautismva.org, call 703 859-0030, or visit www.walkforautismva.org
Rain or Shine! Saturday, October 25
8:30am – 5K Race (6:30am registration opens)
11:00am – 5K Walk (9am registration opens)
9:00am to 1:00pm – Family Fun Activities, Silent Auction, and
Resource Fair! Food and Snacks available for purchase.
(GF/CF foods available).
2015 CREDO Retreats: All CREDO Marriage Enrichment and Personal Resiliency retreats are FREE (including meals and lodging) and are open to Active Duty, Reservist (Active Status) and their Immediate Family Members. For more information or to register please call: (202) 767-5900 or (202) 767-5902. Or email CREDO.NDW.fcm@navy.mil. More info is on the website at www.jbabchapel.wordpress.com
MARINE CORP BASE, QUANTICO, VIRGINIA
UPCOMING EVENTS
7 NOVEMBER: 20th Annual Circle of Support Conference by the Arc of Greater Prince William County at Hylton High School, 14051 Spriggs Road, Woodbridge, VA. On Saturday, November 7th from 8am to 3:30pm. Dr. Stephen Shore will give the keynote address on Life on and Slightly to the Right of the Autism Spectrum at 8:45 a.m. Over 50 workshops in two sessions and over 60 exhibitors are anticipated for families of children with special needs and the professionals who work with them. Cost is $20 for self-advocates, $40 for parents and $60 for professionals before 1 October, and $25 for self-advocates, $50 for parents and $80 for professionals after 1 October. Child care and sibling group are available with reservations. For more information, contact Jan Russell at 703-730-3124 or email her at jrussell@arcgpw.org
Activities and workshops are open to all military connected families enrolled in EFMP or with children with special needsactive duty or retired all branches or service. You can register to attend any of the above listed events by emailing the Quantico EFMP mailbox at quanticoefmpoffice@usmc-mccs.org or call by calling the Quantico EFMP office at 571-931-0524. •
VETERAN TICKETS FOUNDATION
The Veteran Tickets Foundation gives out free event tickets to all kinds of things all across the country. Stuff like football, baseball, soccer, basketball, concerts, zoo passes, plays and more! You can sign up at http://www.VetTix.org/ref/93149/Vet. When you do, and verify your service you will get an additional 12 VetTix Lottery Coins to start off with!
MILITARY CAREER RESOURCES AT EPARENT.COM
The Military Career Resources on the new Exceptional Parent website at http://www.eparent.com has a lot of info for active-duty and retired military families. Service members and their families are strongly encouraged to register online to obtain a free subscription to the magazine.
