Parent Centers know the Procedural Safeguards in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Did you know that Department of Defense Activity (DoDEA) Schools have their own processes? If you work with military families who have a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) to or from these locations or work in the following locations (whose children attended or plan on attending a DoDEA school) this information will be particularly helpful for you. Continue reading “Procedural Safeguards in Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) Schools”
Category: Education and Military Families
Unique aspects of education, including special education and Dept. of Defense Schools for military families
Providing Training: Ideas for your work with families, youth, and young adults who are military connected
We know how hard you work to provide in-person and virtual training, and information for parents. According to the Center for Parent Information and Resources, Parent Centers achieved more than 1 million contacts, just through trainings and individual assistance. This number is in addition to the millions of website visits and resource dissemination numbers that were accomplished. Most importantly, at least 90% of those surveyed found that programs and services met their needs, helped them understand how to get their child’s needs met, and that they were able to put the information to use.
Easy Branch Orientation and Guide to Staff Training
We’ve created a guide to our most useful materials on military families: their culture, their unique needs, and the military systems that support them when they have a child with a disability. There is something for every staff member, from those with lengthy experience working with military families to those just starting out. AND-links to parent handouts, including 3 handouts you can brand with your Parent Center logo!
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Changes Coming to Exceptional Family Member Program; Opportunity for Parent Centers
A new wide-reaching project will offer military families the same level of access to services across all DoD military branches and locations. Parent Centers can have an impact by sharing information.
Get the Details
Military OneSource: Info for Your Work and the Families You Serve
What is it?
Military OneSource is a Department of Defense-funded program providing comprehensive information, referral and assistance on every aspect of military life. It is both a call center only for DoD Service Members and their families and a website available to any person who “signs up” as a provider.
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Military Children, Accommodations and College Entrance Exams
The transition from high school to college can be a daunting experience for any teenager, however, it can be even more challenging when that teenager is part of a military family. Part of the transition process is preparing for and taking the entrance exams to college. If the student is receiving accommodations in school, he/she may qualify to receive special accommodations when taking a college entrance exam. Being aware of the process and requirements to receive accommodations can help ease the anxiety and pressure of taking the test. Continue reading “Military Children, Accommodations and College Entrance Exams”
What You Should Know About the Interstate Compact
The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children addresses the unique challenges that military children experience because of frequent Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves. This document can help military families understand how the Interstate Compact works to help make moving and changing schools as simple as possible.
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State Report Cards Will Include Military Students
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires States to report on the academic progress of military-connected students and other important data that will tell military parents, advocates for military children, and Parent Centers who serve military families how well these highly-mobile students are doing in school. Read on for expected outcomes, links to articles on the topic, and the key excerpt from ESSA.
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What is JAG and how does it relate to Special Education?
JAG stands for Judge Advocate General, and the JAG Corps (sometimes just known as JAG) is the legal branch of the military. Officers in the JAG work as legal advisors to a specific command, but their services are also available to individual service members and their families. When a military family has a child with special educational or medical needs, the JAG officer can be an invaluable resource. Families can be advised on their legal rights with respect to their child’s education (including differences between public and Department of Defense schools), legal preparation for deployment, Supplemental Social Security (SSI) and estate planning.
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Webinar: What the Office of Community Support for Military Families with Special Needs (OSN) and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) do for Military Families
In case you haven’t seen it: The Office of Community Support for Military Families with Special Needs (OSN) and the Department of Defense Education Activity share what their offices do, and how they support your work with military families. It is a great introduction to key military programs, and helpful whether you are new to your Parent Center, new to working with military families, or are a seasoned professional. Continue reading “Webinar: What the Office of Community Support for Military Families with Special Needs (OSN) and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) do for Military Families”