Leaving the Military: Find Civilian Services for Your Child With a Disability

When your service member separates or retires from the military, where do you go to find civilian services for your child with a disability?  Certain military benefits will end and civilian supports and services will need to be put in place. This resource can help you understand which services your child might keep, and what civilian options you can explore.

If you are PCSing to a “forever” home location, this article includes resource finders available across the United States and Territories.

As you read down the columns, you will see references to Parent Centers. Parent Centers are funded by Office of Special Education (OSEP), US Department of Education to support parents of children age birth to 26 who have disabilities.

 In addition to the extensive resources at your state’s Parent Center(s), you can also use resources at the Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR), a national center serving Parent Centers and families with online information. According to the CPIR:

“There are nearly 100 Parent Training and Information Centers PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) in the US and Territories. These Centers perform a variety of direct services for children and youth with disabilities, families, professionals, and other organizations that support them. Some of the activities include:

  • Working with families of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities, birth to 26
  • Helping parents participate effectively in their children’s education and development
  • Partnering with professionals and policy makers to improve outcomes for all children with disabilities” – https://www.parentcenterhub.org/the-parent-center-network/

Quick-find links:

Medicaid

Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver
*Because of military family mobility, including when retiring from the military, retaining a place on a HCBS Waiver wait list may be challenging. Some states have made legislative changes to help military families retain earned priority to receive HCBS Waivers (Military State Policy Source status tracker from Military OneSource).  Learn about the military waiver benefit at Military OneSource.

Autism resources by State (Easter Seals)

State Agencies on Developmental or Intellectual Disabilities

Parent Centers

 Early Intervention programs for each State:  ages birth to three, Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)

Family to Family Health Information Centers  –these may be programs in a state’s parent center(s)

Parent2Parent:  direct, one-on-one trained support from other parents in your family’s situation, and support groups. Sometimes located in parent centers.

Children’s Benefits:
Active Duty
or Active Reserve
Keep Benefit?
(retiring after 20 yrs service)
Equivalent Civilian Resources
TRICARE medical coverage (may include case management, mental health, hospice careYes, but there may be extra costsPrivate insurance (useful article at the Military Wallet website
Medicaid
TRICARE for children after age 21, up to age 26 (including college students)YesPrivate insurance (useful article at the Military Wallet website
Medicaid
TRICARE after age 26 through secondary dependencyYesMedicaid
Supplemental Security Income(SSI) -in some states, receiving SSI helps determine Medicaid eligibility
ABA services through Tricare’s Autism Demo ProjectYes, but only if the service member retires, as opposed to leaving the military prior to fulfilling the terms of service for retirement. If the service member leaves without retiring, try the resources in the right-hand column.Medicaid
Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver
Autism resource by state (Easter Seals)
State agencies on Developmental or Intellectual Disabilities
Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) provides supplemental support services not available through Tricare’s regular coverage. Some benefits similar to Medicaid HCBS waiversNoMedicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver
Respite care through ECHO and other programs


No, but check with the community family center at a local installation to identify any military-family support organizations which may offer funding or locator services.
Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver

Easter Seals

Respite locator:
https://archrespite.org/respitelocator
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Family Support (help with navigating military and some civilian systemsYes, at the discretion of each installation’s EFMP Family Support officeParent Centers
Military child care benefitsNoPrivate: not subsidized but can use the directory: ChildCareAware.org

If a family has income restrictions, many states have subsidized care through Dept. of Health and Human services, or equivalent
School Liaison office for help navigating school systems and services. Helps families use MIC3 (Interstate Compact)Parent Centers
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children (MIC3)Children are covered by the provisions of the Compact for one year after service member retires.
Parent Centers
Free Tutoring from Tutor.comNoCommercial tutoring or through school
Table comparing military benefits for children with disabilities prior to and after a service member’s retirement or separation, with equivalent civilian resources

Two Nationwide Resources to share with Military Families

University Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) programs

Parent centers already refer families to UCEDDs and LEND programs or otherwise have relationships with them, serving on advisory boards and collaborating on partnerships. Here are three reasons for specifically informing military families about these programs and suggestions for outreach:

Continue reading “Two Nationwide Resources to share with Military Families”

­E-Learning Modules for Staff Development

These quick modules are perfect for individual staff self-directed learning, on-boarding new staff (see Easy Branch Orientation and Guide to Staff Training for suggested order), or as a webinar for a group. A script is included via the “Notes” page view, supplementing the slide text and images with additional information. We’ve included a link to a quick learning quiz at the end of the module, covering key points. Staff get instant feedback at the end of the quiz; they can review the module and take the quiz as many times as they wish to solidify their learning.

TRICARE-Healthcare for Military Families

By the end of this e-learning module, you’ll have found out why it’s important to know about this military healthcare program and learned how TRICARE benefits may affect or support special education services.

TRICARE MODULE-CLICK HERE

The ECHO Program and ABA for Military Families

screenshot of e-learning module slide for the TRICARE ECHO ABA module

This module is a basic introduction to two important military benefits for families you help. You will understand what benefits are available, who is eligible, and the distinction between these benefits and school services under IDEA.

ECHO PROGRAM AND ABA MODULE: CLICK HERE

Mental Health Resources for Military Families

screenshot of e-learning module slide for the Mental Health module

By the end of this e-learning module, you’ll be familiar with mental health resources available for active duty, reserve, and veteran military children and youth. You will earn about programs and apps military parents can use to reduce stressors for military kids and teens. At the end of the module are several slides with links to relevant articles, and military and national organizations that provide mental health services for military-connected families. There is also a link to a printable handout for all the resources.

MENTAL HEALTH MODULE-CLICK HERE

National Guard Families-Fresh Ideas and Resources for your work

Good Reasons for Intentional Outreach

  1. Many National Guard families are new veteran families who were recently on full-time active service and may be new to your community and to non-military services for individuals with disabilities
  2. Some National Guard are actually full-time military and move from state-to-state for duty
  3. For many National Guard families, their commitment to the military and its mission is much more than a part-time job.  Like active-duty families, they turn mostly to the military for information and support:
Continue reading “National Guard Families-Fresh Ideas and Resources for your work”

Branch Resources with Handouts

Handouts can be branded with your Parent Center’s logo, contact information, edited for state specifics, etc.  Download the handouts directly from each article in the website.

Relocation for Military Families-PCS

Extended Care Health Option (ECHO)

Medicaid: Referring Families to Supports and Services

Help for Grandparents and Other Temporary Caregivers

Post-High School Transition Resource for Military Families

Scholarships Financial Resources for Military and Non Military Youth with Disabilities

16 Financial Resources for Military Families

Help Military Families Prepare Their Child’s School for Deployment

Resolve School Issues with the Interstate Compact

Help Decide the Course of Medical Research-Benefits for Your Center and Families You Serve

The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRPs) relies on medical consumers, their families, and caregivers to provide direction on which research is most likely to benefit people like themselves. Parent center staff and volunteers, military-connected family members and civilian family members may be eligible to join review panels that decide which research on their disease, injury or condition will get funding from Congress. According to previous participants, it’s an amazing way to help others in similar situations.

Continue reading “Help Decide the Course of Medical Research-Benefits for Your Center and Families You Serve”

Frequently Asked Questions-Answers from the Branch

Many parent center staff, even those who often work with military-connected families, contact the Branch team with questions about how things work in the military system.

Here are some examples of questions we’ve received—you may have similar questions. While you are  free to contact us, many answers can be found in the resources on our website, such as the resources listed below.  You can also find answers by going to branchta.org and entering the topic in the search area.

K-12 and Post-Secondary

  • “A military family I’m helping is having difficulty getting their child’s records transferred-who can they talk to?”
  • “The new school is insisting the student take an alternate exit exam due to her disability, which will prevent her from getting a regular diploma. The family is active duty military—is there anything to help?”
Continue reading “Frequently Asked Questions-Answers from the Branch”