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

When a Military Family Leaves the Military: Your Help with Civilian Services Matters

It can be difficult for retiring service members and their spouses to find supports outside the military system.  Like all of us, they get used to the ones they’ve been using.  Can they access the doctors and supports they have had for their child?  Does retirement change their benefits or access to health care?  How can a dependent child continue their services when their military parent retires?  This chart can help you understand which services their child will keep, and what civilian options you can help them explore.

Continue reading “When a Military Family Leaves the Military: Your Help with Civilian Services Matters”

Extended Care Health Option (ECHO)

The Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) is a program offered through TRICARE, the military health care system.

ECHO may help some military families who have a family member with special needs. ECHO focuses on integrated sets of services and supplies beyond those available through TRICARE programs. Services are intended to reduce the disabling effects of a beneficiary’s condition. ECHO is only available as a supplement to TRICARE programs. If services or supplies are available through a beneficiary’s TRICARE plan, they won’t be covered under ECHO.

Continue reading “Extended Care Health Option (ECHO)”