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.
Tag: EFMP
From The Branch’s Advisors
From The Branch’s Advisors: From time to time we’ll share relevant articles, tips, information, etc., from The Branch’s Advisory Committee. The Branch is grateful to all the time and assistance the committee members provide and to see the committee members visit here. Jeremy Hilton was awarded the Department of Defense Spouse of the Year in 2012. Here are links to read his family’s personal journey and to share with military families you serve for inspiration, hope and resources.
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”
Working with Military Installations: Tools and Tips for Parent Center Staff
Newly Updated!
Everything from first contact to going through the gate–tips and advice from military family members, parent center staff, and guidelines from Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security.
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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.
Military Child Care and Children with Special Needs
For parents whose child has special needs, there can be concerns about the ability of child care providers to effectively manage a child’s needs. For Military Families this can be of additional concern with frequent relocation. What are the military-sponsored options for families whose child has disabilities?
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The Respite Care Question for Military Children
Accessing community-based respite care can be a challenge for many military families. For instance, Active Duty families are seldom in a community long enough to find local respite care or available providers might not be covered through TRICARE, the military health care system. A study by Borden, et al. (2014) reveals why military families have trouble getting civilian respite care: Eligibility often requires qualifying for Medicaid and/or SSI (difficult for military families due to high mobility), cumbersome applications, waitlists, and shortages of qualified providers. Continue reading “The Respite Care Question for Military Children”