Tag: military children

Medicaid: Referring Military Families to Supports and Services

Military families have unique concerns around the supports and services needed by their child with special needs. On the one hand, they have guaranteed medical coverage through TRICARE, the military health care system and its range of special programs. On the other, there are distinct limits to coverage and programs which may leave military families without some essential supports and services. Medicaid can be an option for some military families which they may not have considered, and which Parent Center staff can help them explore.

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Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children

The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children was created to provide a smooth transition for military children as their families relocate from installation to installation. “While the Compact is not exhaustive in its coverage, it does address the key issues encountered by military families: eligibility, enrollment, placement and graduation” (NCSL, 2014). The Compact has been created with the hope that students will not lose academic time in transition, obtain an appropriate placement, and be able to graduate on time. Currently, all 50 states and District of Columbia participate in the Compact. Continue reading “Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children”

Resiliency Tools Can Help Military Kids Develop Self-Advocacy

The Branch has identified some cool tools for military children to help them grow essential self-advocacy skills. They’re aimed at children ages four (4) through middle school. These free tools were created to promote resilience, the ability to adapt to adverse circumstances or trauma. Branch staff noticed that qualities which promote resilience are almost identical to qualities that promote self-advocacy, so these tools can be used for both:

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Regulations, Manual published for EIS and Special Education in Dept. of Defense Schools

Prior to June 2015, Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools operated under IDEA 1997 in providing Early Intervention and Special Education services.  In June 2015 Department of Defense issued a new instruction (regulation) and a manual  (external links) based on the provisions of IDEA 2004.  While this change may eliminate many of the differences between public schools and DoDEA schools with regard to Special Education, the new regulations are not yet interpreted, and some DoDEA schools may not have fully implemented the changes.  When an interpretation of the new regulations is issued, allowing comparison between DoDEA and public school provision of Special Education, we will announce it and make it available.

 

For a PDF version of the instruction, please contact us at thebranch@wapave.org or by calling 253.565.2266, ext. 112