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”
Tag: military children
Relocation (“PCS”) for Military Families-with handout!
Relocation affects many aspects of life for military families including housing, nonmilitary spouse employment, schools and activities for children, childcare, and services for children with special needs.
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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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Online Resources for Military Families
Updated list of links to social media groups and organizations dedicated to military families and their concerns, including those that offer support and information to military families who have children with disabilities.
Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) School System
Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA schools) operate in serveral states and US Territories and at installations abroad. This article and linked resources can help you help military families transferring to and from this military education system.
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Role of the School Liaison Officer (SLO)
School Liaison Officers (sometimes just titled “School Liaisons” or “School Support Staff” (SLOs) are the point of contact on an installation for all things school-related and assist families whose children’s education may be affected by military life. They can be a great resource for Parent Centers!
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
Military Families, Stress and Children Age 0-3
“Parental wartime deployment can be distressing for a child, regardless of their age. These children are at an increased risk for social, emotional, and behavioral problems, especially if there are preexisting psychological issues in the family” (Siegel, B. S. and Davis, B. E., 2013).
What Parent Centers Need to Know to Help Military Families
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