Understanding special education laws in general, as well as how they apply to military families and your child in particular, can be daunting. Fortunately, there are many resources to help you accomplish this:
Set up a system to keep school information, contact information, and records organized and up-to-date. This is especially important as your child moves from one school to the next, whether in your current community, another state, or at an overseas location. Two resources to try:
If you’re not already enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), consider signing up. Learn more about the special supports they make available to you.
Request a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) case manager to help you navigate the educational system and advocate for your child. It can be tough to do this on your own, and a “partner”/insider may prove quite helpful.
Locate resources you can access in a way that’s convenient and comfortable for you. If you have limited Internet access, request telephone numbers, printed materials, or one-on-one meetings.
Partner with your child’s teachers early on, and stay in close touch with them. Make sure teachers’ input is well-documented and that this record is transferred to your child’s future school(s).
Be an active participant at your child’s IEP meetings. Consider asking your DoDEA case manager to attend with you if you’re concerned about an upcoming transfer to another school.
In Your Corner: Exceptional Family Member Program
The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) exists to support military families with special needs and ensure their needs are met. Enrollment is mandatory and required immediately upon identification of a special need. Unfortunately, far fewer family members who are eligible are currently enrolled in this valuable program. (Source: NDAA 2010 Conference report)
Plan Ahead but Go with the Flow
Be proactive about your child’s education and plan ahead, but be flexible. If there’s one thing a military parent knows well, it pays to have a contingency plan!
Kristin Stanberry is a writer and editor specializing in parenting, education, and consumer health/wellness issues. Her areas of expertise include learning disabilities and AD/HD, topics which she wrote about extensively for Schwab Learning and GreatSchools.This article was made possible by a grant from Oak Foundation.
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