What's in the news this month?
Scroll Through Articles of interest for our military families:
“Thousands May Join Class Action Suit Over Special Education Delays” dated 26 August 2022 by Tina Kelley from NJ.com at https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2022/08/26/thousands-may-join-class-action-suit-over-special-education-delays/30003
“Kids In Special Ed Were Shifted Back Online. Is It A Move To The Virtual Basement?” dated 19 August 2022 by Beth Hawkins from The 74 at https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2022/08/19/kids-in-special-ed-were-shifted-back-online-is-it-a-move-to-the-virtual-basement/29991
Guide providing helpful tools and tips to integrate a child with autism into their new home is at https://www.mymove.com/moving/guides/moving-children-with-autism.
”Soldier For Life Podcast on “Special Needs Awareness: Tips to Know” by COL David Grant and Scott Campbell at https://usarmysoldierforlife.libsyn.com/s10e8-special-needs-awareness-tips-to-know
“Raising an Autistic Child as Active Duty Military with Rich Davis” from Moms Autism Money at https://momautismmoney.com/military-autistic-child
“Delays For Autism Diagnosis And Treatment Grew Even Longer During The Pandemic” dated 30 March 2022 by Andy Miller and Jenny Gold from Kaiser Health News at https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2022/03/30/delays-for-autism-diagnosis-and-treatment-grew-even-longer-during-the-pandemic/29779
“Ed Department: Students With Disabilities Must Be Considered As Schools Go Mask Optional” dated 28 March 2022 by Michelle Diament from Disability Scoop at https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2022/03/28/ed-department-students-with-disabilities-must-be-considered-as-schools-go-mask-optional/29774
“Tax Breaks for Families With Special Needs” dated 6 January 2022 from Military OneSource at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/special-needs/adults-with-special-needs/tax-breaks-for-families-with-special-needs/?utm_campaign=ea-enews-winter2022&utm_content=html&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
For more info on far more events for individuals with autism or similar disabilities in Northern Virginia, please join the ASNV email list serv at http://www.asnv.org or the POAC-nova email list serv at http://poac-nova.org/join-poac-nova. Both these email list servs are FREE!
“Life Journey through Autism: A Guide for Military Families”. See the Organization for Autism Research website at https://operationautism.org for a free guide includes information about services, resources, & support available to active-duty and retired military families.
Which state is the best?
We are often asked for a place to get a state-versus-state comparison for adults with a disability. The best location that we know of is the updated UCP website for 2020 at http://caseforinclusion.org. However, families should use this website in conjunction with other sources of research such as local Autism Societies, Arc Chapters, Centers for Independent Living, and a state’s developmental disabilities organization (like the Virginia DBHDS) where they can find information on the state’s waiver programs. Using several sources provides a better overall picture of states’ services. Also, services can differ significantly from locality to locality and county to county in some states. In addition, while some states provide better independent living services, they may be lacking in special education services and vice-versa. Good luck!
What do you do when your child turns 18?
We have been getting a lot of questions lately from military families about what to do when their child turns 18. In response, we have compiled the list at https://poac-nova.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Going-Into-Legal-Adulthood.pdf for families in Virginia. Recently added were a couple of sample letters to DFAS. Many children of those on our board have turned 21, and they have lived and dealt with most of the issues and processes on the list. If we missed anything as you go through this trying time with your loved one with a disability, please contact Scott Campbell at campbellsservices@gmail.com.
Special Needs Trusts Information
The DOD Policy letter, dated 31 Dec 15 on "Enabling Payment of Survivor Benefit Plan Annuities to a Special Needs Trust (SNT)" and a copy of the "Template for Special Needs Trust Certification" has been uploaded. You will need to get filled out by the attorney or agency who wrote the Special Needs Trust for your child. If you would like a copy of these documents, please send me an email at campbellsservices@gmail.com. The Special Needs Trust Certification, a copy of the whole SNT, and a cover letter is mailed to Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), U.S. Military Retired Pay, 8899 E 56th Street, Indianapolis IN 46249-1200. The letter must list their relationship to the beneficiary (the child), state their decision to make direct payment to an existing SNT, and include the beneficiary's SSN. If you have questions about where to send it or anything else, call DFAS at 800 321-1080. More DFAS info on this option can be found at https://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/provide/sbp/special-needs-trust.html. If you have questions about any of this, please call me 703 969-6730. Good luck!
Fort Belvoir, Virginia EFMP upcoming events and others in their area:
EFMP
Exceptional Family Member Program Contact for more information is Marlo Keller at marlo.b.keller2.civ@mail.mil or 571-231-7020.
Marine Corp Base, Quantico
Activities and workshops are open to all military connected families enrolled in EFMP or with children with special needs- active duty or retired all branches or service. You can register to attend any of the above listed events by emailing the Quantico EFMP mailbox at quanticoefmpoffice@usmc-mccs.org or call by calling the Quantico EFMP office at 571-931-0524.
Naval Support Activity- Bethesda, Maryland & NSA-Washington EFMP area events:
For more info, contact Walkidia “Walky” Fradera, EFMP Case Liaison, Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Military and Family Support Center (Fleet and Family Support Center) at 202-656-4161 or walkidia.l.fradera.ctr@mail.mil.
Fort George G. Meade, Maryland EFMP area events:
For more info, contact Meritta Dawson, Soldier and Family Assistance Program Manager, 4550 Parade Field Lane Room Ste 241 A at 301-677-7060 (Office), 443-683-0282 (Cell), Toll Free 877-220-2522, or at Meritta.r.dawson.civ@mail.mil.
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, DC EFMP area events:
USAF Exceptional Family Member Program and Special Needs Identification & Assignment Coordination, daily Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4:30pm at MFSC/JBAB Bldg. 13, 118 Brookley Ave, SW, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, DC 20032. Call this number for more information or to register at 202-767-0450. The EMFP and SNIAC are two separate yet related functions working together to enhance the quality of life for Air Force Families. The programs support and identify active-duty sponsors who have EFM’s with special educational or medical needs.
Joint Base Andrews, Maryland EFMP None at this time.
Langley Air Force Base, Virginia EFMP None at this time.
1. 'Hampton Roads (VA) EFMP Special Needs Families (Retired/Active) est. 2005' Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Hamptonroadsefmp
2. 'Virginia Military Special Needs Family Support' Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/663908243652397
3. 'Military Special Needs Family Support (Worldwide)' Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/361765527275172
4. 'USAF EFMP Family Support' Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/237346392971057
5. Disability Community of Hampton Roads - Virginia Facebook Page at https://m.facebook.com/hamptonroadsspecialneeds. Sharing events and information for all cities of Hampton Roads for all disabilities and all ages.
6. TACA Autism Virginia at https://www.facebook.com/tacavirginia
Virginia Autism Foundation contact info at www.virginiaautismfoundation.com or https://www.facebook.com/virginiaautismfoundation
Virginia Autism Project's Facebook group page at https://www.facebook.com/virginiaautismproject
Partners in PROMISE at https://thepromiseact.org and https://www.facebook.com/PartnersinPROMISE. Partners in PROMISE (PIP) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that serves as a representative voice for our Exceptional Military Family Members (EFMP). PIP was founded in January 2020 by four mothers to Protect the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (PROMISE). Focusing on a strategy of educating, advising and advocacy, Partners in PROMISE is the link between special needs families, established military service organizations, the Department of Defense, and legislators, working towards collaborative solutions to complex problems.
Past Month's Information:
"Consumer Review Site Takes on Adaptive Products,
8 February by Shaun Heasley from Disability Scoop at https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2022/02/08/consumer-review-site-takes-on-adaptive-products/29693
“Feds Warn Health Providers About Denying Care To Those With Disabilities”
7 February 2022 by Michelle Diament from Disability Scoop at https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2022/02/07/feds-warn-health-providers-about-denying-care-to-those-with-disabilities/29691
“Military kids face delays, inequities in getting special education services”
3 February 2022 by Karen Jowers from the Military Times at https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/2022/02/03/military-kids-face-delays-inequities-in-getting-special-education-services
“Intrusive, Irrelevant, Invasive, Inappropriate, and...”
3 February 2022 by Jeremy Hilton on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/intrusive-irrelevant-invasive-inappropriate-jeremy-hilton/?trackingId=GUOyeIEeSa6DLLtLrLSV0g%3D%3D or https://www.dropbox.com/s/9ise4ixs1i3eo2x/DoD%20Provision%20of%20ABA%20History%20FINAL.pdf?dl=0
“Tax Breaks for Families With Special Needs”
6 January 2022 from Military OneSource at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/special-needs/adults-with-special-needs/tax-breaks-for-families-with-special-needs/?utm_campaign=ea-enews-winter2022&utm_content=html&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery