Dr. Maria Barkmeier, Program Analyst Office of Community Support for Military Families with Special Needs

Office of the Secretary of DefenseFL State Conference on Supporting Military Children with Special Needs

June 13, 2012

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Objectives

Background of Office Issues Research Accomplishments Tools and Products

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Organizational Structure

SECDEF

USD (Personnel & Readiness)

ASD(HA)Health Affairs

MHS

MTFs

TRICARE

ASD(RFM)

MPP CPP DODEAMC&FP

Military Community & Family Policy

OSNOffice of Special

Needs

ASD(RA)

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Among military family members, more than 350,000 may have a special needSource: Disability Status Report, 2008-12% of the population

Who is a family member with special needs? One with a chronic medical condition requiring services

from a specialist A child receiving early intervention services or

special education

Background

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Until 2010, the EFMP was a personnel function only

There was no DoD program to support these families, with the exception of the Army and Marine Corps.

Exceptional Family Member Program

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Secretary of Defense: Create an office to support families with special needs Develop policy Provide oversight of support to military families with special

needs

Military Services: Develop family support programs Provide appropriate numbers of case managers Develop and oversee individualized Services Plans Expand assignment coordination – to and within the US

FY 2010 NDAA Section 563

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Establish the Office of Community Support for Military Families with Special Needs

Assign responsibilities for: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act EFMP Identification, Enrollment and

Assignment Coordination EFMP Family Support

Response to the NDAA

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Exceptional Family Member Program Expand the EFMP to include family support Expand the EFMP to include coordination of

assignments within the US

Study issues that are raised by family members regarding access to services

Response to the NDAA

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OSD augmented Service funding in FY 2010 & 2011

Services hired 120 EFMP family support personnel

OSN drafted a new EFMP policy

Response to the NDAA

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Selected nominees to represent all Services , National Guard and Reserve Component Spouse Child (under 18 years old) Child (over 18 years old)

Focus on families’ successes and challenges 2013 Formal Panel with worldwide

representation

EFMP FAMILY PANELSEPT 27, 2011 and March 6, 2012

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Analysis of Trends

Focus Groups EFMP Family Panel Congressional Military Family Caucus National Council on Disability report for USMC Congressional requirements (currently access to

special education) Issues raised at Joint Service working groups General Accountability Office (GAO)

Challenges to Military Families

Relocation

Transfers between schools

Comparable special services

Quality services family members with special needs

Specialized medical care

Access to Medicaidwaivers

Support when far from family

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Communication Consistency

Access to special education Health Care

Access to medical care following a PCS move Discontinuity of medical services between

TRICARE regions Access to Federal/State programs, e.g., Medicaid

Issues

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Focus on Family Support

Has met monthly – since 2009

Approaching EFMP jointly

Developed: Joint EFMP logo, communication plan, and marketing materials

Collaborating on DoD policy

National Guard and Coast Guard represented

Joint Service EFMP Working Group

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Analysis

Research:

Access to Special Education/Ohio State University

Family Support/Cornell University and Kansas University

Access to Medicaid/West Virginia University/Tricare

Functional Analysis*

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NDAA 2010 requires the establishment of a system for: Record keeping Reporting Continuous monitoring of resources for families with

special needs Functional Analysis will analyze current data and case

management systems Outcome will be recommendations for a DoD-wide

approach This is a LONG TERM project

Functional Analysis

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Exceptional Family Member Program: Family Support Case management, non-clinical

Information and Referral Training/Education Assistance before, during and after a PCS move Represent families with special needs to leadership

Services Plans Referral for medical case management

EFMP Policy

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An individualized plan written in collaboration with the family support provider and the family or the family member with special needs that documents current situation and steps to achieve their desired outcome.

Services Plan (SP)

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Exceptional Family Member Program: Assignment Coordination Identification and enrollment Coordination of assignments

CONUS OCONUS Stabilization of tours

EFMP Policy

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Oversight

Council on Accreditation – EFMP standards on family support

EFMP site visits Monitoring of early intervention and special

education within DoD

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Collaboration

U.S. Department of Agriculture/Land Grant Universities

Joint Service working groups TRICARE/Health Affairs DoD Education Activity Partnership Office U.S. Department of Education U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services

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Provides guidance in delivering family support

Provides overview of federal, state, and community resources

Provides tools and information for providers specific to the military lifestyle

EFMP Family Support Reference Guide

Service Provider Outreach Kits

Trade show support Pull-up banner Table covering Outdoor banner Easels for displaying materials

Giveaways Lapel pins Stickers Notepads

Replenishing the Family Information Kits – Summer ‘12

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Every installation library and every EFMP received 32 books for families, teens, children

Picture books: e.g., Arnie and the New Kid Middle School: e.g., Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children

with Special Needs: Stories of Love and Understanding 18 professional books

Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd ed Fundamentals of Case Management Practice: Skills for

Human Services

Library and Professional Materials

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Every EFMP family support program received subscriptions to seven journals: Autism Aspergers Digest Autism File Autism Spectrum Quarterly Exceptional Parent Focus on Autism and Other Developmental

Disabilities Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Teaching Exceptional Children

Journals

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Online: MilitaryHOMEFRONT Online: NEW Military OneSource – merging with MHF Newsletters: The Exceptional Advocate Publications Training and Education Military OneSource: Consultants

and materials

OSD Support for Families

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eLearning Module Early Intervention Services eLearning Module: Special Education EFMP Family Support Reference Guide

To be posted on Military OneSource Summer2012

DoD Resources

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The Exceptional Advocate – HTML version

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The Exceptional Advocate – Flash version

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Provides tools and resources to support a family member with special needs

Accompanied by an online Facilitator’s Guide and PowerPoint deck for training

Currently for birth to 18 Coming – for adults

Parent Tool Kits – available through Military OneSource

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Redesigned PDF enhances usability Quick and easy

document navigation Automatic expenditure

calculations Accessible with

screen readers and Braille printers

SCORs (Children and Adults) available through Military OneSource

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Users asked for it---now it is available.

SCOR for adults with special needs

Newest SCOR – For Adults

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Parent Toolkits Adults with Special Needs Available on line in eight different languages:

French, German, Italian, Korean, Russian, Japanese, Spanish, Filipino.

Translated Materials

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Initial lessons aimed at family members

Provides information and access to resources

Available through Military OneSource

Titles: EFMP, early intervention, special education and adults with special needs

eLearning

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Choosing an Exceptional Life: Family-Directed Resource Organizations**

Choosing an Exceptional Life: Disability-Specific Resource Organizations and National Clearinghouses**

Choosing an Exceptional Life: Introduction to Government Benefits and Services

Care Giving: A Journey to a Changing Identity. Coping with Caregiver Stress Changing Family Roles and Relationships in Family Care Giving

** Archived

Webinars

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Add iep New webinar topics Focus on IEPs

UPCOMING WEBINARS

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Support to Families

Kids Included Together: Provided funding to child and youth programs for inclusion training

Accessible playgrounds – over 200

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QR Code for EFMP Mobile Website

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EFMP Mobile Website

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EFMP Marketing Materials

Marketing Materials were provided to all EFMP family support programs

Supporting families with special needs starts with educating them about the program.

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Web address for Education Directory http://pre.apps.mhf.dod.mil/pls/psgprod/f?

p=EFMP_DIRECTORY:HOME:0::::EKMT:37.10.0.0.0.0.0.0.0

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We know the system. We can help. 46http://www.parentcenternetwork.org

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www.stompproject.org

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Whether a family member or provider: Provide feedback when asked for input, in interviews or focus groups

Help us heighten awareness of EFM programs, materials and disability issues within your circle of influence

Encourage families to enroll in EFMP Tell them about the support available at the family centers

and MTFs Share our EFMP logo and new materials with others

CALL TO ACTION

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Cherish and nurture our military children with special needs.

They serve uswell!

Heroes for the Future!

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Contact Information

Dr. Maria V. Barkmeier

Program Analyst

Office of Community Support for Military Families with Special Needs (OSN)

(703) 588-0879

Maria.Barkmeier@osd.mil