Special Education/EIS

All states and territories must provide early intervention services to children who have, or are at risk for having, developmental delays, from birth to their third birthday.

Most CONUS locations, local school districts or health departments provide these early intervention services. The program is called different names in different areas, but it is often referred to as Part C because that is the section of the law that pertains to early intervention. The Education Directory for Children with Special Needs has a list of resources specific to each state to help you determine who you should contact. Your installation EFMP Family Support provider can also answer your questions.

If you are moving OCONUS or to a CONUS location with a DODEA school (and you live on installation), your child will receive EIS through the Defense Department’s Educational and Developmental Intervention Services, or EDIS, program.

When moving, you should hand carry copies of your child's most current individual family service plan, or IFSP, and the most current evaluation reports to your new home to ensure they are not lost.

All states and territories provide special education and related services to eligible children between the ages of 3 through 21.

When a child transfers to a different district in the same state, the new school must provide a free, appropriate public education, including comparable services, until the previously held IEP is adopted or a new one is developed and implemented. When a child transfers to another state, the receiving school must provide comparable services until an IEP review can determine if a new evaluation or IEP is appropriate.

If you are moving and your child receives special education and related services, you should hand carry all necessary school and medical documents, including the most current IEP and current evaluation reports. Hand carrying these documents ensures that they are not lost and allows the new school to begin the process as soon as you arrive.

• Education Directory for Children with Special Needs
• EFMP & Me digital tool
• Individualized Education Program & Moving
• Special Needs Parent Toolkit
• Special Needs Resources
• Exceptional Family Member Program videos

Parents of children enrolled in special education should hand-carry all pertinent school and medical documents to include their children's Individualized Education Program (IEP) and current testing and evaluation reports.

If your child requires specialized equipment (for example large print books, an FM trainer, or Braille services) contact the Area Special Education Coordinator in Okinawa.

Pacific Area Office
Special Education Coordinator
DoDDS-Pacific, Area Office
Unit 35007
FPO  AP  96373-5007

011-81-98-611-744-5903/5670
DSN: 315-6444-5903/5670
Fax: 011-81-98-957-4536

Japan District Superintendent's Office
DoDDS Japan District
Unit 5072
APO AP 96328-5072

DSN: 315-225-3954
011-81-425522510 ext .5-3940

Due to Sasebo's isolated location, please contact the school prior to your decision to accept orders to Sasebo if any of your children have special education needs.

If you are already enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, potential problems should be discussed with your detailer and the overseas screening representative at your current duty station concerning the limited resources available prior to accepting orders for Sasebo. Details should be kept current of a service member's EFM status. Therefore, your family member's needs should be considered.

At Sasebo schools, Darby Elementary, Sasebo Elementary, and EJ King High, DoDDS provides the following level of services.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Services not available at this location.

Communication/Speech Impaired: Services are available to provide comprehensive speech and language interventions in individual, small group, and/or general education classroom settings.

Emotionally Impaired: Services not available at this location.

Hearing Impaired: Services are available on an as-needed-basis to provide consultation for students with hearing impairments who can be served in the general education classrooms. The Hearing Impaired Specialist is not located within the school complex and on-site visits may be limited. Minor environmental modifications and some special materials are available. Support is provided for children whose hearing disability is typically corrected with hearing aids. This is not an appropriate location for children who are deaf or who require the services of an interpreter.

Specific Learning Disability: Services are available to provide individualized instruction in the general education classroom with resource room support (up to 50% of the of the day).

Intellectual Disability (Mental Retardation): Services are available for children who have mild mental retardation and receive the majority of their instruction in general education classroom (approximately 75% or greater) with resource room support. Independence is stressed with minimal additional supervision or support.

Preschool (3-5 years of age): Services are available for children with developmental delays and/or other identified disabilities who require daily or less frequent support in a developmental preschool classroom setting.

Visually Impaired Consultation: Services are provided on an as-needed-basis to support children with low vision who can be served in a general education classroom. The Visually Impaired Specialist is not located within the school complex and on-site visits may be limited. This may include equipment for providing magnification and high contrast, large print books, and environmental modifications for light control and/or preferential seating. This is not an appropriate location for children who are blind and require pre-Braille or Braille instruction or orientation and mobility training.