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

Nevada PEP is Nevada's statewide Parent Training & Information Center for families who have children with disabilities and the professionals who support them. Services are provided at no cost: Information and Referral, Statewide Lending Library, Quarterly Newsletter, Conflict Resolution Support, Individual Assistance, Parent Mentor and Advocates, Training Workshops, Volunteer Opportunities, Public Awareness, and Special Community Outreach. You can contact Nevada PEP statewide toll-free at 800-216-5188 or 702-388-8899.

Easter Seals Southern Nevada provides services for adults and children with disabilities. Services include Early Interventional and Autism training, community training, adult day services, family respite, supported living, assistive technology, Child Development, and employment solutions. You can contact Easter Seals Southern Nevada at 702-870-7050.

Nevada Early Intervention Services - provides services to children from birth to age three with disabilities or developmental delays. Services include resources, support groups, and various screenings. You can contact Nevada Early Intervention Services at 702-486-7670.

Child Find identifies and evaluates students and develops an appropriate program for children who are not currently enrolled in the Clark County Public School system, are suspected of having a disability or a developmental delay and are between the ages of 3 and 21 years old. Services include regular classroom placement with cooperative/consultative support, special education resource rooms, specialized/self-contained special education classes, speech/language service, occupational/physical therapy, physical education and home-bound instruction. You can contact Child Find at 702-799-7463.

Project ASSIST is a central resource directory for anyone seeking information about organizations, programs or agencies that may provide services and support for children and young adults up to 21 years with disabilities, and their families. Information that is available include parent support groups, respite care, screening, diagnosis or assessment, early intervention programs for infants and toddlers, preschool special education Services, education, health, and social service agencies, vocational training, physical and occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, counseling and psychological services, advocacy organizations, life planning, financial and legal assistance. You can contact Project ASSIST at 702-737-0304.

When you're moving, your to-do list can seem long enough to fill a packing box. But if your family has special medical or educational needs, help is available before, during, and after your move. Enrollment in the Exceptional Family Member Program provides military families with special needs consideration during the assignment process and access to support services to help navigate the medical and educational system.

The Exceptional Family Member Program has three components:

•Identification and enrollment of a family member with special medical or educational needs

•Assignment coordination to determine the availability of services at the projected duty station

•Family Support to help families identify and access programs and services

The Exceptional Family Member Program identifies family members with special needs. Military members arriving at Creech AFB with an exceptional family member are required to enroll the family member in the EFMP program. Contact EFMP Medical or the Special Needs Coordinator (SNC) to enroll. The office is located at the Mike O' Callaghan Federal Medical Center and can be reached at 702-653-3367 or DSN 312-348-3367.

Personnel arriving at Creech AFB with an exceptional family member should also contact the Exceptional Family Member Family Support Coordinator at the Nellis AFB Airman and Family Readiness Center to receive information about on- and off-base resources to assist families with all areas of need. The office is located at the Nellis AFB Airman and Family Readiness Center and can be reached at 702-652-3327 or DSN 312-682-3327.

How can families help ease the transition to a new school system following a move?

In addition to the support available from the installation Airman and Family Readiness Centers and Military OneSource consultants, Military INSTALLATIONS provides some suggestions for making the transition easier as your child enters a new school system following a move to a new duty station. The article, "Preparing for Your Move," provides tips for what to do prior to and after your move to help create a smooth transfer between schools.

Additionally, military families can learn about the Education Directory for Children with Special Needs for information on special-needs issues and listings of national and local resources for early intervention (for infants and toddlers) and special education (for school-age children) services.

What is the role of the family support provider?

The role of the family support provider includes:

•Helping families on the path to empowerment by providing information and referral services, non-medical case management, education and other support

•Helping relocating families pinpoint and navigate formal programs and services and informal supports

•Bridging gaps in programs, services and support by informing families on what is available, and how to apply for benefits and entitlements

What is Family Support?

The EFMP Family Support function helps families identify and access programs and services. Family Support includes, but is not limited to, the following:

•Information and Referral for military and community services

•Warm Handoffs to the EFMP Family Support at the next location

•Non-clinical Case Management

What is Assignment Coordination?

The military mission is the driving force behind the assignment process, but enrollment in the EFMP ensures that family members' documented needs are considered in the process. Assignment Coordination occurs when the personnel command requests that Department of Defense medical or educational professionals review a family member's documented needs to determine availability of services at a projected location. Assignment Coordination is important because access to appropriate medical and educational services may be limited in some areas, especially in overseas and remote locations.

How do families enroll in the program?

Families can enroll by obtaining paperwork from the EFMP Medical point of contact at their local military treatment facility, or, in the Marine Corps, from Marine Corps Community Services. The forms for enrollment are:

•Department of Defense Form 2792, "Exceptional Family Member Medical Summary." The service member, spouse or adult family member completes the first page to document medical needs. The family member's physician or other qualified medical professional completes the rest and includes the diagnosis, frequency of care, medication and any special accommodations the family member requires.

•Department of Defense Form 2792-1, "Exceptional Family Member Special Education/Early Intervention Summary." The sponsor, parent or legal guardian completes items one through seven of the first page to document educational needs. School or early intervention program personnel complete the remainder of the form, which includes the child's educational diagnosis. A copy of the individualized education program or individual family service plan pairs with the form.

Why enroll in the program?

Enrollment in the EFMP ensures that family members' documented medical and educational needs receive consideration during the assignment coordination process. Through the EFMP Family Support office, families can receive assistance with navigating military and community support systems.

Who should enroll in the program?

Family members with special medical or educational needs should enroll in the EFMP including spouses, children and dependent adults who:

•Require special medical services for a chronic condition such as asthma, attention deficit disorder, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, etc.

•Receive ongoing services from a medical specialist

•Have significant behavioral health concerns

•Receive early intervention or special education services through an individualized education program or individualized family service plan