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

Special Education classes are held in all public schools for children with learning, physical, mental, and/or behavioral disabilities. The goal of all special education services is to provide educational services and support in the least restrictive environment. The learning environment and services of students with special needs is the decision of the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee, which parents are always a part of. Rest at ease that no matter the need of your child, there are district supports available in Abilene, Texas. Contact the Special Education Office for additional information concerning available programs and to discuss your child’s needs. Meetings can be called by the parent at any time.

Military members with a family member who receives Special Education services are required to enroll in the Exceptional Family Member Program-Medical (EFMP-M). Personnel arriving with an exceptional family member should contact the Exceptional Family Member Program-Medical (EFMP-M) office. The office is located on the 2nd floor of the Medical Group across from Optometry in room 2B04 and can be reached at DSN: 312-461-1778 or 312-461-8146 and Comm: 325-696-1778 or 325-696-8146.

The EFMP-M is designed to aid the children and adult dependents of eligible military personnel. These are individual cases and should be referred to EFMP-M so that all services and education may be coordinated with the Exceptional Family Member Program-Assignments (EFMP-A), the Exceptional Family Member Program-Family Support (EFMP-FS), the School Liaison (SL), and local schools and medical facilities for the inbound personnel.

Dependents who have emotional, physical, and/or mental diagnoses are provided treatment under this program. This assistance may be in the line of counseling, special medical or educational assistance, referrals to on- and off-base resources, and financial assistance.