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

EFMP Courses

The Army Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) has partnered with LRP Publications to bring DirectSTEP® eCourses at NO CHARGE to Soldiers/Family Members, Army EFMP staff and Special Education staff associated with teaching military children. DirectSTEP® is an excellent opportunity for anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of Special Education and related topics. It is an outstanding resource that explains legal requirements, best practices for behavior management, autism, IDEA eligibility, IEPs and more. DirectSTEP® eCourses teach staff, parents and educators how to handle critical education issues to obtain positive outcomes.

EFMP Respite Care Program

The Respite Care Program is a component of EFMP that provides a temporary rest period for Family members responsible for regular care of persons with disabilities. Care may be provided in the EFMP respite care user’s home and Child, Youth and School Services facilities. Respite care is important because it decreases Family stress, increases Family stability and reduces costly out-of-home placements, thereby contributing to Soldier readiness.

Respite care services can be accessed through the central contract by contacting the Fort Riley ACS EFMP office at (785) 239-9435.

For the most part, the Army Community Service's Installation's Exceptional Family Member Program Coordinator assists with educational, medical, housing and other needs required to meet the exceptional family members basic issues. The Geary County School District operates the schools on the installation and is the primary point of contact in locating the nearest school to help with the needs of the exceptional family member.