Goodfellow AFB  Exceptional Family Member Program

The IDEA requires that all states and territories provide special education and related services to eligible children between the ages of 3 through 21. Each local school district has a special education director, and each school should have an individualized education program, or IEP, team or school-based committee that supports students with special education needs.

The IDEA requires that if 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. If a child transfers to another state, the receiving district must provide comparable services until the receiving district completes an evaluation and creates a new IEP, if appropriate.

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

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education, offers the Parent Center Hub – also known as the Center for Parent Information and Resources – which has collections of links to serve families and adults with special needs from birth through age 26. They assist families in getting appropriate education and services for their children, work to improve education services for all children, train and inform parents and professionals, resolve problems between families and schools or other agencies and connect those with disabilities to community resources. Find your local parenting center and more by visiting their website.

You can also try these resources from Military OneSource:

• EFMP & Me digital tool
• Special Needs Parent Toolkit download
• Special needs resources 
• Education Directory for Children with Special Needs
• Exceptional Family Member Program videos 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, requires all states and territories to provide early intervention services to children from birth through 3 years of age who have, or are at risk for having, developmental delays. 

Local school districts or health departments often provide these early intervention services. The program is called different names in different areas, but it is often referred to as Part C because it is the section of the law that pertains to early intervention. The national Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center provides a list of State Part C coordinators and funded programs on their website. 

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

San Angelo Independent School District (SAISD)

SAISD provides education of children over age 3, who have a special need, example: those with a hearing impairment, on an established IEP/IFSP, learning disability. When PCS-ing to Goodfellow, carry hard copies of your children's files to include, medical records, shot record, physical, school records and documentation of how the child was tested (results are valid for 3 years from the date of the test), IEP/IFSP, 504 plan, letters or documentation of child's from teachers or counselors.

Parent/guardian should first contact the principal or counselor of the school in which the child will be enrolled. Contact the SAISD at 325-657-4057 for attendance zones. Elementary school offices often close in the summer around June 10th -August 1st, so parents should plan accordingly. 

Prekindergarten Program

SAISD offers a full and half day Pre-K program for children who are 4 years old on or before September 1st 2015 and MUST meet one of the 6 criteria stated:

1. Is limited in the ability to speak and/or comprehend the English language; or
2. Is eligible for free or reduced lunch based on the family's income; or 
3. Is homeless as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 1143a; or 
4. Is the child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by proper authority; or 
5. Is the child of a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty 
6. Is or has been in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Service following an adversary hearing held as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code.

Head Start/Early Head Start

Provides free education for eligible pre-school age children, during the school year. There is a special focus on helping children from birth to age five develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school. Early Head Start/Head Start promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of enrolled children through the provision of educational, nutritional, health, social and other services. There is an emphasis on family service, parent involvement, quality educational services, access to health care and age appropriate screenings, as well as services for children with disabilities. Early Head Start/Head Start parents are highly encouraged to become active participants in their child's learning. Parents are also provided with assistance in making progress towards their own educational, literacy, and employment goals. There is often a wait list for this program.
Concho Resource Center

Individuals who are diagnosed with a variety of mental or physical disabilities are eligible. Individuals must be 16 years of age or older, must be self-medicating without supervision and must have the stamina to work a minimum of three hours a day.
Services offered include:

• Vocational Services
• Pre-vocational Services
• Job Readiness Training Program
• Supported Employment
• Assisted Employment
• Job Coaching Services
• Job Development Services

Medical Support to Family Member Relocation and Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)-M.

The EFMP-M process is a program specifically designed for active duty families to:

• Ensure availability of services for family members of active duty military personnel in the event of a PCS move.
• Assists families with relocation when a medical or special education condition exists and services are not available at the current or PCS location. 
• Assist families in finding needed resources both on base and in the community.

A medical special need means that the family member requires specialized medical care (urology, neurology, psychiatry, developmental pediatrics, etc.) for an ongoing, chronic illness.

An educational special need means that a family member requires special educational services in order to progress academically. These services are identified in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan and may include resource rooms, psychological services, occupational or physical therapy, and/or adaptive equipment.

Enrollment is mandatory for all active duty military personnel who have a family member(s) with a special need(s). EFMP personnel can help to ensure needed services will be available, on or off base, prior to a PCS move. They can also help with EFM reassignments and deferments.

The Air Force ensures families with special needs are assigned to locations where required services are available. Family Member Relocation Clearance (FMRC) is a screening process used to identify special needs and determine the availability of services at projected locations. The EFMP process does not affect who is eligible for PCS, TDY, or mobility. Enrollment will continue as long as a special need exists.

Personnel arriving with a Special Needs Family Member should contact the Exceptional Family Member Program-Medical (EFMP-M) office upon arrival; they are located at the Ross Medical Clinic on Goodfellow AFB. Please call 325-654-4672. For additional information on support services and resources for exceptional family members, please contact the Exceptional Family Member
Program - Family Support (EFMP-FS) Coordinator located at the Airman and
Family Readiness Center.

DoDI 1315.19
AFI 36-2110
AFI 40-701