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

All public special education programs are coordinated through the local school district Child Study Team. There are a variety of special schools for very special needs children within an hour commute of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Information on these very specialized schools is available from the EFMP Office at the 87th Medical Group.

There are a few private Special Education schools within an hour commute of McGuire, with tuition ranging from $14,000 - $25,000/year. 

Special Education

Placement is determined by the Child Study Team. Programs include resource rooms and Perceptually Impaired (also known as Learning Disabled) classes. Some students are placed in special education classes outside the district, depending on needs. 

Parents of children in grades 7-12, who have any type of special education need, should contact the Child Study Team prior to arrival. They can be reached by calling 609-298-3900.

There are approximately 35 private schools within a 20 - 40 minute drive of McGuire, including Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Christian, Quaker (Friends), Lutheran and 7-Day Adventist. If you require specific information on private schools, contact the Military and Family Readiness Center. You may reach the M&FRC by calling 609-754-3154.

Individualized and small group instruction is provided for special needs students in classes staffed by special education teachers. Basic special education curriculum is locally available.

Burlington and surrounding counties have a wide variety of special education programs, but most are a 20-30+ minute bus ride from McGuire AFB. New Jersey has a "set list" of Special Ed classifications and will not recognize some classifications that are accepted in other states.

Pre-School Special Needs Program 

Pre-school special needs program is available through the North Hanover Township Schools. Screening for this program is available to any child if he/she is between the ages of 3 years and 4 years, 11 months before 1 Oct.