MCAS Yuma  Exceptional Family Member Program

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.

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.

For early intervention assistance, school districts request individuals contact them for specific information. You may obtain additional information by contacting:

National Information Center for Children & Youth with Handicaps at P.O. Box 1492 Washington, D.C. 20010, Telephone 1-800-695-0285

Other services and assistance can be provided at the Child Development Center, New Parent Support Group, and Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Visiting Nurse.

Each school district provides Exceptional Student Services provides services for students between the ages of three and fourteen who have special needs. All students with disabilities categorically eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act regardless of severity may receive services. These include students with impairments in speech and language, hearing, health, and vision; orthopedic impairments; emotional and learning disabilities; mental retardation; autism; and multiple disabilities.

Educational services are available across the continuum from full inclusion in the general education classroom to off-campus alternative setting to homebound or residential placement. A team of individuals familiar with the student's needs determines the least restrictive environment for each student with special education. Recognizing the goal to provide an integrated, inclusive learning community, the District offers supports in neighborhood schools and students are placed in their home schools if possible. If placement in the home school does not meet the needs of the student, transportation is provided to the service school.

Approximately 50 special education teachers and their aides provide exceptional student services. School psychologist and psychologist's assistance offer a variety of services to the students. Speech therapists, occupational therapists, a physical therapist, an adaptive physical education teacher, and a teacher of orthopedic impairments are also available for related services. Extended school year services are provided for students for whom it is appropriate.

Special Programs

Preschool classes are offered for eligible students from their third birthday to age five (prior to kindergarten). Preschool students may be found eligible for services if they have significant speech or language delays, moderate developmental delays, or severe developmental delays.

Technology is important for student with special needs, computers are used for many skills. Additionally, some students for communication and literacy acquisition use highly specialized equipment. Cooking and laundry facilities are include in some classrooms for student who need to learn basic independent living skills.

Program Information Contacts

Information regarding specific programs may be obtained by contacting the school in your residence area or by contacting the Exceptional Student Services office at 928-502-7800. For more information about the Preschool programs, please call 928-502-8140.