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

The Exceptional Family member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory program that supports families with exceptional needs by ensuring access and availability to medical and educational services to provide continuum of care. 

EFMP services include:

• Assignment of a family case worker
• PCSing coordination and relocation assistance
• Family Training
• Special Needs forums
• Family support groups
• Local resources for education and TRICARE
• Support before and during IEPs and Inclusion Action Team (IAT) meetings
• Assistance with housing consideration and accommodations based on qualifying medical conditions and/or needs
• EFMP attorney assistance
• And more

EFMP is an inclusive environment that allows participation by persons of all abilities.

EFMP offices are located on MCRD Parris Island in Bldg. 404 (843-228-3852, 843-228-3843, 843-228-3188, 843-228-3489)

For more information visit the EFMP website Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) (southcarolina.usmc-mccs.org)

School Age (3-21 years) - Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS)

The Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) at Laurel Bay provide special education.

 Bolden Elementary School, and Elliott Elementary School provides special education services to all eligible students whose families meet the housing requirements for their children to attend a Department of Defense stateside school.

• Services are provided to students with all types and levels of disabilities within a variety of settings.
• Preschool children with disabilities are educated in a full inclusion preschool program.
• Due to the small nature of the school system and geographical location, there may be some specialized services for students that are contracted out to the local public school or another agency.
• There has been some difficulty at times finding specific services, such as a vision specialist, to provide services in this area.

Four Year Old Preschool Program

All four year old children are eligible to attend a universal preschool program that operates in two of the elementary schools. This program is for all children who turn four years of age on or before the designated date of the respective school year. It is open to all eligible children whose families meet the housing eligibility requirements for their children to attend a Department of Defense stateside school. This is a half-day preschool program provided at no cost to the parents.

Special Education Records

Parents of children enrolled in special education should hand-carry copies of all pertinent school and medical documents, to include their children's Individualized Education Program (IEP) and current testing and evaluation reports, to provide to the new school.

For additional information, please contact the local EFMP office.

Building 404 MCRD Parris Island

MCRD Parris Island (843-228-3843, 843-228-3852, 843-228-3367, 843-228-1065)

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) (southcarolina.usmc-mccs.org)