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

Federal and State laws require all public school districts to provide "free, appropriate and individualized education for all handicapped children". Both Federal and State legislation mandate timelines for referral, assessment, certification, placement, and provisions of appropriate services to all students with exceptional needs.

The California Master Plan for Special Education is implemented in each district through a variety of educational programs for the learning handicapped, communicatively handicapped, physically handicapped, and severely handicapped. Instruction is given according to the needs of the student based on an individualized education plan (IEP). Parents participate in planning the specific educational program for their special education child.

Please contact the NAS Lemoore School Liaison Officer at 558-998-2242 with any questions on local Special Education or Early Intervention services.

California has a network of Regional Centers that provide services to individuals with disabilities. The Central Valley Regional Center (CVRC) provides services to residents of Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, and Tulare counties. A physician's referral to CVRC is not needed. Parents who have a child with a disability, developmental delay or suspect a developmental delay can contact CVRC directly.

The Visalia office is for residents Tulare and Kings Counties including the cities of NAS Lemoore, Hanford and Lemoore.  If you live in another county, please reach out to your EFMP Case Liaison for the correct Regional Center for where you are located in California. 

CVRC Visalia Office 559-738-2200

0- 3 Year Olds

Families whose infants or toddlers have a developmental delay or disability or a risk of delay may be eligible to receive an "Early Start". Teams of specialists evaluate and assess infants or toddlers and provide appropriate early intervention and family support services for young children from birth to three years of age.

Parents with children ages zero - 3 years old who are concerned their child is not reaching developmental milestones can self-refer to (CVRC) Central Valley Regional Center 559-738-2200 in Visalia.

Intake phone: 559-738-2240.

Kings County residents can also contact the Infant/Child Development Program at UCP of the Central Valley (559) 584-1551 in Hanford to arrange a free developmental screening, and if needed, families will be connected to CVRC.

3 - 21 Year Olds

Children ages 3 - 21 years old are provided Special Education services though their local public school districts. Talk with your child's teacher, school administration or your school district's Special Services department with any concerns.

For children ages 3-5 who have not started school, contact the School District where you live. The NAS Lemoore School Liaison Officer 559-998-2242 can assist you in locating your school district.

21+

There are several day training and activity programs available for disabled adults of differing ability levels in Tulare, Kings and Fresno counties who have aged out of the Special Education system at age 22.  Your Regional Center case worker will assist you with finding the correct one for you and your family member.