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

Comprehensive special service programs are available for students ages birth to 21 within the Oak Harbor, Coupeville and Anacortes School Districts. Students must meet eligibility requirements in order to access these programs.

The special services programs include Special Education, Title 1, Learning Assistance Program (LAP), and English as a Second Language (ESL) support. All eligible students are educated within the district and can receive services to meet academic, social and physical needs. Oak Harbor Public Schools and Coupeville School District also provide a Transitions Program for teenagers beyond the 12th grade. This program extends the educational experience beyond 12th grade and provides training and life skills opportunities. Educational experiences are designed to promote independence, develop work skills and to prepare the student for life post high school. Upon completion, students will receive their high school diploma, transition into a college environment or enter into the work force.

Washington State provides training programs, information, referral services, and support to families and children with special needs. Washington PAVE (Partnerships for Action and Voices for Empowerment) is a non-profit organization with a staff comprised of parents who have children with special needs and can provide training, support, and advocacy for you and your student. Parents can access STOMP (Specialized Training of Military Parents) through the PAVE website.

Since there are no public or DoD schools on this installation, there are no special education programs offered. Each school district has its own special education programs.

However, the installation does have a full-time School Liaison Officer (SLO). The SLO is the primary point of contact between the military installation, the local school administration, parents, and the community. The SLO specializes in serving military families by supporting families with school transfers, providing information on local schools, assisting with school choice, deployment support, and so much more. The NASWI SLO can be reached at 360-257-6863.

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Coordinator is located at Naval Health Clinic Oak Harbor. The EFMP Coordinator will assist you in enrolling your student in the EFM program and can be reached at 360-257-9582/9223, or by email at usn.whidbey-island.navhospoharwa.list.suitabilitycoordinator@health.mil.

There are two EFMP Liaison’s located at Fleet and Family Support Center. The EFMP Case Liaisons are available to assist you in finding helpful information and resources available in the local and surrounding areas. The contact numbers are 360-257-5266/1568 or 360-257-NAVY (6289).