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 Resources
• Exceptional Family Member Program videos

The Navy's Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, CT, provides support for families with special educational needs, including Early Intervention Services (EIS) for children from birth to 3 years old and special education services for those aged 3 to 21. This program coordinates with local Groton Public Schools and other agencies to assist with medical, educational, and other services, and helps with transitions during Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves.

To apply, families must identify and enroll their exceptional family members, which is a mandatory process. Services are provided through a network of support, including the Fleet and Family Support Centers, which act as a central hub for assistance and referrals. Families can find resources through the base's Military and Family Support Center and the Military OneSource website.

Program overview

• Purpose: The EFMP is a mandatory program for active-duty service members with family members who have long-term medical or special education needs.
• Support areas: The program offers a range of support, including identification and enrollment, assignment coordination, and family support.
• EIS and Special Education: It provides support for Early Intervention Services for children from birth to age 3, and special education services for children up to age 21, in coordination with states and local schools like Groton Public Schools.

Key resources at New London

• EFMP Family Support: Located within the base's Military and Family Support Center, these providers offer information and resources on EIS and special education services.
• Military OneSource: This is a key resource for information on the EFMP, including special education and EIS services available at the base.
• School Liaison Office: Provides support for transitioning students from pre-K through 12th grade, which can include help with transferring credits and registering for classes.

How to get help

• Contact EFMP Family Support: The first step is to contact the EFMP Family Support provider at Naval Submarine Base New London or visit Military OneSource.
• Work with local schools: The program will help coordinate with local schools, including Groton Public Schools, to identify and secure the services your child needs.
• Utilize other resources: Explore resources on the Military OneSource website, such as the Education Directory for Children with Special Needs, for making informed assignment decisions.

The Exceptional Family Member Program has three components:

1. Identification and enrollment. Enrollment in the EFMP is mandatory for active-duty service members who have a family member with a qualifying medical and/or educational condition. When a family member is identified with special medical and/or educational needs, the special needs are documented through enrollment in the EFMP. The EFMP medical component coordinates identification and enrollment into the EFMP.
2. Assignment coordination. Medical and military personnel work with service members and families to coordinate assignments. While the military mission is the driving force, enrollment in EFMP ensures that a family member’s special medical and/or educational needs are considered during the assignment process.
3. Family support. Family support is provided by EFMP Family Support providers at installation family support centers. EFMP Family Support assists families with special needs by helping them identify and navigate programs and services. This includes but is not limited to: information and referral for military and community services, education and outreach, development of family services plans, referral to other military and family support providers, local school and early intervention services information, warm handoffs to EFMP at the next location and non-clinical case management.

Early intervention services (EIS) are available for children from birth to 3 years old, and special education services are available to children from 3 to 21 years old. Installation EFMP Family Support providers can provide specific information and resources for these services.

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) serves Navy families with special needs. Qualifying special needs include any kind of specialty medical care or any type of educational support services, either of them lasting 6 months or longer.

Exceptional Family Member Program Resource Overview

• Early intervention services (EIS)
• Individual Education Programs (IEP)
• Referrals to speech/occupational therapy
• Clinical counseling
• Required adaptive equipment
• Assistive devices and services
• Wheelchair accessibility

Any additional criteria for Identifying Family Members with Special Needs are found in DoDI1315.19, section 3.

• EFMP Coordinator: 860-694-2634
• EFMP Case Liaison: 860-694-4378
• EFMP MED Clinic: 860-694-4824
• EFMP Case Liaison: 401-595-6897 

Infoline is a directory of community services for NSB New London. Contact the EFMP Liaison at FFSC for more information at 860-694-3383.