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 Special Education Program in all Nebraska school districts is designed to enable the special needs student to achieve his fullest potential. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed for each student who enters the program. All rules and regulations pertaining to Public Law 94-142 are adhered to.

If your child has been certified as legally disabled, gather all paper reports (make copies) that have pertinent information (IEPs) about your child. This will speed up the placement process when taken to the school district office where you decide to live.

If your child has not been certified, but you suspect that your child will be in need of special services, ask the district to help you get a diagnosis for your child. The districts' offices are open throughout the summer.

Personnel assigned to Offutt AFB with an exceptional family member are mandated to contact the Special Needs Identification section located at the Ehrling Bergquist Clinic on the 1st floor located across from the inpatient pharmacy. In addition, EFMP families should contact the Airman & Family Readiness Center for support, information, and referrals to agencies which can assist new families with needed services.

Special Needs Identification and Assignment Coordination (SNIAC)

The spirit and intent of the SNIAC process is to ensure military sponsors are assigned to locations where family member's special medical, mental health, or educational needs can be met, helping the Air Force member maintain a world-wide assignment status.

A special needs family member is limited to the active duty member's spouse, child, or other military recognized dependent with special medical, mental health, or educational needs requiring specialized care.

Installation Helping Agencies and Programs

Give Parents a Break (GPAB) -- Funded by the Air Force Aid Society for families who are experiencing stress due to a spouse TDY, remote tour, having a child with special needs and challenging circumstances of health and well being. The Child Development Center provides care for children from 1-12 years of age. Reservations and a certificate are required to take advantage of GPAB. Certificates can be issued by the Airman and Family Readiness Center, First Sergeants, medical providers and the Child Development Center.

Respite Care -- A "gift of time" for families who provide care for a medically fragile family member. Families are referred for respite care on a needs-based system and are initiated through the SNIAC process and Family Advocacy.

Offutt Airman and Family Readiness Center -- The A&FRC's primary focus is to support readiness by helping families and single military members adapt to the demands of Air Force life. Through information and referral the A&FRC can assist with providing resources for couple and family counseling, parenting concerns, work-related issues and more.