Military HOMEFRONT

Military HOMEFRONT is the Department of Defense website for official Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP) program information, policy and guidance designed to help troops and their families, leaders, and service providers. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you'll find what you need!

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Military One Source

Military life comes with unique challenges. At Military OneSource the goal is to provide expert information — articles, booklets, CDs, DVDs and links to other resources — on how to deal with the challenges and issues you face every day.

Topical Sheets are available on the following topics.

• Career & Education: Career, College, Pre-K to 12, Special Needs in Education.
• Crisis: Casualty and Loss, Natural Disasters, Substance Abuse, Survivor/widow, Violence & Trauma.
• Family & Recreation: Elder Care, Home & Household, Parenting and Child Care, Recreation & Shopping.
• Financial & Legal: Finding Legal Assistance, Money Management, Specific Legal Issues.
• Health & Relationships: Adult Health, Childhood Health, Emotional Well-Being, Mental Health and Addictions, Relationships, Senior Health, Special Needs, Wounded Warrior.
• Military Life & Deployment: Deployment, Military Benefits, Military Life, Moving, Survivor/Widow, Wounded Warrior.

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National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities is the center that provides information to the nation on: disabilities in children and youth; programs and services for infants, children, and youth with disabilities; IDEA, the nation's special education law; No Child Left Behind, the nation’s general education law; and research-based information on effective practices for children with disabilities.

Anyone can use the services-families, educators, administrators, journalists, students. The special focus is children and youth (birth to age 22). On the web site, you’ll find an abundance of information on: specific disabilities; early intervention services for infants and toddlers; special education and related services for children in school; research on effective educational practices; resources and connections in every state; IEPs (individualized education programs); parent materials; disability organizations; professional associations; education rights and what the law requires; transition to adult life; and much, much more!

They offer: a toll–free number, 1.800.695.0285, bilingual services, and a team of research and information specialists who are available to talk with you and address your individual questions and concerns in English or in Spanish; a bilingual web site; and an eNews service, where you tell them what type of information you’re interested in and they send you occasional emails highlighting that type of information; and the Research Center where you can find out what research has to say about effective educational practices for children with disabilities.

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STOMP (Specialized Training of Military Parents)

STOMP (Specialized Training of Military Parents) is a federally funded Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center established to assist military families who have children with special education or health needs. STOMP began in 1985, is a project of Washington PAVE, and is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

The STOMP Project staff members are parents of children who have disabilities and thus have experience in rearing their children in military communities and traveling with their spouses to different locations. STOMP serves families in four main ways: 1. by providing information and training about laws, regulations and resources for military families of children with disabilities; 2. by connecting families to other families; 3. by assisting parents and professionals in developing their own community parent education/support group; 4. by providing a voice to raise awareness of issues faced by military families of children with disabilities.

For military families of children with disabilities, STOMP is a one-stop shop for information and training regarding special education and other resources. STOMP is a project of Washington PAVE, a grass roots parent-directed organization. This is a powerful combination that brings together: expert, comprehensive knowledge on disability/ special education laws, rights, regulations and responsibilities as they pertain to military families; a wealth of personal experience, network of personal contacts; a parent driven approach. This combination allows STOMP to deliver training information and to facilitate empowerment beyond our resources.

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The Family Village Project

The Family Village is a web site for children and adults with disabilities, their families, and their friends and allies. Family Village brings together thousands of online resources in an organized, easy–to–use directory. The centerpiece of Family Village is the library, where visitors can find information on over 300 diagnoses. Visitors can also learn about assistive technology, legal rights and legislation, special education, leisure activities and much more.

Founded in 1996, the Family Village is generously sponsored by the Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. The Waisman Center is one of nine national facilities including a Mental Retardation Developmental Disabilities Research Center and a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. The Waisman Center is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases throughout the lifespan.

Additional initiating support for the Family Village came from The Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., Foundation and The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation.

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Tricare Special Needs Resource

If you or a family member has special needs, a serious illness or sustains a serious injury, you have several TRICARE coverage options. Additionally, TRICARE has programs in place if you have a family member with a disability. The Department of Defense defines a disabled family member as any child or adult "who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment."

TRICARE covers many types of care under the basic program that you may access if you have family members with a serious illness, special needs or a disability. These covered services include: Behavioral/Mental Health Care, Cancer Clinical Trials, Durable Medical Equipment, Home Health Care, Hospice Care, and Skilled Nursing Facility Care.

You can access these services, and others, regardless of which TRICARE health plan option you are using. Beyond basic TRICARE coverage, special programs are available to meet many special needs. You or your family members may qualify for one of the programs.

TRICARE beneficiaries receiving care for chronic and/or high-risk/high-cost health issues, or for catastrophic or terminal illnesses, may receive case management services as a no-cost benefit. Case managers are usually nurses or social workers assigned according to patients’ needs and desires. Their role is to help patients who require extended resources and services, and their families, to successfully negotiate complex health care and support systems in order to maximize clinical and financial outcomes. Although participation in case management is voluntary, individuals receiving TRICARE special needs care benefits are likely to require a case manager for limited or extended periods of time, depending upon the nature of their disability and their unique needs.

To locate a case manager, contact your regional contractor or local military treatment facility. You can also contact a Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator at any time for assistance with obtaining care if you have a serious illness, injury or disability.

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Washington PAVE

PAVE is a non-profit organization that exists to share information and resources with people whose lives are linked to children and adults with disabilities. PAVE can: help you understand the educational system for preschoolers and school-age children; assist you to find services in your community for you and your child or adult with a disability; provide support when you learn that your child has a disability or chronic health care need; help you as your child transitions from school to adult life. Most of the PAVE staff members are parents who have children with special needs.

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Zero To Three National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families

ZERO TO THREE is a national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.

Neuroscientists have documented that our earliest days, weeks and months of life are a period of unparalleled growth when trillions of brain cell connections are made. Research and clinical experience also demonstrate that health and development are directly influenced by the quality of care and experiences a child has with his parents and other adults.

That is why at ZERO TO THREE our mission is to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers.

We know that as babies, the way we are held, talked to and cared for teaches us about who we are and how we are valued. This profoundly shapes who we will become.

Early experiences set a course for a lifelong process of discovery about ourselves and the world around us. Simply put, early experiences matter. We encourage you to learn more about very young children, early development and the work of ZERO TO THREE by exploring our site.

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