Military Homefront eNewsletter (EFMP info)

1. DoD Office of Community Support for Military Families
with Special Needs September 2010 eNewsletter
Military OneSource
The military family lifestyle can be rewarding, but it can also present challenges. Issues
unique to the military like deployment, frequent relocations, or intermittent single
parenting, can make it difficult to do the research needed to identify resources for your
special needs child. That is where Military OneSource (MOS) comes in!
MOS provides up to twelve consultations with highly trained specialists who can assess
your family’s needs and locate the appropriate resources. Check out our special needs
homepage, featuring topics and articles relevant to the military special needs community
and linking you to just about any information of interest to families.
MOS provides a wide-range of family support-related topics such as navigating the
educational system, medical resources, support groups, and moving benefits.
Service members and their families can schedule a specialty consultation by calling MOS
at 1-800-342-9647. Guard and Reserve? Give us a call. MOS can help you too!
Fort Meade Accessible Playground
Congratulations to Fort Meade on the
opening of their accessible playground. The
ribbon cutting ceremony was held on 1
September and was attended by Isabel
Hodge (far right) and Mininia Hawkins from
the Office of Community Support for
Military Families with Special Needs.

2. TRICARE
Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) Update - Effective 9 August 2010, TRICARE
Management Activity (TMA) eliminated the $2,500 per month limit for the following
ECHO benefits: diagnostic services, treatment, respite care, assistive services, and
durable equipment. Beginning on 1 November 2010, all authorized ECHO benefits, with
the exception of ECHO Home Health Care (EHHC), now accrue toward the $36,000
annual government limit with the appropriate monthly cost share.
TRICARE Q&A
Q: My child is enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) and is
registered in TRICARE's Extended Care Health Option (ECHO). Will TRICARE cover
training that I need to help my child?
A: TRICARE costs shares training on the use of an assistive technology device or to
acquire skills that are expected to lessen the effects of the ECHO qualifying condition.
When provided by a TRICARE-authorized provider, ECHO can also cost share training
for parents, guardians, and siblings that is necessary to help manage your child's
qualifying condition. For example, training on the use and maintenance of a respirator
needed by an ECHO-registered child can be covered by the ECHO. If you have any
questions, please call your regional contractor.
Q: Does this mean that parents can receive Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
training?
A: Under TRICARE's Autism Services Demonstration, Educational
Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders (EIA) services are covered; ABA is an EIA
service. TRICARE reimburses providers for parent training reflected in the ECHO family
member's behavioral plan. The training helps parents implement and reinforce skills and
behaviors. It also teaches parents to handle behaviors in a specific setting.
Computer/Electronics Accommodations Program (CAP) - Learn About
Disability.gov
Disability.gov is a federal website, managed by the United States Department of Labor’s
Office of Disability Employment Policy. The website provides disability-related
resources on programs, services, laws, and regulations. Visitors can find information on
benefits, civil rights, community life, education, emergency preparedness, employment,
housing, health, technology, and transportation. Disability.gov strives to connect people
with disabilities and their family members, veterans, caregivers, employers, and service
providers with the right resources to ensure equal participation in the workplace and the
community.

3. What’s New
Focus on IEPs Military OneSource Webinar – Dr. Maria Barkmeier, a special educator
and mentor of the Office of Community Support for Military Families with Special
Needs, and Mary Bradshaw Zimmerman of MOS will host the Focus on IEPs webinar.
This important MOS webinar will be held on 30 September 2010 at noon and 7:00PM
Eastern Time.
National Survey of Families with Special Needs - The Arc, a nationally recognized
advocacy group for individuals with disabilities, is conducting an online survey of
families that include a member with special needs or individuals themselves who have a
disability. The survey is open to all, including military families. To access the survey for
military families, visit The Arc website. The Arc plans to use the survey responses to
help inform disability organizations, services, policy, and public perceptions on issues
related to disability supports that individuals and families have now, need, or are
anticipated to need in the future.
Regional Administration on Developmental Disabilities Listening Sessions - The
United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on
Developmental Disabilities (ADD) will be holding a series of summits over the next few
months in Philadelphia, Orlando, Dallas, Detroit, and Denver. During these Envisioning
the Future summits, ADD wants to hear from self-advocates, family members, allies, and
professionals about their vision for the future of individuals with developmental
disabilities. Issue areas include transition to post-secondary education and employment,
independent living, community supports, aging, and caregiving challenges.
Coming Soon!
During the first week of October MilitaryHOMEFRONT will launch its recently updated
and reorganized Special Needs/Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) content for
Troops and Family Members!
Whether you wonder how to navigate TRICARE benefits with a special needs family
member or you need more information about special education regulations, the new
Special Needs/EFMP content on MilitaryHOMEFRONT is here to help!
MilitaryHOMEFRONT’s EFMP content has been redesigned to provide service members
and their families with straight forward, easy to locate information, resources, and tools.
The content is clearly organized and easy to navigate and is structured similarly to the
other topics addressed on MilitaryHOMEFRONT:

4. • Home: Find a concise overview of the content, quick and easy links to Service
enrollment forms, family support resources and tools, and Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) about the program.
• Benefits, Allowances, & Eligibility: Read helpful FAQs regarding programs,
services, and supports in categories including child care, education, medical
coverage, financial challenges, and more.
• Resources: Access Service-specific resources as well as additional resources
organized by category including medical, education, state, and federal resources.
• News and Updates: Check back often to find current and relevant information
about Special Needs/EFMP issues.
Visit MilitaryHOMEFRONT to check out the newly launched EFMP content and share
this information with service providers, troops and family members, and anyone else you
know who would find it helpful and informative.