10 TIPS for PCSing with special kids
1 . EFMP : If you are active duty be sure you are enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program and have completed overseas clearance .
2 . Preparing your Child : If your child doesn ’ t adapt well to change , have a talk about your plans as soon a possible . Don ’ t drop everything in one discussion , bit by bit provide information . Give your child time to digest the news and start to come to terms with the upcoming changes .
Helpful links :
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Exceptional Family Member Program
Army Med . Com . EFMP Procedural Safeguards ( Parent Rights - Special Education )
EDIS Special Needs Toolkit
DoDEA support directory
DoDEA SPED Procedural Guide .
� Free online special ed . courses for parents and teachers
3 . Planning : Waiting until the last moment to gather information , documents , advice , etc . isn ’ t a good plan . Meet with your child ’ s teacher or case study team to discuss goals and requirements for your child . Contact your SLO to help you identify the POC for special education at your new school . If possible , set up a time for a “ warm handoff ” teleconference between the two teams of educators .
4 . Gathering Documents : Be sure to HAND CARRY all documents . An up-to-date IEP is vital . Your new school will have to honor the IEP upon arrival . If the IEP is expired the entire process will have to begin again ! The school will likely do a re-evaluation within the first month or so . Having copies of previous evaluations will be extremely helpful if there is a divergence of opinion . The Special Care Organizational Record ( SCORE ) may help you keep all your information in one place .
5 . Furniture Pick up Day : If appropriate , allow your child to select some of the items that will go with him / her . Provide bright stickers in one color to put on all the boxes in your child ’ s room , so when items are delivered you know right away which items go in his / her room . This will allow you to get your child ’ s items out and set up quickly making him feel more at home in your new quarters .
6 . Childcare If your child won ’ t do well with the confusion that a moving day brings , consider utilizing hourly care or have one parent deal with the move and the other spend time with the child . You can have your child registered in CYS Services and eligible for hourly care before you arrive ! Contact your local Parent Central Services for details . Or go to MWR Online Services You will also be able to access youth sports , lessons , and activities through CYS Services . The sooner your child is involved in something they love the easier the transition will be .
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Respite
Care Military One Source STOMP Wright slaw
Special Care Organizational Record
Organizational Record
DoDEA-E Special Educator Resource Directory
7 . Diet : Often when we are busy with moving and in and out of hotels we don ’ t exactly have stellar diets . The increase in fats , salts , and sugars may impact your child ’ s behavior . Be cognizant of how your child reacts to food and make choices accordingly . Have a few items handy in a bag for those times that you aren ’ t presented with a good choice for a peckish child . If your child has specific dietary needs , allow ample time to find what you need in your new community .
8 . Patience : Allow yourself and your child a bit of slack . People don ’ t like change , and as a result of all the turmoil a move brings tempers may flare or standards may need to be relaxed a bit . It ’ s ok .
9 . Make connections : Contact your SLO or Army Community Service office to find out about any support groups for parents with similar challenges . Request a youth sponsor for your child through the online application on your post ’ s SLO site .
10 . Attitude ! Children often get their cues from adults . If you approach every PCS as an adventure you will provide your child with a feeling of safety . “ If mom and dad are cool with it maybe it ’ s not so horrible ” But if mom and dad are panicking and acting like the world is ending when things don ’ t go according to plan ….. Guess who else is more likely to feel that way ? Show some POSITITUDE ! It will make for an easier PCS and a happier child .
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