IntA41449

My speaker is an Exceptional Family Member coordinator at The Naval Hospital of Jacksonville. Her job responsibilities consist of identifying and assessing the needs of military children and families who are diagnosed with **medical, psychological and special education needs**. She received her BA in Art & Liberal Art and Science. A MA in Social Work. She has worked for the (DOD) Department of Defense and Department of Veteran Affairs with military children, families and civilian personnel.

My speaker is elaborating on **Chapter 9- Physical and Cognitive Development** 1. What are your professional responsiblities in dealing with children and families with disabilities? -Coordinate care services through contacts with families, community groups, clinics, schools, day care providers, hospitals and etc. 2. What program does the DOD have available for children with disabilities? -The Exceptional Family Member Program 3. What is this programs goal? -To identify family members with long-term needs for special medical and educational services. -to ensure that family members are located at duty stations where medical and special educational needs can be met. 4. How do military families enroll their special needs child for this program ((EFMP) -Contact your (MTF) to identify your member coordinator. -the enrollment form DD Form 2792 is available on the internet (military wedsite) 5.Why should families with special needs children enroll? -Its mandatory when special needs are identified. With the main purpose being to ensure that the duty station assignments match the needs of the family member. 6. What are some benefits of enrolling in EFMP? - Early enrollment allows flexible assignment process; promotes retention, enhances readiness, unneccessary family separation avoided, ensures special care is available; locates families where needs are supported. 8. What are some resources that can assist families with special needs? - The Navy Fleet and Family Support Center; Military HOMEFRONT; Military One Source; National Information Center for Children with Disabilities; Specialized Training Military Parents (STOMP); TRICARE, Center For Children with Autism 9. What are some diagnosises that qualify enrollment in the EFMP? -ADD/ADHD; Developmental Delay; Depression; Mental Retardation; Asthma; Affective Psychoses; Learning Language Delay; Hearing Impaired; Down Syndrome; Diabetes; Autistic Disorders; Sleep Disorders-Sleep Apnea; Seizures; Heart Condition; Obesity 10. Are some children with special needs Home Schooled? - Yes, some children are, Some children must have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP); Some parents would rather home school because some schools can not provide the attention and care that their child needs.

My interview with my chosen speaker was informative and interesting. When I considered the person for my interview, I knew that she was a social worker that dealt with military families. I did not know the depth of her job. Neither did I know her title. She carries the title, Exceptional Family Member Coordinator. I was a little surprised to find out that even though she deals with the entire family on certain issues, she primarily focuses on special needs. The information that the interviewer shared refeshed things that we had been going over in Human Growth and Development concerning children with special needs.

Due to public schools being legally obligated to provide educational services for all children who qualify, this warrants my speaker a position to make sure that military families are directed to the public schools that will accomodate their special child's needs. My speaker agreed with the text book of the table 9.3 on page 267 about disabilitiy categories and description of disability.