EFMP News/March 2014

EFMP News • March 2014 2140 Liggett Ave., Room 400 253-967-9704/9705 1

EFMP NewsYour free guide to EFMP services, entertainment and educational opportunities on Joint Base Lewis-McChord

FREE

Exceptional Family Member Program March 2014

Page 6

New EFMP Systems Navigator

Working Focus GroupPage 5

Pages 4-5

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Local Support GroupsPages 2 & 7


In this issue:

Armed Forces Community Service (AFCS)Director: Alecia R. Grady

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

Bldg. 2140, Waller Hall, Rm. 400JBLM-Lewis Main

usarmy.jblm.imcom.list.dfmwr-acs-exceptional-family-member@mail.mil

EFMP Program Manager: Mary Herrera253-967-9704

EFMP Staff Members:

March Events, pg. 2-3Developmental Disability Awareness Month, pg. 4-5Working Focus Group, pg. 5New Systems Navigator, pg. 6FOCUS Program, pg. 6Local Support Groups, pg. 2 & 7Birth-to-Three Services, pg. 7EFMP Enrollment Process, pg. 7Resources at your fingertips, pg. 8

Nancy Dozier: 253-967-9705Carol Watrous: 253-967-3451Cheryl Hoyson: 253-967-5795Rick Kivett: 253-967-9097Lynn Shick: 253-967-3464Anthony Buggage: 253-982-2695

The EFMP office has an open-door policy regarding assistance to our Families. Please feel free to contact us if you have any ques-tions about available services, concerns, or if you need resources or advocacy at Joint Base Lewis-McChord or in the civilian community.

welcome too! Join other families who have children with Down Syndrome. Contact [email protected].

EFMP Family Friendly Movie, “Khumba” Mar. 15, Noon-2:00 p.m. McChord Theater.FREE. Sensory controlled environment. Perfect for special needs and young viewers. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own snacks. For more information contact 253-982-2695.

friends of Western Washington Mar. 22, 10:00 a.m., Play Group for the Down Syndrome Community at Children’s Therapy Center, 8717 S Hosmer St, Tacoma. For information contact Shannon French at 253-224-0397, Susan Jackson at 253-565-2266, or on Facebook at: on.fb.me/11gEfJw.

Tools 4 Success Conference Mar. 25, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Tacoma Community College Campus. A Conference for Persons with Disabilities focusing on preparation for employment presented by community organizations. Go to tools4successconference.org for registration and further information.

PURPAS– Monthly Meeting Mar. 12, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Henry Foss High School, 2112 South Tyler Street, Tacoma, Rooms 213A & 215A. Bring your own beverage; snacks will be provided. For more information please contact Susan Jackson or Sybille White at 253-565-2266.

Special Families of Pierce County Mar. 13, 6:00-8:00 p.m. “The Perfect Storm: The True Cause of Neurodevelopmental Disorders”, Speaker: Dr. Nathan Wall, Chiropractor at Wall Family Chiropractic. Contact [email protected].

Pierce County Resource Fair Mar. 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Community Inclusion Program in partnership with Pierce County Coalition for Developmental Disabilities. Franklin Pierce High School, 11002 18th Ave E. Tacoma. Call Susan Jackson at 253-565-2266 or Tami McGrath at 253-564-0707 for more information.

Down Syndrome Support Group Mar. 14, 6:30 p.m. Black Angus, Lakewood, Moms Night Out, Dads

March


SKIES Registration Monday, Mar. 3-28 at Parent Central Services, Lewis Main & McChord Field to register for April SKIES classes. Last day to register for classes is the 4th Friday of every month. For a description of classes or to register your child, go to JBLMmwr.com & click on the yellow WebTrac button.

Events...EFMP News is an authorized unofficial community information source published for members of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord EFMP community. There is no U.S. government endorsement of any commercial sponsor. Editorial content is provided by Exceptional Family Member Program, Army Community Service, and Family & Morale Welfare and Recreation offices. Submissions are welcome but will be edited for accuracy, brevity, clarity and journalistic style. Submissions are due on the first day of the month, one month prior to publication date. EFMP News is published monthly. Circulation: 1000. Send submissions to: [email protected]

Policy:We encourage letters to the editor, but they must be signed. We will consider withhold-ing the name of the author upon request. Letters regarding an issue should contrib-ute to informational interest.

We reserve the right to edit all material for style, to fit available space, to resolve libel, force protection and grammar.

Although the information in the issue is current at time of publication, activities and events are subject to change. Please contact the activity for confirmation.

Join us on FACEBOOK! Connect with other EFMP News readers on Facebook and get regular updates on our program.

www.facebook.com/efmpjblm

Steilacoom STARS (Autism Resources & Support) Community Meeting Mar. 27, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Saltar’s Point Elementary School Library, 908 3rd Street, Steilacoom, WA 98388 For more information, contact: Dena Snow 253-983-2633 [email protected] or Colette Parrotte 253-983-2611 [email protected]

This is a FREE collaborative program with children’s museum of Tacoma for parents, grandparents, neighbors, family and friends who nurture children ages six and under. Thematic curriculum.

Wednesday Mornings, 10-11:30 a.m. at the Escape Zone, Bldg. 841, off Lincoln Blvd., McChord Field. Wednesday Afternoons – 1:30–3:00 p.m. at Raindrops and Rainbows, 8197 American Lake Drive, Lewis North.

Play to Learn at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Mar. 5, 12, 19, and 26

Special Olympics Track & Field & Aquatics regis-tration through Mar. 21


March is National Developmen-tal Disability Awareness Month.

Developmental disability is a broad field that includes intellectual dis-ability, autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, develop-mental delay, fetal alcohol syndrome (FASD) and other disabilities that occur during the developmental period from birth to age 18.

Intellectual disability is a below-average cognitive ability with three (3) characteristics:

Intelligent quotient (or I.Q.) is be-tween 70-75 or below

Significant limitations in the ability to adapt and carry on everyday life activities such as self-care, socializ-ing, communicating, etc.

The onset of the disability occurs before age 18.

The major differences are in the age of onset, the severity of limita-tions, and the fact that a person with a developmental disability may or may not have a low I.Q. While some people with intellectual disability will also meet the definition of de-velopmental disability, it is estimat-ed that at least half do not meet the requirements for the developmental disability definition.

Developmental isability

Awareness Month

March is National


Intelligence refers to general mental capability and involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly, and learn from experience.

Studies show that somewhere between one and three percent of Americans have intellectual dis-abilities. There are many causes of intellectual disabilities; factors in-clude physical, genetic and/or social challenges.

The most common syndromes as-sociated with intellectual disabilities are autism, Down syndrome, Fragile

Continued from page 4X and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Dis-order (FASD).

Diagnosis of an Intellectual Dis-ability

The purpose of establishing a diag-nosis of intellectual disability is to determine eligibility in order to re-ceive various services and supports, and to ensure rights are protected, including:• Special education services• Home and community-based waiver services• Social Security Administration benefits

• Specific treatment within the criminal justice system.

The American Association on Intel-lectual and Developmental Disabili-ties (AAIDD) states the following must be present:

1. Limitations in present function-ing must be considered within the context of community environments typical of the individual’s age, peers and culture.

2. Valid assessment looks at cultural and linguistic diversity as well as difference in communication, sen-sory, motor and behavioral factors.

EFMP News • March 2014 2140 Liggett Ave., Room 400 253-967-9704/9705 6 6

The JBLM AFCS family would like to welcome Mr.

Rick Kivett as the new EFMP Systems Navigator. Rick joins us from JBLM Outdoor Recreation, where he has spent the last ten years running the Adventure Program. He is an Army veteran, Purple Heart recipient, dedicated father and avid adventurer. He brings with him a great deal of energy, enthusiasm and love for the families of the Armed Forces. Mr. Kivett says, “My goal has always been to enrich the lives of others. Whether it’s guiding a raft down a wild and scenic river or navigating the vast network of assistance programs, it comes down to identifying the needs of each individual and providing the best service possible.”

Welcome our new Systems Navigator!

Resiliency Training for Military Families and ChildrenIndividual Family sessions that build upon Family strengths in order to weather the stress of deployment (pre, during, post) and other military transitions• Improves communications, reduces arguing• Improves child behaviors, strengthens parent coping• Approximately 8 sessions, tailored to the Family’s needs• Confidential sessions• Family Friendly Hours• Prevention, not therapy• Gateway to other services for risk reduction

FOCUS Contact Information: Kim Crosby, PhD, Site DirectorMain Phone: (253) 966-6360Office: Bldg. 2013B, Room 331 (Pendleton and 3rd Street)Email: [email protected]


EFMP Enrollment Process

Birth To Three Early Intervention Programs

Contact the Lead Agency for your county for a referral for services. Family Resource Coordination/Pierce County: 253-798-3790South Sound Parent To Parent/Thurston County: 360-352-1126Holly Ridge Center/Kitsap and Mason counties: 360-373-2536Community Health Access Program (CHAP)/King County: 206-284-0331

Support Groups for You & Yours

PURPASA family support group open to all (parents, children, and helping professionals) for individuals with Autism. Participants meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Henry Foss High School, 2112 South Tyler Street, Tacoma, Rooms 213A and 215A from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Bring your own beverage; snacks will be provided. For more information please contact PAVE at 253-565-2266. Susan Jackson: [email protected] or Sybille White: [email protected].

TACIDTacoma Area Coalition of Individu-als with Disabilities promotes the independence of individuals with disabilities. It is located at 6315 South 19th Street, Tacoma. Call 253-565-9000 for further information. The website is www.tacid.org and has a program link to an extensive schedule of workshops and support groups for peer support, employ-ment, recovery and wellness, hous-ing, independent living, and veter-ans’ services.

If your Family member has a health con-dition that necessitates a specialist or spe-cialty clinic, he or she MUST be enrolled in EFMP under medical, DD Form 2792. If your child has an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or 504 plan, he or she must be enrolled in EFMP under educa-tion, DD Form 2792-1. Enrollment forms for EFMP are renewed every three years or sooner, if there are significant changes.

Disenrollment is not automatic upon expiration; it is required for a change in marital status or a significant improvement that no longer warrants enrollment.

Army — Submit your completed enroll-ment forms to the EFMP office located in the Madigan Nursing Tower, on the first floor, left side, just past the chapel, room 1-28-17. For questions regarding enroll-ment or overseas screenings, please call 253-968-0254/1370/4355. This office is closed on Thursdays.

Air Force — Submit your completed enrollment forms to the EFMP/FMRC office on the first floor of the 62nd Medical Clinic. For a PCS screening or for ques-tions call SSGT Michelle Sutton at 253-982-3350. Lois Fisher is the Special Needs Coordinator and can be reached at 253-982-0369. For Air Force Respite Care, contact the Servicemember & Family Readiness Center at 253-982-2695.

EFMP Family Support Services Bldg. 2140, Waller Hall, Room 400, JBLM-Lewis Main; Bldg. 552, Servicemember & Family Readiness Center, JBLM-McChord Field.

Installation and local resources and ser-vices, housing and school issues, IEP/504 plans, respite care, systems navigation, advocacy, support groups, monthly newsletter, disability services and Special Needs Accommodation Process are avail-able for all Army and Air Force EFMP Families.

SPECIAL FAMILIES OF PIERCE COUNTYthe corner of 15th and Pacific Av-enue. Street parking is free after 6 p.m. Childcare is limited and pre-registration is required each month. To RSVP go to: www.exceptional-families.org/events.html. Contact Angela Fish at [email protected] for further information.

Special Families of Pierce County (SFPC) is a support group for families with special needs children in the South Sound region.Meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma, 1501 Pacific Avenue, on

Provides information and supports for those in our community impact-ed by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Meetings offer an opportunity for families, students and educators to connect, learn, and grow. STARS can provide opportunities and re-sources for families to network, stu-dents to share their experiences, ed-

STEILACOOM STARS, STUDENTS TRIUMPH WITH AUTISM RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS

ucators, and families to learn more about these exceptional students and how best to support them at school and in the community. Open to any-one in any school district. Contact: Dena Snow, 253.983.2633, [email protected] or Colette Parrotte, 253-983-2611, [email protected].


Resources

Individuals With DisabilitiesAcommonvoice.org (Counseling)

Addresources.org (ADD/ADHD)

Autismsocietyofwa.org (Autism)

Autismspeaks.org (Autism)

Biorxhemophilia.com (Bleeding disorders)

Exceptional-families.org (SN Support Group)

Featwa.org (Autism)

Gluten.net (Gluten Intolerance Group)

Hsdc.org (Hearing Speech and Deafness Center)

Piercecountywa.org/companionship (Pierce County Parks & Recreation)

Special-families.org (SN Parent Support Group)

Stompproject.org (Specialized Training for Military Parents)

Tbiwashington.org (Traumatic Brain Injury of Washington)

Thecpnetwork.org (Cerebral Palsy)

Family AssistanceAcommonvoice.org (A Common Voice)

Efoodnet.org (Pierce County Food Banks)

Militaryhomefront.dod.mil

MilitaryOneSource.mil

MyTricare.com (Tricare)

Operationhomefront.net/PacificNorthwest

Uhcmilitarywest.com (Tricare Western Region)

Usacares.org (Military Family Assistance Center)

Children’s ServicesNaccra.org (ChildCare Aware of America)

Nmfa.org (National Military FamilyFamily Association)

Psesd.org (Puget Sound Educational Service District)

Ssp2p.org (South Sound Parent2Parent)

FacebookFacebook.com/efmpjblm

Facebook.com/JBLMFamilyMWR

Facebook.com/JBLMcyssSER

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EFMP News/March 2014

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