EFMP provides resources to Families with special needs By AMANDA ROMINIECKI APG News Keeping up with schoolwork and grades can be a daunting task for any student. For Families with a special needs child, ensuring he or she has access to a proper education and all available resources can be even more daunting. The APG Exceptional Family Member Program provides services to both military and civilian special needs Families within the APG community who seek assistance with their child’s education plan. According to Nancy Goucher, EFMP program manager, information about community resources, Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP) assistance for children in Child, Youth, and School Services (CYSS), housing advocacy and special education consultations are available to any special needs Family at APG. Included in these resources is information about ensuring a student with disabilities has the proper education program to put them on a path toward achievement. “Grades are important and it can be very upsetting when a student with disabilities brings home low grades consistently, especially when they put forth their best effort,” Goucher said. “The impact low grades may have on a student’s self-esteem and motivation can be detrimental.” Individual Education Programs (IEP) are official documents that describe the education plan designed to meet the unique needs of one child with a disability while providing Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Mandated by The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004), IEPs must be developed in conjunction with, agreed upon and upheld by the student’s school, Goucher said. “These IEPs are adapted to meet a student’s individual needs to really make sure the student’s academic performance is progressing, and that this progress is properly recognized,” Goucher said. If a student isn’t meeting their IEP, it needs to be revisited to determine whether revisions are necessary to help the student succeed, Goucher said. APG’s EFMP program has a variety of resources available for APG Families related to IEPs and special education programs, as well as consultation services. “In addition to the consultation services we provide, EFMP has a resource library of books and countless websites that we can help Families navigate to find answers to any questions they might have about their child’s education,” Goucher said. EFMP resource library “Special Education Law” by Pam & Pete Wright “From Emotions to Advocacy, the Special Education Survival Guide” by Pam and Pete Wright “Autism: Asserting Your Child’s Right to a Special Educational Education” by David A. Sherman, Special Education Attorney “ADHD: 102 Practical Strategies for ‘Reducing the Deficit’” by Kim Frank and Susan Smith-Rex Recommended websites Grading Students with Educational Disabilities bridges4kids.org/articles/2003/5-03/Eggert9-01.html U.S. Department of Education’s IEP Guide www2.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/iepguide/index.html#after ED.GOV: Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004 idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/%2Croot%2Cregs%2C300%2CD%2C300%252E320%2C 10 Tips: How to Use IDEA 2004 to Improve Your Child’s Special Education wrightslaw/idea/art/10.tips.steedman.htm Maryland Department of Special Education: Publications and Information See: Maryland Accommodations Manual marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/earlyinterv/Special_Ed_Info.html The Blame Game: Are School Problems the Kid’s Fault? wrightslaw/advoc/articles/ALESSI1.html With a mission to assist military personnel and DOD civilians with Family members who have physical, emotional, developmental or intellectual needs who require special treatment, therapy, education, training and equipment or building modifications, the APG EFMP office is available to any individual who seeks assistance. The EFMP office is located on APG North (Aberdeen), Bldg. 2503. Services and resources are available to all active duty Families, retirees and DOD civilians. For more information, contact Nancy Goucher at 410-278-2420 or [email protected].
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 20:12:11 +0000