Did you know that 1 in 10 military children have special educational or healthcare needs? Many of these children may need an Individualized Education Program, commonly referred to as an IEP, or if younger, and in birth to three programs, and Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)? Others may need a 504 or Accommodation Plan.
The Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP) is an organization dedicated solely to address the needs of military families who have family members with special medical or educational needs. STOMP will be in your area for a two day workshop in the areas of Parent Rights and Responsibilities with regard to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), IEPs, 504, TRICARE and ECHO, DODEA System both CONUS and OCONUS and more. Special emphasis is placed on collaboration and communication between families and the professionals who support them. “We have a special understanding of the challenges families face when they have a family member with disabilities or special needs and they have to PCS from place to place or face deployments,” stated Heather Hebdon, the Director for STOMP. She went on to comment “Our staff members have family members with disabilities and we have all dealt with the challenges and joys that come with military life.”
STOMP is a parent directed program that exists to empower military parents, individuals with disabilities and service providers with knowledge, skills and resources so that they might access services to create a collaborative environment for family and professional partnerships without regard to geographic location. Established in 1985, STOMP has been recognized as the premier resource for families within the military who have children, youth, and adult family members who have disabilities and other special education/medical issues. For more information about STOMP or to talk with one of their staff members call 1-800-5-PARENT or visit their website at www.stompproject.org
STOMP will be in Tucson, AZ March 14-15 for a two day workshop. The workshop will take place at the D-M Mirage Club from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. If you are a member of a military family with a child with special needs, an educator of children with special needs, or a professional that works with families and children with special needs then this training is for you.
To register for this workshop or for more information, please contact Tiffany Hornbeek at (520) 228-5690 or by email at tiffany.hornbeek@dm.af.mil
