EFMP News • March 2016 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 2016

Upcoming Events Pages 2-3

Summer Camp Registration

Pages 4-5

Cornell EFMP SurveyPage 10

EFMP News • March 2016 2140 Liggett Ave., Room 400 253-967-9704/9705 2

In this issue:

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

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

2140 Liggett Ave., 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:

Upcoming Events, pg. 2-3Summer Camp Registration, pg. 4-5Tricare Mental Health Policy, pg. 6Birth-to-Three Services, pg. 7Community Support Groups, pg. 7EFMP Enrollment Process, pg. 7Resources, pg. 8-9Cornell University Survey, pg. 10

Nancy Dozier: 253-967-3464Carol Watrous: 253-967-9705Cheryl Hoyson: 253-967-5795Megan O’Day: 253-967-9097Lynn Shick: 253-967-3451Anthony 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.

March Events...JBLM EFMP Family Friendly Movie Mar. 19, 12 - 2:00 p.m., “Open Season, Scared Silly” at McChord Theater. FREE. Sensory controlled environment. Perfect for special needs and young viewers. All children must be accompanied by an adult. No food or drink are allowed in the theater. For more information contact 253-982-2695. Easter Dash at Cowan Stadium: FREE. Egg hunt hosted by BOSS Sunday, Mar. 27; special needs with parents 12 p.m., 3 years & younger 1 p.m., ages 4-7 2 p.m., ages 8-12 3 p.m. All kids receive a goody bag no matter how many eggs they collect.

Pierce County Resource Fair Tue., Mar. 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Tacoma Community College, 6501 South 19th St. Bldg. 11 in Tacoma (over 40 participating organizations with special

needs information). Contact Susan Jackson (253-565-2266) from PAVE, or Tami McGrath (253-564-0707) PC2 LINKS Program Coordinator for more information. Play to Learn (Free) Collaborative playgroups for family and children under 6 on Wednesdays. Two locations: Escape Zone (McChord Field) 10-1130 a.m. and Raindrops & Rainbows (Lewis North) 1:30-3 p.m.

April SKIES Registration Visit Parent Central Services, Lewis Main and McChord Field to register for April SKIES classes. Registration for classes is the 1st through 4th Friday of the previous month. For a description of classes or to register your child, go to JBLMmwr.com and click on the yellow WebTrac button.

Special Olympics Swimming and Track & Field, Ages 8-18 Sign-ups are available during Mar. For information, contact Youth Sports 253-967-2405 or visit Bldg. 2295 S. 12th St. Lewis Main. Swimming starts in Mar. and is now partnering with Clover Park Special Olympics.

EFMP News • March 2016 2140 Liggett Ave., Room 400 253-967-9704/9705 3

Hands-On Children’s Museum Located in Olympia, has free admittance Friday, Mar. 4 and other activities throughout the month. Call 360-956-0818 or access www.hocm.org for details.

Penn State Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) TeleConsult Program A consulting team of mental health and educational professionals and researchers provides free information to anyone who has questions about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), behavior intervention, and how to advocate for a child who is

EFMP News is an authorized unofficial community information source published for members of the Joint Base Lewis-Mc-Chord EFMP community. There is no U.S. government endorsement of any commer-cial sponsor. Editorial content is provided by Exceptional Family Member Program, Armed Forces 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: Mary.K.Herrera.civ@mail.mil

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

March Events...on the autism spectrum. Visit teleconsult.militaryfamilies.psu.edu to learn more about this program.

Metro Parks of Tacoma, Specialized Recreation offers social groups, arts and crafts, bowling, dancing, interactive games, Special Olympics sports, week-end adventures, and much more. Call 253-404-3950 or visit www.metroparkstacoma.org/ for more information.

MAMC EFMP Office Closed Feb. 29 through Mar. 4 The MAMC EFMP office will be closed Monday, Feb. 29 through Friday, Mar. 4, 2016 for the installation of new office furniture. As a safety precaution, the office will be closed to all patient/client traffic throughout the installation period. Minimal manning will be available to answer phones with limited access to EFMP summaries and other EFMP operations. The office will return to normal business hours on Monday, March 7, 2016. The contact phone number to call during the office closure period is 253-968-1370. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Nurturing bonding experience with parentsMotivating & interactive class

sensory-friendly parent-&-me music

Mondays 10–10:30 a.m.Hillside SKIESUnlimited

6398 Garcia Blvd, Lewis Main ages 6 months to 6 years

This class is led by a music therapist with extensive experiences working

with children with special needs and is designed for young children with

special needs and their parents. However, children with all abilities are welcome. Register at JBLMcyssRegistration.com.

For details, call SKIESUnlimited at 253-966-3539.

Class days and times are subject to change.

Through active music-making, children will learn and enhance developmental

skills including:• Practicing turn taking.

• Increasing social interactions. • Developing attention skills.

• Improving gross/fine motor skills.

JBLMmwr.comfb.com/JBLMcyss

@JBLMskies

EFMP News • March 2016 2140 Liggett Ave., Room 400 253-967-9704/9705 4

Summer Camp Registration

EFMP News • March 2016 2140 Liggett Ave., Room 400 253-967-9704/9705 5

Summer Camp RegistrationSince summer camps fill up early, now is the time to start inquiring with agencies and registering for programs you are interested in.

Summer Camp Opportunities:

JBLM Child Youth & School Services, http://jblmmwr.com/cyss_parent_central.htmlWeekly summer camps are available for those who have graduated kindergarten on up. Fees are subsidized based on household income with further discounts for multiple children. Call 253-966-2977 to be placed on the wait list. Then go to https://webtrac.mwr.army.mil/webtrac103/wbwsc/lewiscyms.wsc/wbsplash.html?wbp=1# and click tab right “forms”. A Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP) may be required. Registration must be complete prior to enrollment.

Summer Camps and Programs for Children with Special Health Care Needs Washington State Edition, www.cshcn.org/resources-contacts/summer-camp-directoryThis is a searchable website that becomes available during the first week of March and may include additional camps that were submitted after the deadline for the printed directory.

EFMP News • March 2016 2140 Liggett Ave., Room 400 253-967-9704/9705 6

Until Apr. 1, the Pentagon is accepting comments from military families and helping professionals regarding Tricare Mental Health policy through

Autism 200 SeriesA series of 90 minute classes for parents and caregivers of children with autism is offered through Seattle Children’s. They are held the third Thursday of each month at Seattle Children’s Hospital from 7-8:30 p.m. in Wright Auditorium. They are also available through

the Seattle Children’s video and teleconferencing outreach program for viewing at various locations throughout the region. Classes that have already occurred can be viewed on the following website: http://www.seattlechildrens.org/classes-community/classes-events/

autism-200-series/The class for Feb. 18 is “Addressing Challenging Behavior Part 1 of 2: Use of Applied Behavior Analysis to Assess and Treat Disruptive Behavior” with Eric Boelter PhD, BCBA-D as the instructor.

the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOD-2015-HA-0109-0001We encourage you to review the proposed policy and provide

comments to include, from your experiences, what has worked/not worked along with your recommendations for improvements.

Tricare Mental Health Policy Through the Federal eRulemaking Portal

• Excelling in associative thinking: brainstorming; thinking outside the box; using one’s imagination

• Being intuitive to others’ emotions and perceptions; being socially adaptive

• Once engaged/interested, can spend hours being hyper-focused and immersed in projects/activities

• Broad focus in seeing patterns, discrepancies, contradictions, mismatches

Brain Research: The Surprising Benefits of ADHD

• Having the ability to take in information quickly; multi-tasking; adapting (generally key helpers in emergencies)

• Possessing endurance and stamina

The Gut-Brain ConnectionThe gut-brain axis is described as biochemical signaling that takes place between the gastrointestinal tract and the nervous system. The gut-brain axis is an emerging concept that could be helpful

for developing new therapeutic strategies for complex central nervous system disorders by modifying the microbiome, “aka” gut flora. Science-based homeopathic strategies through diet could help regulate anxiety, mood, stress, cognition, etc.For more information: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/21303428/http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mental-health-may-depend-on-creatures-in-the-gut/

EFMP News • March 2016 2140 Liggett Ave., Room 400 253-967-9704/9705 7

EFMP Enrollment Process

Birth To Three Early Intervention Programs

Contact the Lead Agency for your county for a referral for services. Community Connections Early Intervention Service/Pierce Co.: 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

If your Family member has a health condi-tion 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 expi-ration; 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 SNC office 62nd Medical Clinic, first floor of Airman’s Clinic Bioenvironmental hallway, second/third office on left. For a PCS screening or for questions call TSGT Michelle Sutton at 253-982-3350. Lois Fisher is the Special Needs Coordinator at 253-982-5568. Open Monday, Tuesday, Friday 0800-1530; Wednesday 0800-1100. Closed 2nd Tues-day 1200 – 1530; Closed on Thursday. For Air Force Respite Care, contact AFCS-McChord at 253-982-2695.

EFMP Family Support Services 2140 Liggett Ave., Waller Hall, Room 400, JBLM-Lewis Main; 552 Barnes Blvd., AFCS-McChord, JBLM-McChord Field.

Installation & local resources & services, Housing & school issues, IEP/504 plans, Advocacy, Support groups, Monthly newsletter, Special Needs Accommoda-tion Process and Systems Navigation (case management) are available for all service members and their families.

Exceptional Families Network has two support groups and various events and clubs in Olympia and Pierce County. For information or to RSVP contact www.exceptionalfamilies.org/events.html. Text EFN to 22828 to join mailing list. Events include:SFPS Tacoma for families with special needs, 2nd Thur., 6-8 p.m., Children’s Museum of Tacoma, 1501 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. SFPS Olympia for families with special needs, 1st Tue., 6-8 p.m., Olympia Timberland Library.Coffee & Chat, 2nd Mon., 10 a.m.Family Movie and Game Night, 3rd Fri., 6:30 p.m. Games for everyone, kid-friendly movie, and popcorn by donation.Curiosity Club with Stacy, 2nd Sat., 1 p.m. Kids (ages 2-8) will make a creation and receive a book of the month. Park Play Date, 3rd Sat., 10 a.m. Weather permitting, let’s get outside and have some fun! RSVP required.Getting Loopy Yarn Club, 3rd Sun., 2 p.m. Learn how to knit/crochet or to improve. Supplies available; all ages welcome.B.B.C. Sci-Fi Appreciation Club, 3rd Sun., 3 p.m. Bow-ties, Browncoats & Changelings! Discuss Doctor Who & all things geektastic.

Parent Advisory Council, 4th Tue., 6:30 p.m. Lend your voice, ideas & input about our nonprofit’s services, events & more. Words & Whine Book Club, Last Fri., 7 p.m. Discuss our current book selection and chat with other parents. PAVE (Partnerships for Action. Voices for Empowerment.), PAVE has various support groups meet-ings and activities throughout the month (see below). Contact Susan Jackson at 253-565-2266 or sjack-son@wapave.org for information. www.wapave.org. CIP, Community Inclusion Program of Pierce County, Three monthly meetings in various Pierce County locations.Down Syndrome Moms Night Out Support Group, 2nd Fri. of the month, 6:30 p.m.Pierce County Parent to Parent Spanish Speaking Support Group, 1st Tue. of the month, 6-8 p.m.PURPAS, Support group for young adults with high functioning autism and their families. Meetings several times a month. SOS, Siblings Outside the Spectrum, Support group for teens who have a brother or sister with Autism, meets monthly.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUPS

EFMP News • March 2016 2140 Liggett Ave., Room 400 253-967-9704/9705 8

Individuals with Disabilities

Informing Families www.informingfamilies.org Put together by a collaboration from Washington State Developmental Dis-abilities Council, Developmental Dis-abilities Administration and others. Includes special needs news, topics about special needs for all ages plus a language selection feature for non-English speakers.

A Common Voice http://acommonvoice.org Parent education classes, support groups, counseling, 24-hour hotline for families with child/youth with behav-ioral and mental health care needs

ADD Resources http://addresources.org ADHD support groups, directory of ADHD-friendly services & resources

The Arc Autism Now/Autism Society of Washington (ASW) http://autismnow.org/local/autism-soci-ety-of-washington/ Offers news, information and resources regarding autism spectrum. Lists events, support groups and trainings

Autism Speaks https://www.autimspeaks.org Funds autism research for causes and prevention, advocates for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families

FEAT of Washington www.featwa.org/ Provides support & resources for fami-lies with someone on the autism spec-trum; includes ABA therapy through Rising Star Academy, financial support through Ben’s Fund, social/recreational programming through Experience Learning Project and guidance and support through Family Services

BioRx www.biorxhemophilia.com/company/ Provides supplies and customer service for individuals with bleeding disorders, provides advocacy and education, spe-cialized nursing

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Exceptional Families Network www.exceptionalfamilies.org Works with, supports and educates families with children who have special needs; a majority of the children have some form of autism, but all diagnoses/disabilities are welcome

Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center (HSDC) http://hsdc.org/ Western Washington service hub for clients who are deaf, hard of hear-ing or have communication disorders; services include preschool, American Sign Language (ASL) classes, audiol-ogy services, speech therapy, advocacy, ASL interpreting & an assistive tech-nology store

The Gluten Intolerance Group of North America www.gluten.org Includes gluten-free (GF) support groups, finding GF products/restau-rants/recipes, monthly newsletter

The Cerebral Palsy Network http://thecpnetwork.org/ Cerebral palsy (CP) support network, offers advocacy, mentoring and educa-tion about CP

Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) www.dsb.wa.gov Job counseling and adaptive skills for individuals who are blind or have low vision, services for children and youth aged birth through high school who are blind or have low vision

Washington State Resources for Parents of Children and Youth with Disabilities www.washington.edu/doit/washington-state-resources-parents-children-and-youth-disabilities listing of organizations and resources that are supportive of children and youth with special needs

EFMP News • March 2016 2140 Liggett Ave., Room 400 253-967-9704/9705 9

Resources

Wrights Law www.wrightslaw.com Up-to-date information on educa-tion and special education law and advocacy for children with disabili-ties, excellent resource for parents

Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment (PAVE) http://wapave.org/ Support, training, information and advocacy for individuals with dis-abilities, parents & professionals

Washington State Traumatic Brain Injury Council http://tbiwashington.org/ Offers information and resources related to traumatic brain injury

South Sound Parent to Parent http://ssp2p.org/ Birth to Three early intervention service coordination in Thurston, South Mason & Grays Harbor coun-ties, matches parents with volunteer mentors, offers equipment & toy loan program, recreational events, sup-port groups, information & referral

Pierce County Coalition for Devel-opmental Disabilities (PC2) http://pc2online.org/ Parent-driven organization that provides information for families and individuals with developmental disabilities in Pierce County, WA

Pierce County Companionship Program http://piercecountywa.org/compan-ionship Through Pierce County Parks and Recreation, a recreation program for individuals with special needs and their families

Tacoma Area Coalition of Individ-uals with Disabilities (TACID) www.tacid.org Promotes independence of individu-als with disabilities through peer support, advocacy and self-sufficien-cy programs; site posts events and support groups

National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCVDDD) www.cdc.gov/ncbddd Provides information on research, prevention & treatment of birth de-fects and developmental disabilities

Other

Child Care Aware of America, ARMY Child Care in Your Neigh-borhood http://usa.childcareaware.org www.ChildCareNet.org/families/your-search NACCRRA accredited child care that is affordable

Puget Sound Educational Service District www.psesd.org One of nine regional educational agencies serving school districts and state-approved private schools in Washington; offers centralized services, pooled resources, links schools with regional, state and na-tional educational resources, builds networks and partnerships among districts and other agencies

Military OneSource www.militaryonesource.mil Answers for military life ques-tions including deployment, spouse employment, counseling, financial, retirement and more

TRICARE West Region/United Healthcare www.uhcmilitarywest.com Verify eligibility, find claims status and information, check referral and authorization status, find forms, on-line enrollment available

Madigan Army Medical Center, www.mamc.amedd.army.mil Clinic information, appointments, emergency & urgent care, routine/wellness/specialty care, patient advocacy

EFMP News • March 2016 2140 Liggett Ave., Room 400 253-967-9704/9705 10

Resources

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Facebook.com/EFMPJBLM Facebook.com/JBLMAFCS

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AFCS – Exceptional Family Member Program2140 Liggett Ave, Waller Hall, Rm 400

Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98433-9500253-967-9704

This EFMP customer survey has been approved by the Department of Defense DD-P&R(AR)2534

We’d appreciate your feedback!about your recent experience with the EFMP

To take a brief survey, scan this QR code or visit:

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EFMP SPOTLIGHT

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