Inside this issue - MCCS Okinawa · 2014. 5. 1. · Air Base. Autism Awareness 5k (Autism Awareness...
Transcript of Inside this issue - MCCS Okinawa · 2014. 5. 1. · Air Base. Autism Awareness 5k (Autism Awareness...
PCS Success 2
Calendar of Events 3
Inside this issue:
Relocating to a new community can be a fun and ad-
venturous time for you and your family. There are new
places to explore and new friends to be made. With the
military, you may be moving every few years. This can be
at times challenging on your special needs family member.
Whether they are experiencing their first or their fifth
move. Please remember that even though you have a lot of
other things on your mind during this period, a little time
for you during this process can make a difference in how
well you and your family member cope with the move and
adjust to your new home. This is also the right time to start sharing with your family ex-
pectations and timelines, in order to minimize moving anxiety and to open the lines of
communication associated with the upcoming move.
Whether it's your first PCS or you're a veteran at it, the Exceptional Family
Member Program is here to help. Our office can provide you with transitional knowledge,
tools and tips on PCS’ing with special needs. Our staff can provide the most current and
up to date information on resources inside Navy and Marine Corps installations, and can
help make your move to or from Okinawa as ‘Smooth' as
possible. For those who are just arriving in Okinawa, wel-
come to a whole new way of life. I hope you will embrace
the island and all that it has to offer. Don't be afraid to
ask for support or directions. Explore, connect, and enjoy.
For those about to leave the island, savor your final days
and begin to prepare yourself for a return to your home
country with a new set of eyes.
(continued on page 2)
Page 2 Exceptional News You Can Use!
For those who are staying on the is-
land during this PCS season, reflect
back on your own experience and reach
out with a helping hand. Watch out
for those new drivers (you know the
ones who stray to the right and turn
on their windshield wipers when they
meant to flip the turn signal). Take a
walk in your neighborhood and you
might find some new goodies on the
curb. And most importantly inhale that
island air and enjoy the small things
that make Okinawa so special.
For tools and tips on PCS’ing
with your exceptional family mem-
ber, EFMP is offering a workshop
called; EFMP PCS Success. Join us
as we provide tips on how to suc-
cessfully transition with your Ex-
ceptional Family Member. Join us
on May 8 from 1130am-100pm at
the Camp Foster Education Center
as our panel of subject matter
experts will be discussing the following topics:
Organizational tips for preparing your special needs travel binder.
Creative travel ideas for traveling with children with special needs
Information on finding and tapping in to local community resources such as TRI-
CARE ECHO services and EFMP transitional supports.
Answers to your educational related questions such as transferring students on
IEP’s and 504’s out of DoDDS schools.
To register please give us a call at 645-9237 or e-mail
May 2014 Page 3
In the month of May, The Marine Corps Exceptional Family Member Pro-
gram (EFMP) is hosting a series of events throughout the month. Join the EFMP
office for the following events:
EFMP Empower Hour: PCS Success. May 8th from 1130am-100pm at the Camp
Foster Education Center Room #13.
Proactive Advocates Sharing and Supporting P.A.S.S. Monthly support group
May 29th from 5pm-6pm at Bob Hope Elementary School Cafeteria, Kadena
Air Base.
Autism Awareness 5k (Autism Awareness Color Me Fun Run/Walk). May 31st
show time at 730am run time starts at 805am at The Gunner’s Gym, Camp
Foster.
For more information or to register for any of our events please give us a call
at 645-9237 or e-mail [email protected].
Friendly Reminders
PCS Transition Checklist: If you are getting ready to PCS soon, please get with your EFMP Case-
worker to complete a PCS Transition Checklist. Your transition checklist will help the gaining installa-
tion assess and address issues that might come up during your transition. Also, once you arrive at
your new duty station, please remember to check in with your new Case Worker .
EFMP Enrollment : you must update your enrollment paperwork every three years. However, if you
have any changes in your medical or educational status, please take a moment to contact your
EFMP Caseworker to update your paperwork. This includes an update to an existing Individual Edu-
cation Program (IEP), Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or a 504 Plan. Please continue to help us
keep your EFMP case current.
Appointments: If you are planning to visit our Camp Courtney and Camp Kinser offices, please call
ahead or make an appointment so we can better serve you.
EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MEMBER PROGRAM
Our Locations:
Main Office Camp Kinser Office
Bldg 495 on Camp Foster Bldg 1316 CELL: 098-970-9237 Cell: 098-959-3516
DSN: 645-9237 DSN: 637-3516
Camp Courtney Office
Marine and Family Programs Resource Center Building 4425
CELL: 098-954-9794
EFMP Lending Library & Resources
Playing by the Rules shows how siblings of
children with autism bridge the gap of under-
standing between their brothers or sisters
and other people.
With colorful, cartoon-like illustrations,
Playing by the Rules is a funny, realistic
story of having to tolerate interruptions and
less attention because of a sibling's special
needs. But as with all siblings, Josh and Jody's relation-
ship is also positive and loving--most of the time
Did you know EFMP has a Lending Library
with great resource books available for
you to check out?
We currently have books on
ADHD, Allergies, Autism, Diabetes, Par-
enting issues, Special ED and IEPs, vari-
ous mental health issues and so much
more! We will be highlighting a new book
in this section with each edition of the
newsletter. Additionally, if you have topics you would
like to see included in our Lending Library, please let
us know.
Call us at 645-9237 or email us at: