Presented by: Work-Life Family Resource Specialist

…provide information about and promote awareness of the Special Needs Program.

CG families with special needs require careful consideration in the assignment process. Identification and enrollment in the program are important to reducing family stress and undue hardship. CG members and their families need to understand the Special Needs Program and comply with mandatory enrollment requirements.

 Discuss the purpose and goal of the Coast Guard Special Needs Program.  Describe the Special Needs Program enrollment process (including forms).  Describe the eligibility criteria for enrollment and types of special needs cases.  Discuss the roles of the Family Resource Specialist, Service Member, and the Ombudsman.  Describe the Special Needs Program Assignment Coordination Process.

 The Coast Guard Special Needs Program was implemented in 1984 to assist Coast Guard families with special needs and to address the complexities affecting their needs during the assignment process.

 The objective of the program is to identify and support the special needs of a family while allowing the Active Duty member to maintain the maximum assignment flexibility possible.

 Enrollment in the Coast Guard Special Needs Program is mandatory for all active duty service members who have dependent family members diagnosed with medical, psychological, physical, or educational special needs.  Ultimate responsibility for enrollment in the Special Needs Program rests with the AD member (including updates).

Family Member Identified Service Member Obtains Enrollment Form online or from FRS Service Member Completes Enrollment Form If Eligible, FRS Flags Member in Automated Database FRS Informs Member Have Medical or School Official Complete Form Service Member Provides Enrollment Form to FRS FRS Coordinates with Senior Medical Executive who Determines Eligibility for a Medical Case (or) FRS Determines Eligibility for an Educational Case Based on Presence of an IEP or IFSP SNP Enrollment Process

 The following forms are completed as part of the enrollment process.  Family Member Medical Summary, DD Form 2792 (for medical, psychological, and physical conditions)  Special Education/Early Intervention Summary, DD Form (for educational special needs)  The Family Resource Specialist is the primary point of contact for forms and assistance with questions related to the forms for AD members and family members.

Because of the sensitive nature of the Special Needs Program, all information related to the family members’ medical conditions shall be kept strictly confidential with access only by authorized personnel who have the need-to-know.

 Medical Special Needs  Diagnosed medical conditions that would limit worldwide assignments  Psychological Special Needs  Current and chronic mental health conditions, inpatient or intensive outpatient mental health services needed  Physical Special Needs  Requires adaptive equipment, environmental considerations (housing), assistive technology  Educational Special Needs  Requires an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

 Services no longer needed – validated  Remission of medical or mental conditions  Child or parent is no longer a dependent or does not reside with service member  Divorce, loss of custody, or death of the family member  30 percent rule for child custody  Retirement, discharge, or transfer to reserve status

Coordinates Enrollment, Updates, DisenrollmentLinks Members to Special Needs Program ServicesCoordinates with Assignment Officers Coordinates Transition Services with Receiving FRS

Timely Enrollment Enrollment Updates Keep FRS Informed Service Member Required by instruction Every three years Changes in condition New unit date Separation date

Inform of SNP Mandatory Enrollment Requirement Provide SNP Point of Contact Information Ombudsman Responsibilities

FRS Enrolls Member FRS Sets Flag in Direct Access AO Contacts FRS – Current Duty Station Current FRS Contacts Proposed FRS FRS Responds to AO

 Purpose was to provide information about and promote awareness of the Special Needs Program.  Topics included:  Discuss the purpose and goal of the Coast Guard Special Needs Program.  Describe the Special Needs Program enrollment process (including forms).  Describe the eligibility criteria for enrollment and types of special needs cases.  Discuss the roles of the Family Resource Specialist, Service Member, and the Ombudsman.  Describe the Special Needs Program Assignment Coordination Process.

What about…….?? Useful Websites/Mobile App: Office of Work-Life: Work-Life Regional Practices  USCG HSWL Mobile App