An Army Community Service Center, Fleet and Family Support Center, Air Force Family Center, or Marine and Family Support Center is found on almost all military installations in the United States and overseas where family travel is authorized. Family centers have well-established programs to provide at a minimum:

• Information and Referral services
• Relocation Assistance
• Deployment/Mobilization Support
• Personal Financial Management Services
• Family Member Employment Assistance
• Family Life Education
• Crisis Response 

Army and Marine Corps Family Centers also include Exceptional Family Member Programs to provide specialized information and support services to special needs families, but all family centers are capable of linking families with sources of special needs information and services in the military and civilian communities. Contact information for a DoD Family Center may be found on MilitaryHOMEFRONT's MilitaryINSTALLATIONS directory.

An Army Community Service Center, Fleet and Family Support Center, Air Force Family Center, or Marine and Family Support Center is found on almost all military installations in the United States and overseas where family travel is authorized. Family centers have well-established programs to provide at a minimum:

• Information and Referral services
• Relocation Assistance
• Deployment/Mobilization Support
• Personal Financial Management Services
• Family Member Employment Assistance
• Family Life Education
• Crisis Response 

Army and Marine Corps Family Centers also include Exceptional Family Member Programs to provide specialized information and support services to special needs families, but all family centers are capable of linking families with sources of special needs information and services in the military and civilian communities. Contact information for a DoD Family Center may be found on MilitaryHOMEFRONT's MilitaryINSTALLATIONS directory.

Military OneSource provides information and resources to help military families balance work and family life. Consultants are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by phone, online or via email, offering personalized support to any service or family member. Through Military OneSource, service members and their families can receive information, referral, and assistance with a range of support needs to include:

• Relocation
• Financial Matters
• Legal Issues
• Education
• Consumer Issues
• Emotional Well-Being
• Addiction and Recovery
• Health and Wellness
• Family Support

Military OneSource provides information and resources to help military families balance work and family life. Consultants are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by phone, online or via email, offering personalized support to any service or family member. Through Military OneSource, service members and their families can receive information, referral, and assistance with a range of support needs to include:

• Relocation
• Financial Matters
• Legal Issues
• Education
• Consumer Issues
• Emotional Well-Being
• Addiction and Recovery
• Health and Wellness
• Family Support

Specifically related to special needs, Military OneSource has an extensive library of information materials on subjects relevant to military family life, including the area of special needs. It offers translation services and will help a client with research needed to solve a problem. Special needs families should be encouraged to explore the services Military OneSource can offer them by calling 1-800-655-4545 or visiting Military OneSource's website. The website provides instructions for calls from overseas locations.

Specifically related to special needs, Military OneSource has an extensive library of information materials on subjects relevant to military family life, including the area of special needs. It offers translation services and will help a client with research needed to solve a problem. Special needs families should be encouraged to explore the services Military OneSource can offer them by calling 1-800-655-4545 or visiting Military OneSource's website. The website provides instructions for calls from overseas locations.

When advocating for their children, the following organizations can provide military families assistance through professional expertise or the authority to advocate on the family's behalf.

• Installation Special Needs Coordinator/Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Manager – For military families located near an installation, there will be a special needs point of contact whose primary duties include one-on-one assistance and advocacy on behalf of special needs families. The Army and Marine Corps have EFMP Managers located in their family centers. The Navy and Air Force have EFMP/Special Needs Coordinators in their medical treatment facilities. 
• School Liaison (SL) – Many installations now have a school liaison whose role is to work with local schools in support of students from military families. They can be particularly helpful in advocating for parents of students transitioning from one school to another. The SL should be knowledgeable about special education legal requirements and prepared to intervene on parents' behalf when they believe their child's special education needs are not being met.

When advocating for their children, the following organizations can provide military families assistance through professional expertise or the authority to advocate on the family's behalf.

• Installation Special Needs Coordinator/Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Manager – For military families located near an installation, there will be a special needs point of contact whose primary duties include one-on-one assistance and advocacy on behalf of special needs families. The Army and Marine Corps have EFMP Managers located in their family centers. The Navy and Air Force have EFMP/Special Needs Coordinators in their medical treatment facilities. 
• School Liaison (SL) – Many installations now have a school liaison whose role is to work with local schools in support of students from military families. They can be particularly helpful in advocating for parents of students transitioning from one school to another. The SL should be knowledgeable about special education legal requirements and prepared to intervene on parents' behalf when they believe their child's special education needs are not being met.

Most special needs parents develop a sense of confidence, resiliency and determination as a consequence of the demands of parenting a disabled child. Yet nearly every one of them, at certain times, will need help in developing the skills necessary to cope with parenting a special needs child and in managing the emotions that emerge. Support services available to parents who are in need of support are provided through counseling or through peer support programs.

Most special needs parents develop a sense of confidence, resiliency and determination as a consequence of the demands of parenting a disabled child. Yet nearly every one of them, at certain times, will need help in developing the skills necessary to cope with parenting a special needs child and in managing the emotions that emerge. Support services available to parents who are in need of support are provided through counseling or through peer support programs.

Counseling is a way for people who are facing situations or emotions that they feel they can't handle or control to find help from a trained professional. A counselor will listen to the problem and ask probing questions to get at a deeper level of what is going on and then either explore with the client ways to change his or her thinking about an issue or teach skills that can be used to better manage feelings or situations. Parents of Exceptional Family Members (EFMs) should be referred for counseling if they seem to be having difficulty accepting the child and coping with his/her needs or if they are feeling overwhelming emotions. Military parents have several options for cost-free counseling:

• Military OneSource –Military OneSource offers twelve free in-person counseling sessions per person, per issue. For those unable to attend face-to-face counseling, Military OneSource arranges telephone and online consultations. Military ID card holders can be referred to a counselor in their area who is part of Military OneSource's extensive network of licensed and credentialed professionals. A call to the toll-free number, 1-800-655-4545, is the first step in being connected with a counseling professional.
• Chaplains/Ministers – When parents of Exceptional Family Members (EFMs) seem to be having difficulty coping, installation service providers can ask them if they would feel more comfortable speaking with a chaplain before making a referral for counseling. Military chaplains and ministers in the civilian community often have professional counseling expertise as well as their ability to provide spiritual guidance and support.
• Family Centers – Some military family centers offer short-term, solution-focused counseling within their programs. At the very least, family centers will provide consultation, assessment and referral for counseling, plus help arrange respite care, if necessary, during counseling sessions. Installation service providers can use MilitaryHOMEFRONT's MilitaryINSTALLATIONS directory to locate the nearest Family Center.

Counseling is a way for people who are facing situations or emotions that they feel they can't handle or control to find help from a trained professional. A counselor will listen to the problem and ask probing questions to get at a deeper level of what is going on and then either explore with the client ways to change his or her thinking about an issue or teach skills that can be used to better manage feelings or situations. Parents of Exceptional Family Members (EFMs) should be referred for counseling if they seem to be having difficulty accepting the child and coping with his/her needs or if they are feeling overwhelming emotions. Military parents have several options for cost-free counseling:

• Military OneSource –Military OneSource offers twelve free in-person counseling sessions per person, per issue. For those unable to attend face-to-face counseling, Military OneSource arranges telephone and online consultations. Military ID card holders can be referred to a counselor in their area who is part of Military OneSource's extensive network of licensed and credentialed professionals. A call to the toll-free number, 1-800-655-4545, is the first step in being connected with a counseling professional.
• Chaplains/Ministers – When parents of Exceptional Family Members (EFMs) seem to be having difficulty coping, installation service providers can ask them if they would feel more comfortable speaking with a chaplain before making a referral for counseling. Military chaplains and ministers in the civilian community often have professional counseling expertise as well as their ability to provide spiritual guidance and support.
• Family Centers – Some military family centers offer short-term, solution-focused counseling within their programs. At the very least, family centers will provide consultation, assessment and referral for counseling, plus help arrange respite care, if necessary, during counseling sessions. Installation service providers can use MilitaryHOMEFRONT's MilitaryINSTALLATIONS directory to locate the nearest Family Center.

Many people caring for a disabled family member find emotional support through relationships with other parents in similar situations. Talking to others who share the same experiences, emotions and concerns can be extremely reassuring as well as a source of new skills, knowledge, and insight. Opportunities for peer support can be in-person, through organized groups dealing with a particular issue or condition, and in cyberspace through online discussion groups, chat, and listservs. These opportunities may include:

• Installation Support Groups – Many installation family centers sponsor or have information on support groups for military special needs families. Local hospitals and schools often organize support groups around a particular disability, such as autism. Support groups may also be located by contacting the national association for a particular disability.
• Parent-to-Parent Programs – These programs are organized at the state and local levels to offer support and information to parents of children with disability, chronic illness, or special need. A typical parent-to-parent program will match a "support parent" — a trained volunteer who has developed effective coping skills and strategies for parenting a child with special needs — with a "referred parent" who has a child newly diagnosed, in crisis, in transition, or simply in need of support. Parents are matched as closely as possible based on the child's diagnosis, family structure, and ethnic or religious similarities. The kind, frequency, and duration of contacts vary based on individual needs. The Beach Center on Disability at the University of Kansas maintains an updated list of links to Parent-to-Parent groups by state.
• Online Chat, Discussion Boards, and Listservs – Parents of special needs children are increasingly turning to the Internet to find support and encouragement. Many national associations for specific disabilities sponsor online discussion groups. The Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP) has a listservs for military special needs families.

Many people caring for a disabled family member find emotional support through relationships with other parents in similar situations. Talking to others who share the same experiences, emotions and concerns can be extremely reassuring as well as a source of new skills, knowledge, and insight. Opportunities for peer support can be in-person, through organized groups dealing with a particular issue or condition, and in cyberspace through online discussion groups, chat, and listservs. These opportunities may include:

• Installation Support Groups – Many installation family centers sponsor or have information on support groups for military special needs families. Local hospitals and schools often organize support groups around a particular disability, such as autism. Support groups may also be located by contacting the national association for a particular disability.
• Parent-to-Parent Programs – These programs are organized at the state and local levels to offer support and information to parents of children with disability, chronic illness, or special need. A typical parent-to-parent program will match a "support parent" — a trained volunteer who has developed effective coping skills and strategies for parenting a child with special needs — with a "referred parent" who has a child newly diagnosed, in crisis, in transition, or simply in need of support. Parents are matched as closely as possible based on the child's diagnosis, family structure, and ethnic or religious similarities. The kind, frequency, and duration of contacts vary based on individual needs. The Beach Center on Disability at the University of Kansas maintains an updated list of links to Parent-to-Parent groups by state.
• Online Chat, Discussion Boards, and Listservs – Parents of special needs children are increasingly turning to the Internet to find support and encouragement. Many national associations for specific disabilities sponsor online discussion groups. The Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP) has a listservs for military special needs families.

Installation service providers can ask military families if they have an emergency preparedness plan and assist them with information and referrals when needed. Service providers should also remind families to:

• Communicate any evacuation plans with their spouses, unit family readiness representative and extended family members
• Make inland lodging arrangements in advance.  Families can always cancel their reservation later. Some hotels will accept pets under special circumstances.
• Travel with all important documents
• Plan for evacuation travel delays and pack food and lots of drinks.
• Make sure that family members with a communication/behavioral disorder are always carrying some form of identification with emergency contact numbers. Home phone numbers should not be listed, as this number may not be available during and after disaster.
• Expect to sustain family members with bedding, food and toiletries for at least seven days
• Financially plan in advance to stay in lodging
• Bring items to help entertain children, e.g., games, cards or books
• Bring a battery operated radio and flashlight. Even inland power loss is possible even in hotels and shelters

Installation service providers can ask military families if they have an emergency preparedness plan and assist them with information and referrals when needed. Service providers should also remind families to:

• Communicate any evacuation plans with their spouses, unit family readiness representative and extended family members
• Make inland lodging arrangements in advance.  Families can always cancel their reservation later. Some hotels will accept pets under special circumstances.
• Travel with all important documents
• Plan for evacuation travel delays and pack food and lots of drinks.
• Make sure that family members with a communication/behavioral disorder are always carrying some form of identification with emergency contact numbers. Home phone numbers should not be listed, as this number may not be available during and after disaster.
• Expect to sustain family members with bedding, food and toiletries for at least seven days
• Financially plan in advance to stay in lodging
• Bring items to help entertain children, e.g., games, cards or books
• Bring a battery operated radio and flashlight. Even inland power loss is possible even in hotels and shelters

If families cannot afford to stay in lodging away from their homes, installation service providers should refer the family to their military aid society. These aid societies can provide financial assistance for those in the Service who are in need.

• Army Emergency Relief (AER) Society
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS)
• Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)

If families cannot afford to stay in lodging away from their homes, installation service providers should refer the family to their military aid society. These aid societies can provide financial assistance for those in the Service who are in need.

• Army Emergency Relief (AER) Society
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS)
• Air Force Aid Society (AFAS)

Yes, but there are many factors that may affect reimbursement of a family's evacuation expenses. Families with questions should contact their unit family readiness officer. The Department of Defense (DoD) Financial Management Regulation 7000.14-R is the official DoD regulation that should be referenced when seeking information about evacuation reimbursements. The Department of Defense Form (DD Form) 1351-2 Travel Voucher must be completed for any expenses to be reimbursed.

Yes, but there are many factors that may affect reimbursement of a family's evacuation expenses. Families with questions should contact their unit family readiness officer. The Department of Defense (DoD) Financial Management Regulation 7000.14-R is the official DoD regulation that should be referenced when seeking information about evacuation reimbursements. The Department of Defense Form (DD Form) 1351-2 Travel Voucher must be completed for any expenses to be reimbursed.

Extended power outages that can last for weeks are possible after a disaster. If a family resides on an installation or in Public/Private Venture (PPV) housing and they require power to run vital medical equipment, the family should contact their assigned Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) coordinator or housing manager. If generators are not available then families should speak to their family member's Primary Care Manager (PCM) and ask if arrangements can be made for their family member to stay in a hospital or facility where power is available. Families should never install their own generator on an installation or in PPV housing without first asking permission from the housing manager.

Extended power outages that can last for weeks are possible after a disaster. If a family resides on an installation or in Public/Private Venture (PPV) housing and they require power to run vital medical equipment, the family should contact their assigned Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) coordinator or housing manager. If generators are not available then families should speak to their family member's Primary Care Manager (PCM) and ask if arrangements can be made for their family member to stay in a hospital or facility where power is available. Families should never install their own generator on an installation or in PPV housing without first asking permission from the housing manager.

Federal law allows guide dogs or service animals into emergency shelters. Installation service providers should advise families to take their service animal's rabies tag, service dog license, food, a bowl, medications if necessary, disposable bags, and any other important information they may need if they want to enter an evacuation shelter.

Federal law allows guide dogs or service animals into emergency shelters. Installation service providers should advise families to take their service animal's rabies tag, service dog license, food, a bowl, medications if necessary, disposable bags, and any other important information they may need if they want to enter an evacuation shelter.