Department of Defense Policies Affecting Sponsors and Family Members with Special Needs

DoD Directive 1342.17, "Family Policy," 30 December 1988, certified as current 21 November 2003  This directive establishes policies, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures on family policy for DoD military personnel in Active, National Guard, Reserve, or Retired status; civilian personnel; and DoD families. This directive also implements family policy-making criteria and ensures that the rights and autonomy of DoD families are considered in the formulation and implementation of DoD policies to the extent permitted by law.

DoD Directive 1315.07, "Military Personnel Assignments," 12 January 2005, certified as current 23 April 2007  This directive establishes policies, procedures and responsibilities pertaining to the assignment and reassignment of Service members.

DoD Instruction 1315.19 "Authorizing Special Needs Family Members Travel Overseas at Government Expense," 20 December 2005   This instruction assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for authorizing family member travel at government expense for active duty Service members who are assigned overseas and who have family members that meet the Department of Defense criteria for identifying a family member with special needs. The DoD Instruction 1315.19 also provides guidance for processing civilian employees who have family members with special needs for an overseas assignment.

DoD Instruction 1315.19 further directs the Secretaries of the Military Departments and the Heads of DoD Components to verify the availability of medical services essential to meet the needs of family members with special medical needs, and ensure the availability of early intervention services and related services essential to meet special education needs pursuant to the child's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or the Individualized Education Program (IEP).

DoD Directive 1020.1, "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs and Activities Assisted or Conducted by the Department of Defense," 31 March 1982 certified as current 21 November 2003 This directive implements Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (see Legislation) and directs all organizations under the secretary of defense to:

• Make all services and facilities accessible to people with disabilities (includes schools, chapels, commissaries, medical treatment facilities, child and youth services, etc.)
• Ensure nondiscrimination in employment of DoD personnel 
• Establish procedures to file and manage complaints so they are resolved in a timely manner

DoD Instruction 1342.12, "Provision of Early Intervention and Special Education Services to Eligible DoD Dependents," 11 April 2005  This instruction establishes policy for early intervention services and free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment in DoD schools. DoDI 1342.12 also assigns responsibility for early intervention and some related services to Military Medical Departments.

DoD Instruction 1342.19, "Family Care Plans," 10 May 2010 This instruction establishes policy, assigns responsibilities and prescribes procedures on the care of family members of DoD and emergency-essential (E-E) civilian personnel who are single parents; dual military couples with dependents; or members or E-E civilian personnel who otherwise bear sole responsibility for the care of children under the age of 19; or other personnel with family members who are unable to care for themselves (family members with special needs) in the absence of the member or E-E employee.

The Family Care Plan is a required document that outlines the person(s) who shall provide care of the children, disabled, elderly, and/or other family members who are dependent on the Service member for financial, medical or logistical support (housing, food, clothing, transportation) in the absence of the Service member due to military duties.

DoD instruction 1000.13, "Identification (ID) Cards for Members of the Uniformed Services, Their Dependents, and Other Eligible Individuals," 05 December 1997  This instruction establishes policy, responsibilities, and procedures for the issuance of ID cards to members of the Uniformed Services of the United States; prescribes ID and privilege cards for issuance to their dependents and other eligible individuals.

Children who become incapacitated prior to age 21 (or between 21 and 23 if enrolled as a full time student) and are incapable of self-support, remain entitled to benefits and privileges authorized by the Uniformed Services if medical sufficiency is met and the sponsor is providing over 50 percent of their support.

DD Form 2792, "Family  Member Medical Summary," April 2011 This form is for DoD personnel to use when identifying a family member with special medical needs.

DD FORM 2792-1, "Special Education/Early Intervention Summary," APR 2011 The information from this summary is used by DoD personnel to evaluate and document the special education needs of family members.