2011 Guide to Federal Benefits

Veterans Affairs has released a 2011 guide to Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, and Survivors which can be found here. This is a comprehensive guide which includes benefits for dependent children for health care, education, and more. This is a valuable resource!

Scholarship for Surviving National Guard Children

The National Guard Educational Foundation (NGEF) created a college scholarship fund for the children of more than 650 National Guardsmen killed in the war on terrorism. The DRS Guardian Scholarship Fund, which will be administered by the NGEF and underwritten by DRS Technologies, Inc. of Parsippany, N.J., will provide up to $6,250 per year to selected students attending a four-year institution or a two-year program at a community college or technical school.

DoD Summer Reading Program for Your Munchkins

Defense Department (DoD) libraries will launch a summer reading program in the hopes of inspiring children -- and adults -- of all ages to read throughout the summer. Visitors to libraries on 270 military installations around the world are invited to join "A Midsummer Knight's Read," an activity-packed reading program with a medieval twist.

DoDEA Schools Seek Parent Input

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) wants people who use the schools to provide their ideas on how to modernize education for the military schools of the future including the design and furnishing of them. Parents and community members are invited to share ideas at the DoDEA website.

Free SAT/ACT Software for Military Munchkins

With the approach of Memorial Day, eKnowledge is reminding all that they are continuing to offer their free SAT/ACT prep software for servicemembers, veterans, and their families.

Military Brats Online - Social Networking for Military Munchkins

Did you know there is a social networking site just for military munchkins? The site is Military Brats Online. There's almost 5,000 members (at the time of this post) and is a great way to connect and relate with others just like your munchkins!

2011 MilBlog Conference Live Stream

The 2011 MilBlog Conference is quickly approaching! Tune in Saturday, April 30th for live coverage on another great blog, YouServed! They have posted the agenda below the chat and have said that select questions from chat will be asked during question and answer sessions as well. Why does the MilBlog Conference matter to Military Munchkin readers looking for tips, resources, and insight for their military munchkins?

Military Brat Life - a military munchkin magazine

Social networking can expose you, too much, at times when you really just want to share with others who can relate. Military Brat Life is a military munchkin magazine written entirely by military munchkins! There are essays, articles, poetry, and more. If you'd like to contribute, check out

NMFA 2011 Operation Purple® Camp

The National Military Family Association (NMFA) has just issued a press release for their upcoming Operation Purple Camps. It is a free camp to support our military munchkins who have dealt with the stress of war.

?s to Ask School Districts (When You're Enrolled in EFMP or Have a Special Needs Child)

Are you wondering what questions you should ask of the school district(s) at your new duty station? Do you want to insure they will be able to meet your child's needs? Here are a list of questions you may want to ask when speaking directly with the LSSP or other school district personnel:

1. Whom should I contact at the school when we arrive?
2. What information should I bring with me or provide to you before we arrive?
3. Could I fax/e-mail you a copy of my child’s IEP to help you prepare for his/her arrival? To whom should I send it and what number/e-mail address should I use?
4. The parts of my child’s IEP that worked really well were (insert information). Does your staff have experience doing this?

Munchkins' Special Needs Glossary of Terms

A

Asperger Syndrome: developmental disability that affects a person's ability to socialize and communicate effectively with others.

Autism: developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age three;

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): categorical term that encompasses the various syndromes related to autism. Often used interchangeably with autism and pervasive developmental disorders.

B

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA): behavior analyst certified through the Behavior Analysts Certification Board

C

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD): developmental disability in which children develop normally until ages 2 to 4, but then demonstrate a severe loss of social, communication and other skills.

D

Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA): a field activity of the Office of the Secretary of Defense with the mission to plan, direct, coordinate, and manage the education programs for eligible dependents of U.S. military personnel and civilian personnel of the Department of Defense.

Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM): publication of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) that contains the diagnostic criteria for all mental health disorders for children and adults, including autism. DSM-IV is the current edition and DSM-V is expected to be published in 2013.

Dispute Resolution: under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents have the right to request mediation, file an administrative complaint, or request a due process hearing to resolve special education conflicts with school districts.

E

Evidence Based Practices (EBP): educational practices supported by research findings and/or demonstrated as being effective through a critical examination of current and past practices.

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP): component within the military that provides support to military families that include members with exceptional needs, including ASD. Each branch of the military administers its own EFMP for its members.

I

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): federal law that requires public school districts to identify children with disabilities and provide them with a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.

M

Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MICCC): created to address education transition issues faced by military families when they are reassigned so they are afforded the same opportunities for educational success as other children.

O

OCONUS Directory of Special Needs: provides information about the level of special education services available in overseas military communities.

P

Pervasive Developmental Disorder: categorical term that encompasses several developmental disorders, such as autism or Asperger syndrome, characterized by severe deficits in social interaction and communication or by the presence of repetitive, stereotyped behaviors.

R

Rett Syndrome: rare genetic disorder that affects the way the brain develops. It occurs almost exclusively in girls.

T

TRICARE: health care program serving active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, retirees, families and survivors worldwide.