1. Summer
IN THIS ISSUE
2011
My Command News
My Command News
•EFMP: THEN & NOW
•DoD Develops Plan for Expanded
Military Family Support
EFMP: THEN & NOW
•STOMP
My Resources
• National Down Syndrome Society
Offers Scholarship Assistance
• Easter Seals releases Living with The Navy’s Exceptional Family Member community support to families and more.
Disabilities Study Program was originally established in 1987 in
My Healthy Family response to the Individuals with Disabilities One of the first phases of this expanded
• TRICARE Online Improves Health Education Act (IDEA). At its core, the program program was the hiring of EFMP Liaison
Data Access focuses on detailing: enrolling sailors who positions to staff Fleet & Family Support
• New Children of Military Service have family members with special medical or Centers. FFSC Mid Atlantic region FFSCs
Members Resource Guide Released educational needs to ensure that the receiving have added a total of ten (10) new full-time
by the Defense Centers of Excellence duty station has the facilities and services to EFMP Liaisons as well as a full time Liaison
• You Care, We Care: Self-Care tips meet the exceptional family member’s special Lead. These additional staff will be a valuable
for Caregivers needs. new resource for service members and
referral to help service members enroll in the
Family Fun program & access information and resources.
• Accessible/Inclusive Playgrounds In 2010, landmark legislation was passed as
• Sensory-Free Movies part of the National Defense Authorization Act
• Challenger Baseball FY 2010, which expanded the EFMP through
establishment of a new Office of Community
Meet your new EFMP Liaisons!
Q&A Support for Military Families with Special
Needs. This new office is
tasked with identifying &
addressing gaps in services to
New Education Directory For families with special needs,
Children with Special Needs overseeing EFMP enrollment
& assignment coordination
process, expansion of case
“The Directory is published management and assignment
coordination to include
by DoD’s Office of Community CONUS & OCONUS. The
Support for Military Families NDAA FY10 also requires
with Special Needs.” that the Navy 1) Expand
assignment coordination so
that family members’ needs
For more information visit: will be considered when they
are moving from state-to-
http://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/ state and not just overseas;
Pictured (from left): Wendy Cunningham, Saratoga Springs; Robin Conley, Oceana;
QOL-Library/MHF/260593.html 2) require military services Jennifer Pierce, Regional Office; Christi Jones, Portsmouth Naval Hospital; Deanne Noel,
to stabilize service members at a location Yorktown/NNSY; Todd McGehee, JEBLCFS, Loris Velez-Acevedo, Norfolk; Lisa Dain, New
for a minimum of four years, and 3) expand London, CT; Lee Hardgrove, Newport, RI; Robertson Thomas, Oceana
NAVY EFMP MID-ATLANTIC REGION NEWSLETTER • SUMMER EDITION 2011 1

2. My Command News
STOMP Training DoD Develops Plan for Expanded
On March 23 & 24, 2011, Mid Atlantic region
FFSC EFMP Liaisons partnered with Marine
Military Family Support
Corps Community Services/Camp Allen EFMP In January 2011, the White House released communities more effectively support military
to host a workshop presented by Heather Hebdon a report titled STRENGTHENING families, and thereby improve the long-term
of STOMP (Specialized Training of Military OUR MILITARY FAMILIES: Meeting effectiveness of all active U.S. military forces.
Parents). Twenty-five individuals participated in America’s Commitment, a report detailing
this training event including military families, a comprehensive government initiative to This effort plans to focus on four core
EFMP representatives from all five branches increase supportive services for military areas: Enhancing military families’ well-being
of service, and Navy School Liaison Officers. families. The effort was initiated in May and psychological health; Developing military
2010 by President Barack Obama as a spouse career and education opportunities;
STOMP is a federally funded Parent Training directive to the National Security Staff to Increasing child care availability and quality;
and Information (PTI) Center established to develop a coordinated, all-encompassing and Ensuring excellence in military children’s
assist military families who have children with approach to supporting military families. education and development.
special education or health needs. This is a Goals of the program include improving the
parent-directed project that exists to empower quality of military family life and helping
military parents, individuals with disabilities,
Key efforts to benefit military families include:
and service providers with knowledge, skills,
and resources so that they might access
services to create a collaborative environment
for family and professional partnerships Expanded counseling services. The report cited a 2010 study that reports an 11 percent
without regard to geographic location. increase in outpatient visits for behavioral health issues among a group of 3- to 8-year-old
children of military parents and an increase in behavioral and stress disorders when a parent
STOMP assists families by providing was deployed.
information and training about laws, regulations New and improved programs to increase behavioral health care services for
and resources for military families of children military families.
with disabilities; connecting families to other
families; assisting parents and professionals A program review of educational services for autism spectrum disorder available to
in developing their own community parent military dependent children conducted by the Ohio State University’s College of Education &
education/support group; and providing a Human Ecology.
voice to raise awareness of issues faced by
military families of children with disabilities. Focus on the need for more abundant child care. There are 200,000 military children in
the child care system with a shortage of about 37,000 child care spaces.
The STOMP Project hosts a ListServ
for military families and professionals to stay Improvements in education and development for military children. The Education
informed, connect and learn from each other, Department, for example, will, for the first time, favor grant applications to meet the needs of
providing them with the necessary knowledge, military-connected students, and DoD is committed to making its schools a leader in the use
skills and resources to access services and feel of advanced learning technologies, including software, online courses and student-written and
confident in their role as their child’s best advocate. sharable simulations.
Recent listserv topics have included Pursue the complete development of the Interstate Compact on Educational
TRICARE funding ABA, assistive technology Opportunity for Military Children, which addresses mobility-
questions, PCSing, and other topics related related challenges military children face, such as records transfer and
to military life when there is a family member course placement.
with a disability or other special need.
S T R ENG T H EN I NG OU R
To find out more about STOMP or subscribe M I L I TA RY FA M I L I E S
to the Listserv, To read or download the full report visit:
visit their website http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2011/0111_initiative/ Meeting America’s Commitment
at: http://www. Strengthening_our_Military_January_2011.pdf JA N UA RY 2 011
stompproject.org/.
2 NAVY EFMP MID-ATLANTIC REGION NEWSLETTER • SUMMER EDITION 2011

3. My Resources
National Down New Children of Military Service Members Resource
Guide Released by the
Syndrome Society Defense Centers of
Offers Scholarship Excellence
Assistance Military children and youth of all ages
are faced with many challenges throughout
The Joshua O’Neill and Zeshan the deployment cycle. From work-ups to
Tabani Enrichment Fund seeks to offer homecoming, the constant change and
financial assistance to young adults with separation from loved ones can significantly
Down syndrome who are 18 years old or affect the mental and emotional health needs of Military Service Members Resource Guide
older, who wish to continue to participate of military these children and youth. The identifies age appropriate resources addressing
in postsecondary education programs or mission of the Defense Centers of Excellence is such topics as: Deployment, Homecoming,
enrichment courses to gain employment and to identify and promote effective instructional Loss of a Parent, Mental/Emotional Wellbeing,
other important life skills contributing to material for wounded warriors, families, and and Moving.
their independence. Grants of up to $2,000 health care providers. In accordance with this
are available by completing an extensive mission, the DCoE has developed an online The guide is now available for download at:
application process. resource to assist families and health care http://dcoe.health.mil/DCoeNews/DCoERe-
providers address the mental and emotional leasesNewChildrenofMilitaryServiceMember-
The fund was established in January health needs of military children. The Children sResourceGuide.aspx
2005 by Zeshan Tabani to honor his friend
Joshua O’Neill. Joshua is a young man with
Down syndrome and was able to benefit from
Easter Seals releases Living with Disabilities Study
participating in a postsecondary education The Living With Disability Study illustrates the life-long challenges surrounding
experience. He now lives independently, everyday life and future concerns for parents of adult children with disabilities and adults
with supports, works part-time, and leads with disabilities.
a productive and happy life. Zeshan was Many parents worry their adult children’s basic needs for employment, housing,
inspired by Joshua and wanted to help others transportation, social interactions, recreation, healthcare and financial security will not be
who might not have the same opportunity. met:
• Only 11% of parents of adult children with disabilities report their child is
Visit the National Down Syndrome Society employed full time.
website at www.ndss.org to learn more.
• Just 6 in 10 parents of adult children with a disability rate their child’s quality of
life as excellent or good (61%), compared to 8 in 10 parents of adults without a
disability (82%).
• Huge gaps exist in parents of adults with disabilities’ assessment of their child’s ability to
manage their own finances (34% vs. 82% parents of adults without disabilities) and
have the life skills necessary to live independently (30% vs. 83% parents of adults without
disabilities).
• Nearly 7 in 10 adults with disabilities (69%) live with their parent(s) or guardian;
only 17% live independently compared to more than half of adult children without
disabilities (51%).
Download the full study or the 16 page summary here: http://
www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ntl_living_with_
disabilities_study_home&s_src=LWDstudy&s_subsrc=bannerad
NAVY EFMP MID-ATLANTIC REGION NEWSLETTER • SUMMER EDITION 2011 3

4. My Healthy Family
Self-Care for Recognize warning signs early
These might include irritability, sleep problems,
Seek Solutions
Once you’ve identified a problem, taking action to
Caregivers and forgetfulness. Know your own warning signs, solve it can change the situation and also change
and act to make changes. Don’t wait until you are your attitude to a more positive one, giving you
overwhelmed. more confidence in your abilities.
Family caregivers are sometimes Identify sources of stress Ask For and Accept Help
less likely than non-caregivers to practice Ask yourself, “What is causing stress for me?” Many caregivers are reluctant to ask for help and
preventive healthcare and self-care Sources of stress might be too much to do, family wait until they are overwhelmed or exhausted
disagreements, feelings of inadequacy, inability to Reaching out for help when you need it is a sign of
behavior and many report problems such personal strength.
as sleep deprivation, poor eating habits, say no.
failure to exercise, failure to stay in bed Identify what you can and cannot change Talk to Your Physician
when ill, and postponement of or failure Remember, we can only change ourselves; we Caregivers sometimes neglect their own health
to make medical appointments. Family cannot change another person. When you try to in the face of the demands of caring for others.
caregivers are also at increased risk for change things over which you have no control, It is important to build a partnership with your
excessive use of alcohol, tobacco and other you will only increase your sense of frustration. physician to address your health needs.
drugs and for depression. Studies show Exercise Regularly
that an estimated 46 percent to 59 percent Take action Exercise promotes better sleep, reduces tension
of caregivers are clinically depressed. Taking some action to reduce stress gives us back and depression, and increases energy and alertness.
a sense of control. Stress reducers can be simple Exercise can be incorporated it into your daily
activities like walking or having coffee with a routine and activities you enjoy.
friend.
Learn from Your Emotions
Set Goals It is a strength to recognize when your emotions
Once you’ve set a goal, ask yourself, “What steps are controlling you (instead of you controlling
do I take to reach my goal?” Make an action plan your emotions). Our emotions are messages we
by deciding which step you will take first, and need to listen to. Learn from them, then take ap-
when. Then get started! propriate action.
Communicate Constructively Adapted from the Taking Care of YOU: Self-
When you communicate in ways that are clear, Care for Family Caregivers Fact Sheet
Follow these self-care tips to avoid assertive and constructive, you will be heard and ©Family Caregiver Alliance National Center on
caregiver burnout and health problems: get the help and support you need. Caregiving www.caregiver.org
TRICARE Online
available to those who regularly get care at military patients and families we serve,” said Dr.
hospitals and clinics. George Peach Taylor Jr., acting principal
deputy assistant secretary
Improves Health
“These new capabilities are a major step of defense for health
forward in engaging military health system affairs. “We could not
patients as partners in their own health care,”
Data Access
have accomplished this
said Navy Rear Adm. (Dr.) Christine Hunter, without the continuing
TRICARE Management Activity deputy strong collaboration
director. “Personal electronic health records can between DOD and the
also improve care by conveying accurate patient
From a TRICARE Management Activity information between providers, avoiding
VA.”
News Release duplication of tests and reducing delays in TRICARE Online
treatment.” is the Military Health
FALLS CHURCH, Va., April 22, 2011 - New System’s Internet point
TRICARE Online features give users access The Blue Button was fielded by TRICARE of entry, giving the
to expanded personal health data, including and was made generally available by other health plan’s 9.6 million beneficiaries access to
lab results, patient history and diagnoses, and federal health care providers last year. With available health care services and information
provider visits. more than 250,000 users, officials said, it is the through a secure portal. Users who receive their
result of a close interagency partnership among care at a military treatment facility can schedule
The military health plan’s new online the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments
features expand the website’s “Blue Button” appointments, order prescription refills and
and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid view their personal health data. Other users
capability, which already allowed beneficiaries Services.
to safely and securely access and print or save with active prescriptions at a military pharmacy
their demographic information, allergy and “The Blue Button efforts are just another also can request a refill for those prescriptions.
medication profiles, officials said. example of how DOD and VA are working
together to shape the future of health care Reprinted from http://www.defense.gov/
The level of data available depends on where [information technology] collaboration, news/newsarticle.aspx?id=63664
treatment occurs, officials said, with the most data interoperability and transparency for the
4 NAVY EFMP MID-ATLANTIC REGION NEWSLETTER • SUMMER EDITION 2011

5. Family Fun
Accessible/Inclusive Playgrounds
Accessible playgrounds are designed to
make it possible for everyone to play regardless Connecticut
of ability or disability. Community demand Tercentennial Legacy Playground,
and ADA regulations have created an increase Poquonnock Plains Park, Groton
in the building of new playgrounds geared
toward accessibility and usability. New London Rotary Centennial
Virginia Playground,
Toby May Field, Ocean Avenue, New London Boundless® Playground
at Deer Park, Newport New
s
Boundless® Playground at Deer Park,
11532 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News New York
Freedom Park Boundless® Playground,
My Place Playground, 71 Glenwood Avenue, Queensbury CVS Caremark Boundless Playground,
Williamsburg-James City County
Community Center, Three Angels Dream Central Park, The Marshall Family Park,
5301 Longhill Road, Williamsburg Central Parkway, Schenectady 1000 Eddy Street, Providence
JT’s Grommet Island Beach Park and The imPOSSIBLE DREAM Playground,
Playground for EveryBody, Rhode Island 575 Centerville Road, Warwick
Oceanfront between 1st and 2nd St., VA Kids’ Kove Playground, Barrington Matty’s Place, Hazard School on
Beach Town Hall Park, Columbia Street, Wakefield
New Hampshire 283 County Road, Barrington
The Sarah Jane McCullough
Casey White Playground, Stevens Park, Hasbro Boundless™ Playground, Handicapped Play Area
376 Mammoth, Manchester Roger Williams Park, Providence 190 Kingstown Road, Wyoming
Sensory-Free Movies
aseball
Challenger Base
formed in 1989 ball is a division of Little Leag
if still in high sc for children age 4-18 (or up to ue Sensory-free movies allow children with Autism
disabilities. Therhool) with physical and intellect 22 Spectrum Disorders and other special needs and their
Challenger B
Divisions worldw e are currently 900 Challe ual families to go out to the movies without worrying
ng
coach pitch, play ide and games are played as t-b er
er pitch, or a co al about being too loud, too wiggly, too sensitive,
three. Challenger
te mbination of l, too noisy, or even too scared of the dark. Since
who can assist th ams partner players with “buddithe
equipment are th em as needed, and uniforms es” these families are the only ones in the theater, they
League divisions. e same as those used by other Liand don’t have to worry about bothering anyone else.
ttle
During sensory-friendly showings, theaters skip
previews, adjust lighting and volume, supply popcorn
are posed ven
ilities p are gi without butter, allow guests to bring their own GCFC
lar ab eams, as oger players o score is
imi on t snacks, and relax the “rules” about viewer
rs of s llen nd n
------
Playe d together s. All Cha r inning a noise and movement to create a more
e g
plac e groupin at once p e
w. welcoming environment for individuals
------
to ag hance to b ://ww with ASDs and other sensory disorders.
the c visi t httpvisions/
ation out/di
------
kept. inform/learn/ab tm
ore g Visit the Autism Society of America
For m league.or allenger.h at www.autism-society.org to find a list
------
litt le ch
of participating theaters.
------
----
NAVY EFMP MID-ATLANTIC REGION NEWSLETTER • SUMMER EDITION 2011 5

6. QUESTIONS ABOUT EFMP??
MESSAGE
Date
Time
To
From
Message
EFMP LIAISONS
Visit the Frequently
Questions section on Asked
our website. Hampton Roads
Still need answers?
Email us at Norfolk ................................................... (757) 444-2102
jennifer.r.pierce.ctr@
navy.mil and we
will feature your que NMC Portsmouth ................ (757) 953-7805
stions & answers
in upcoming newslett JEB Little Creek-Ft Story ... (757) 462-8922
ers (with an email
directly to you imme Oceana ..................................... (757) 433-2174/3635
diately so you
don’t have to wait!) Yorktown/NNSY ............................ (757) 887-4606
Connecticut
New London ................................... (860) 694-2233
New Hampshire
Portsmouth, NH ............................ (207) 438-1441
New York
Saratoga Springs .........(518) 886-0200 x 148
Rhode Island
Newport ............................................ (401) 841-4562
www.cnic.navy.mil/navylifema
6 NAVY EFMP MID-ATLANTIC REGION NEWSLETTER • SUMMER EDITION 2011