Presented by: Presented by: Work-Life Family Resource SpecialistWork-Life Family Resource Specialist

……provide information about and provide information about and promote awareness of the Special promote awareness of the Special

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

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

Enrollment in the Coast Guard Special Needs Program Enrollment in the Coast Guard Special Needs Program is mandatory for all active duty service members who is mandatory for all active duty service members who have dependent family members diagnosed with have dependent family members diagnosed with medical, psychological, physical, or educational special medical, psychological, physical, or educational special needs. needs.

Ultimate responsibility for enrollment in the Special Ultimate responsibility for enrollment in the Special Needs Program rests with the AD member (including Needs Program rests with the AD member (including updates).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 The following forms are completed as part of the enrollment process.enrollment process.

Family Member Medical Summary, DD Form 2792 (for Family Member Medical Summary, DD Form 2792 (for medical, psychological, and physical conditions)medical, psychological, and physical conditions)

Special Education/Early Intervention Summary, DD Form Special Education/Early Intervention Summary, DD Form 2792-1 (for educational special needs) 2792-1 (for educational special needs)

The Family Resource Specialist is the primary point of The Family Resource Specialist is the primary point of contact for forms and assistance with questions contact for forms and assistance with questions related to the forms for AD members and family related to the forms for AD members and family members.members.

Because of the sensitive nature of the Special Needs Because of the sensitive nature of the Special Needs Program, all information related to the family Program, all information related to the family

members’ medical conditions shall be kept strictly members’ medical conditions shall be kept strictly confidential with access only by authorized confidential with access only by authorized

personnel who have the need-to-know. 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

Required by instruction

Every three years

Changes in condition

New unit date

Separation date

FRS FRS Enrolls Enrolls MemberMember

FRS Sets Flag FRS Sets Flag in Direct in Direct AccessAccess

AO Contacts AO Contacts FRS – Current FRS – Current Duty StationDuty Station

Current FRS Current FRS Contacts Contacts

Proposed FRSProposed FRS

FRS FRS Responds Responds

to AOto AO

Purpose was to provide information about and promote Purpose was to provide information about and promote awareness of the Special Needs Program.awareness of the Special Needs Program.

Topics included: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

http://www.uscg.mil/worklife/contact.asp

USCG HSWL Mobile App