MILITARY LIFE
SPECIAL NEEDS CONSULTATIONS
The special needs consultants available through Military OneSource Exceptional Family Member Program Resources, Options and Consultations, or EFMP ROC, can answer your questions and concerns related to your child or adult family member with special needs.
Consultants are professionals with master's degrees and extensive experience in the disability field. They're also trained in military programs. When you have your call, you can expect your consultant to:
• Listen to what your family needs
• Complete a needs assessment
• Determine and evaluate what resources your family already has or has tried
• Guide your family toward the help you need
• Conduct three-way calls between you and TRICARE health care and arrange warm hand-offs to installation EFMP Family Support staff or other experts to assist you
• EFMP has enhanced support for families with special needs through ROC. EFMP ROC provides ready, one-source access to specialized resources, options and customized consultations for military families with special needs. Call or live chat at any time to schedule a specialty consultation by phone or video.
• EFMP connects you with consultants who have subject matter expertise in education, the military health care system, TRICARE coverage, state and federal programs and more.
EFMP ROC provides extra support through three-way calls with health care and other experts. Go to EFMP ROC at militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/specialty-consultations/efmp-roc
HOW CAN SPECIAL NEEDS CONSULTANTS HELP?
Your consultant can connect you with information, resources, services and more, including:
• Information about specialized doctors, medical-equipment resources and medical benefits
• Early intervention and special education
• The Education Directory for Children With Special Needs, ( efmpeducationdirectory.militaryonesource.mil) which helps military families make informed assignment decisions and easier transitions
• Options for when your child graduates from high school
• The Exceptional Family Member Program (militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/special-needs/exceptional-family-member/the-exceptional-family-member-program-for-families-with-special-needs)
• Support for adults with special needs ( militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/special-needs/special-needs-benefits), including information on insurance, Social Security Disability Insurance ( militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/special-needs/support-for-families/what-is-social-security-disability-insurance), Supplemental Security Income ( ssa.gov/benefits/ssi), Medicare ( medicare.gov) and Medicaid ( medicaid.gov)
• Research on grants, support groups, in-home care and help during deployments
• Recreational referrals to specialized summer camps and other extracurricular activities
• Referrals to legal and financial resources ( militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/special-needs/special-needs-resources) for families with special needs, such as guidance on special needs estate planning and creating a special needs trust
• Caregiver wellness referrals for support groups, stress management, non-medical counseling ( militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/non-medical-counseling) and health and wellness coaching ( militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/specialty-consultations/health-wellness-coaching/health-wellness-coach-the-essentials) and other resources
• Respite care ( tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/RespiteCare.aspx?sc_data-base=web) resources through TRICARE ( tricare.mil) or community programs, and through each service branch
Special needs consultants are ready to support you. Consultations are available via phone or video session. Make an appointment 24/7 with live chat or by calling 800-342-9647.
PCS: THE BASICS ABOUT PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION
A permanent change of station is part of military life. Experiencing different parts of the country and the world is a unique benefit of military service.
In fact, travel and visiting new cultures may have been among the reasons you joined the military. More than 400,000 service members PCS annually, so you can expect PCS orders to be part of your military career.
WHAT YOUR PCS ORDERS INCLUDE
Unlike temporary duty assignments, permanent change of station orders are a longer-term assignment, generally two to four years. Broadly speaking, your orders will tell you where you'll be moving to – either CONUS or OCONUS.
• CONUS: Moves inside the continental United States
• OCONUS: Moves outside the continental U.S. These are typically overseas moves, but also include Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories. Your orders will also include:
• Issue date
• Issuer's name
• Order number
• Authorized locations
If you are going to coordinate your move through the military, you will need to have this information handy.
ORGANIZING YOUR MOVE
Moving is rarely simple, and in times of global uncertainty it is more important than ever to know the best ways to organize the logistics of your move and act fast once you get your orders. The Department of Defense provides a variety of resources to help make your PCS as easy and safe as possible:
• Military OneSource is available 24/7 anywhere in the world with expert moving consultants and online tools and resources to help you get organized and settled. Call anytime to speak with a consultant, or set up an online chat. Learn more about moving in the military ( militaryonesource.mil/mov- ing-housing/moving/pcs-and-military-moves) and find out how our experts can help you master your PCS.
• Move.mil, the official Department of Defense customer moving portal is moving to Military OneSource. In the next few months, you'll be able to access resources and tools available from U.S. Transportation Command here on Military OneSource. Some information is here now, including:
• Customer support for moving household goods: militaryonesource.mil/moving-housing/moving/pcs-and-military- moves/#moving-experts
• Resources to help you plan your shipment: militaryone-
militaryonesource.mil/moving-housing/moving/pcs-and-military-moves/#related-content• Link to log in to the Defense Personal Property System to schedule your move: dps.move.mil/cust/standard/user/home.xhtml Additional resources and information will be coming to Military OneSource soon. As we work toward giving you one source of access for all your moving needs, you can still use Move.mil for tools, tips and more.
• Plan My Move ( planmymove.militaryonesource.mil) is an online tool that helps you create, organize and manage your PCS through customized checklists, so you can stay on top of important to-dos as you go through the moving process. Answer a couple of questions and you're on your way to building your custom checklist.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES
There are a variety of resources both online and through your installation to help you transition before, during and after your move:
• Your installation's Relocation Assistance Program ( installations.military- onesource.mil/?looking-for-a=program/program-service=9/focus=program) is a great source of information and support for moving and getting settled at your new duty station. Relocation experts offer pre-departure briefings, newcomer orientations, and information about job opportunities, child care, school liaisons and more. Find out how to put the military's relocation assistance program to work for you.
• The MilitaryINSTALLATIONS ( installations.militaryonesource.mil) website provides comprehensive information about military installations worldwide. Search for programs and services, access information on temporary housing, check-in procedures, schools, surrounding community and more.
• The military sponsorship program ( militaryonesource.mil/mov- ing-housing/moving/sponsorship/sponsorship-the-essentials) helps service members and families as they transition to a new duty station and community. Typically, your unit will assign a service member of similar rank and family make-up to help you learn the ropes at your new duty station. Learn more about the benefits of sponsorship in the short Sponsorship and You course ( militaryonesource.mil/moving-housing/moving/sponsorship/sponsorship-the-essentials) available on MilLife Learning.
• The Blog Brigade website ( blog- brigade.militaryonesource.mil/blogs/moving) offers insider moving tips and military life insights from other service members.
Whether this is your first PCS or you're a seasoned professional, let Military OneSource help you master your move so you can get on with your mission.
BLUE STAR MUSEUMS
Museums across America are rolling out the red carpet for active-duty, National Guard and reserve service members and their families between Armed Forces Day and Labor Day. Simply flash your ID and enjoy free access through the Blue Star Museums initiative.
STATE OF THE ART: Typically, more than 2,000 museums across America participate in Blue Star Museums each summer. These include children's museums, art museums, history and science museums, zoos, and nature centers.
The program is a collaborative effort between the Department of Defense, the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and participating museums. The Blue Star Museums initiative ( ww.arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums) provides even more ways for you and your family to explore your community, spend time together and share adventures.
BE IN THE KNOW
Here are some helpful things to know about the Blue Star Museums initiative:
• You'll be in good company. More than 2 million military families have enjoyed Blue Star Museums since the program launched in 2010. Join their ranks, if you haven't already.
• Your ID card is your ticket to the museums. Just show your common access card, or DD Form 1173 or 1173-1 identification card.
• Your admission is free, so there's no need to limit yourself. Explore fine art, history, science, children's museums, arboretums, historical parks, nature centers and more. Find participating museums ( arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums) near you or along your travel route.
• Your Information, Tickets and Travel office ( militaryone- source.mil/recreation-travel-shopping/recreation/tickets-tours/information-tickets-and-travel-your-key-to-fun) can add to your fun. As you map out your museum visits this summer, check with the office to find additional attractions in your area.
• You can enjoy a staycation ( militaryonesource.mil/recreation-travel-shopping/travel/travel-planning/avoid-travel-stress-and-save-money-with-a-staycation-
Make it a blockbuster summer. See how many Blue Star Museums you can explore. Be sure to take advantage of the other great opportunities your morale, welfare and recreation program offers ( installations.militaryonesource.mil/?looking-for-a=program/program-service=5/focus=program).
The 2021 Blue Star Museums program begins on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 15, 2021, and ends Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6, 2021.
ABOUT BLUE STAR MUSEUMS Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across America offering free admission to the nation's active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve. For more information on Blue Star Museums, please see the FAQ page of the National Endowment for the Arts at arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums/frequently-asked-questions