EFMP activates new action team

By Leonard Webster, Exceptional Family Member Program, Army Community ServiceAugust 24, 2015

EFMP activates new action team
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SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Army families should be aware that changes have been made at the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP).

The Special Needs Accommodation Process, or SNAP, has changed its name to the Multidisciplinary Inclusion Action Team, or MIAT.

The MIAT team is a multidisciplinary team established to determine what accommodations need to be made for children with special needs. Reason, we want your child to be successful in their placement in Child, Youth and School (CYS) Services programs.

- Program goals

As parents, we all want our children to meet their full potential. Enrolling your children into group activities, learning centers, organized sports and other events will not only encourage social development but also help promote inclusion within the youth community.

Parents play a very special role in making sure your children are afforded equal opportunity to thrive, so MIAT is moving into gear and ready to share how the MIAT concept can help.

- Who comprises MIAT

The members of the MIAT team include you, the parents and/or guardian of a special needs family member, a representative from Army Community Service (ACS), EFMP, an Army Public Health Nurse (APHN) and a CYS Services designee.

All other personnel are augmented as needed.

The parent or guardian is a vital member in the MIAT and participation is essential to the overall success of your children in CYS Services programs. They provide essential help by providing the MIAT team with a brief history and outline of the child's current condition, concerns and actions taken.

As the parent or guardian of a special needs family member, you may also be asked to provide medical documentation, statements of illnesses, allergies and copies of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

- How does the MIAT process work?

Parents or guardians will complete a CYS Services DA 7625-1 Health Screening, and once complete, this form will be turned into CYS Parent Central Services, which will forward the completed forms to the APHN for review and recommendations.

In some instances, a Medical Action Plan (MAP) and/or Special Diet Statement will be provided.

The MAP will be completed by your child's physician and will state your child's diagnosis and any required accommodations.

If the APHN determines a Full MIAT is necessary, then a MIAT meeting must be scheduled. ACS EFMP will initiate contact and the appropriate MIAT team members to schedule a MIAT meeting.

At the meeting the child's needs are discussed, along with recommendations of a developmentally appropriate environment. We will consider any health, developmental, physical, social, emotional, learning and behavioral issues that affect the child.

Also addressed at the MIAT meeting will be the expectations of the service to be provided by the CYS Services staff.

The goal is to ensure that every child has the very best experience at CYS Services and that staff are trained to provide the individual care needed.

- EFMP/MIAT Contact

For more details, contact Leonard Webster, EFMP coordinator, at Bldg. 2091, Army Community Service, Kolekole Avenue, Schofield Barracks, or call (808) 655-4ACS (4227).

Related Links:

U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii

Hawaii Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation