Resources

Make This Summer Work for Your Family Summer can bring a welcome break from homework and busy school schedules, but for military families raising children with disabilities, it can also bring uncertainty. Therapies may pause, routines change, and for many families, summer is PCS season. While those transitions can be challenging, they also create an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming school year and make meaningful memories as a family. Whether your child already has an

Understanding Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) can help families better navigate conversations about behavior at school. When a child struggles with behavior in the classroom, parents may hear terms like FBA and a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). These can sound intimidating, but knowing what they mean can help parents advocate more effectively for their child. What Is a Functional Behavior Assessment? A Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) is a process used by schools

The Fourth of July can be overwhelming for children with sensory sensitivities due to loud noises, bright lights, and large crowds. Here are the key Fourth of July sensory sensitivity tips to help you prepare and make the day more enjoyable for your neurodivergent child. Do’s for Managing Fourth of July Sensory Sensitivity Plan and prepare your child by discussing what to expect, including crowds, fireworks, and bright lights. Bring noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to r

Preventing summer learning loss is a top concern for many families. This is especially true for parents of K–12 students with special needs. As a special education advocate, I work with parents throughout their child’s education. This topic comes up at every stage of the journey. Strategies to Keep Kids Engaged Over Summer Break How can you help your child stay prepared for the next school year while still enjoying the summer? It’s possible to do both. Over the years, friends

Recently, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I had the chance to sit down with two amazing colleagues who serve as school counselors. We talked about the many ways they support students and families, not just during May, but throughout the school year. Our conversation highlighted how deeply they care about encouraging children to have a voice, fostering relationships, and creating safe, supportive environments for all kids, especially those facing unique circumstance

April is the Month of the Military Child. To most people, it’s just another month celebrating something they are vaguely aware of, chalking it up to the same importance or unimportance as every other month. Who really remembers Blood Donor Awareness Month (January), Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month (November), or any causes brought to light each month? April and the Month of the Military Child are no different unless you’re like me and are acutely aware of the military chi

Honoring Achievements and Promoting Inclusion March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the strengths and achievements of individuals with developmental disabilities and encourage us to work together to create a more inclusive world. The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities highlights how individuals with and without disabilities contribute to building stronger communities. This campaign promotes inclusion in all areas

Military Life and the Emotional Toll of Parenting a Special Needs Child I'm unsure if it's even possible to describe the emotional toll that is put on the shoulders of special needs parents or caregivers in general. There is a physical and mental exhaustion that can only be understood by other special needs parents. As Jerry Maguire said, “It is an up-at-dawn, pride-swallowing siege that I will never fully tell you about, ok?” Military life is often full of unforeseen events

Raising a child with special needs can be a journey filled with both rewarding and challenging moments. As a parent, you may encounter skepticism and doubt from various sources, including medical professionals, educators, and even family members. However, trusting your instincts and advocating for your child is crucial. I want to share my personal experiences and provide guidance on navigating the complexities of seeking help for your special needs child, emphasizing the impo

Navigating Cancer and Deployment Reintegration Over four years ago, I was diagnosed with advanced Stage 3C breast cancer. It is a very aggressive form of breast cancer that spread beyond my breasts and lymph nodes. As if this wasn't hard enough, the diagnosis came two weeks after a very, very, very long COVID-19 deployment. My spouse came home to his entire world flipped upside down. Cancer came to add a little spice to our already salty life. Is this what the military meant

We understand the complexity and loneliness of navigating special education. Our new Special Education Military Family Parent Mentorship Program brings guidance, support, and a sense of belonging. It is designed to assist military families with children in special education.

The holiday season may present various sensory challenges for our neurodivergent children. As their advocates, our goal is to ensure they have an enjoyable holiday experience and feel supported in meeting their needs. To aid in achieving this, we've crafted a helpful checklist. 1. Create a Visual Holiday Schedule In school, our children do well with visual schedules, understanding where they’re going and what tasks to tackle. Imagine extending that helpful tool beyond the sch

The holiday season is upon us, and you're probably busy decorating your home in all its festive glory. As you prepare for the holidays, consider adding new traditions and holiday decor that cater to your family, especially for your children with special needs. Tailor Holiday Traditions for Your Family Let us help you incorporate ways to customize your family's holiday traditions, fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity that specifically accommodates and celebrates the unique

Partners in PROMISE created a comprehensive guide of special education resources for military families. We briefly describe each resource and encourage you to research further. It is our hope that these resources can continue to provide you with support as you navigate through your own unique journey. Please check out our blog for additional support and resources that our fearless leaders have compiled.

Partners in PROMISE released its findings on March 15, 2023, alongside panelists from Joining Forces, the Department of Defense’s Office of Special Needs, the Department of Education and civilian researchers from The Ohio State University and leaders from the disability community, like the Learning Disability Association of America. Watch the recording and see the Q&A.

Hello, Partners in PROMISE community! My name is Destiny Huff and I am an Army spouse of almost 10 years, a mother of two amazing boys, a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Special Education Parent Advocate! I began my journey as a Mental Health Professional over a decade ago and am excited to share some social-emotional books for military kids with you!

When it comes to being an advocate, I don’t believe we’re born. I think we’re–often reluctantly–created. Molded by our experiences, our failures, our triumphs and most importantly, by a deep desire to help our children. If you asked me in 2019, when my then four-year-old was diagnosed with autism, if I would be sitting here writing this, I would’ve laughed at the absurdity of it all. But three years later, here I am, a reluctant advocate.

For parents of special needs children, summer camp presents a big challenge for parents, students and camp providers. Partners in PROMISE guest blogger, special ed teacher and military spouse Jessica Monteverde, helps parents learn how to pick the right camp & how to keep kids on track all summer long.

As the world shut down for COVID-19 and nothing was normal, I discovered I had stage 3 breast cancer. After a seven-month deployment, my husband was out to sea on COVID-19 quarantine. I was home with three kids, trying to navigate the new reality. When I discovered a painful spot in my breast around Halloween, life was already upside down. My doctor evaluated me after Thanksgiving, and I was officially diagnosed with cancer after Christmas. I wasn't trying to delay my care. H

Some nonprofits call out leaders on Twitter. Some have a handle on hashtags. While others are breaking into TikTok. At Partners in PROMISE we are a fan of all of the above, but we also know the importance of individuals telling their own stories. We are here to elevate the voices of military families so you can tell your story. So when Meredith Flory reached out to us after her Tweet went viral we listened to her and worked with her to help her tell her own story, her way. W