STOMP program provides special needs training Published Nov. 8, 2012 By Keeselr School Liaison Officer KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Did you know that 1 in 10 military children have special educational or healthcare needs? Many of these children may need an individualized education program, or if younger, and in birth to three programs, and individual family service plan? Others may need a 504 or accommodations plan. The Specialized Training of Military Parents, is an organization dedicated solely to address the needs of military families who have family members with special medical or educational needs. STOMP will be in your area for a two day workshop in the areas of parent rights and responsibilities with regard to the Individuals with Disabilities Act, IEPs, 504, TRICARE and ECHO, DODEA System (both in the continental United States and overseas) and more. Special emphasis is placed on collaboration and communication between families and the professionals who support them. "We have a special understanding of the challenges families face when they have a family member with disabilities or special needs and they have to (permanently change station) from place to place or face deployments," stated Heather Hebdon, the Director for STOMP. "Our staff members have family members with disabilities and we have all dealt with the challenges and joys that come with military life." STOMP is a parent-directed program that exists to empower military parents, individuals with disabilities and service providers with knowledge, skills and resources so that they might access services to create a collaborative environment for family and professional partnerships without regard to geographic location. Established in 1985, STOMP has been recognized as the premiere resource for families within the military who have children, youth and adult family members who have disabilities and other special education or medical issues. For more information about STOMP or to talk with one of their staff members, call 1-800-5-PARENT or visit www.stompproject.org. STOMP will be at Keesler Dec. 3-4 for a two-day workshop. The workshop will take place in the Bay Breeze Event Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To register for the workshop or for more information, call 228-376-8728.