Fun Fact #29
As we commemorate Memorial Day at the end of May, and Flag Day, Veterans Day, and D-Day in June, it is an appropriate time to reflect on the direct advocacy for health, education, and human services provided by SPAN to families of Military-connected children and youth with disabilities and special healthcare needs through its   Military Family Support 360 Center @ Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst .

The Center assists active duty and retired Military and National Guard and Reserve personnel throughout New Jersey who have infants, toddlers, children, and youth ages birth to 26 with special needs by:
  • Developing a Family Plan to address concerns;
  • Assisting with access to Family Resources;
  • Offering Training Sessions on advocacy for accessing quality education, health, mental health, and other services;
  • Providing Family to Family emotional support and information; and
  • Linking to Leadership Opportunities to ensure the family voice in decisions about military assistance programs and services.
Compilation of 3 military families: one father, mother, child in front of an old airplane; one with mother in military uniform with two small children; one with pregnant woman and husband in fatigues with his head to her stomach, cradling the baby.
The dedicated staff of MFS-360 Navigators  include military parents and/or Military spouses who are intimately familiar with the struggles of supporting military households with children with disabilities. They help Military families access resources; get school evaluations and develop IEPs; find the right healthcare provider; keep their children safe from restraints and seclusion; identify child care or after-school programs; and navigate services through TriCare.

MFS-360 maintains a Facebook group of almost 600 members to share information and resources.
SPAN's Military Family Support 360 Center was established through funding from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Administration on Developmental Disabilities, part of the Administration for Children & Families. Funding is currently provided through SPAN's Parent Training and Information Center grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs. The on-going operation is contingent upon the donations and contributions of individuals like you.

We are thankful to all those who serve
and to you who help us support them,
Diana Autin & Debra Jennings
Co-Executive Directors