STOMP is coming to Malmstrom

  • Published
  • By 341st Force Support Squadron
  • Airman and Family Readiness
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Did you know that one in 10 military children have special educational or healthcare needs? Many of these children may need an Individualized Education Program, commonly referred to as an IEP, or an Individual Family Service Plan.

The Specialized Training of Military Parents, or STOMP, 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 the Great Falls, Mont., area for a two-day workshop in the areas of Parent Rights and Responsibilities with regard to the Individuals with Disabilities Act, IEPs, both in the U.S. 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 a permanent change of station from place to place or face deployments," said Heather Hebdon, STOMP director. "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/medical issues. For more information about STOMP or to talk with one of their staff members, call 1-800-5-PARENT or visit their website at www.stompproject.org

STOMP will be at Malmstrom Air Force Base May 12 and 13 for a two-day workshop. The workshop will take place at the Grizzly Bend from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are a member of a military family with a child with special needs, an educator of children with special needs, or a professional that works with families and children with special needs then this training is for you.

To register for this workshop or for more information, please contact Dawn Beal or Desiree Gaines at the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 731-4900.