Special needs - a lifetime plan Published Feb. 3, 2010 Airman and Family Readiness Center MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- When a family welcomes a baby with special needs into their home, it is a life changing event. The road ahead is full of uncertainties and consists of a lifetime of planning for the needs the new family member faces. Thinking ahead and being proactive is essential for families of children with special needs. There are many considerations when it comes to planning for a child with special needs. John W. Nadworny and Cynthia R. Haddad in their book titled, The Special Needs Planning Guide, identify five key areas to concentrate on when devising a plan. The key areas are: financial, legal, government benefits, emotional, family and support. It is important for military families to know that they are not alone and that there are many service agencies both on- and off- base to help them along the way. The Airman and Family Readiness Center is available to help families with information and referrals. Families are encouraged to visit www.5thForceSupport.com then proceed to the AFRC webpage to find a section dedicated to special needs. Minot AFB has recently created a special needs committee which consists of various professionals representing agencies on base and within the Minot community. Additionally, the committee is comprised of parents of family members with special needs and is open to anyone who wishes to attend. During these meetings, committee members discuss topics believed to be vital for families of a child with special needs. Ms. Cheryl Vedvig, chairperson of the committee and a community readiness consultant with the AFRC stated, "We are making plans to offer various trainings and are determining how to best reach out to military families, but we need input from them so we can better meet their needs." The AFRC works closely with the 5th Medical Group Exceptional Family Member Program and the Special Needs Identification Assignment Coordinator to ensure families are being helped to the fullest. During the last meeting, a speaker from the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities at Minot State University discussed ways in which NDCPD helps persons with disabilities as well as their families. Mrs. Tracey Abbott also shared valuable resource information to assist families with meeting the needs of their loved ones with disabilities. "As a spouse of a military member, I understand the needs of military families and how vital it is to have a source in which to acquire community information and resources that may be beneficial," Abbott said. NDCPD currently has 29 projects aimed at increasing the inclusion, integration, independence, and productivity of people who have disabilities in all aspects of community life, making life better for persons with disabilities as well as their families. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, autism, early infant development and employment outcomes of persons with disabilities. NDCPD operates primarily on external funding from grants and contracts. If you want to learn more about the NDCPD and how they may be able to assist, please contact 701-858-3356. For further questions or to provide input, contact the AFRC at 723-3950.