Protecting the rights of military children in special education is what Partners in PROMISE is all about. Michelle Norman, who founded the organization in 2020 and serves as its executive director, spoke with MOAA ahead of TotalForce+. The inaugural people-focused event, which runs Oct. 28-29, will explore ways to support military families with special needs.

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“When a servicemember’s family experiences a high quality of life and is not constantly stressed about their child’s health or education, the servicemember can focus more fully on the mission. This leads to greater readiness and a stronger, more capable force,” she said.

This interview was edited for length and clarity.

Q. What excites you about TotalForce+?

A. At Partners in PROMISE, we are dedicated to supporting military families with special needs. TotalForce+ is the only conference that focuses on the people who serve or have served, as well as their families. By participating in TotalForce+, we believe we can amplify the voices of military families with special needs and the unique challenges they face in special education; educate leaders on data-driven solutions; and strengthen our network of partners with other military and veterans service organizations.

Q. What message will your organization bring to TotalForce+ attendees?

A. Military families with children in special education often face significant disruptions during PCS moves, leading to gaps in services and support. Our message is clear: Strong families lead to a strong force. They need to know they are not alone and that organizations like Partners in PROMISE exist to make sure these home-front warriors with unique needs who want to continue to serve are supported.

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Q. What challenges are you eager for TotalForce+ to tackle?

A. We’re eager to address the systemic issues that lead to inconsistent support for military children with disabilities during transitions. This includes the need for improved research, enhanced enforcement of existing policies, better coordination between military services and educational institutions, and increased awareness among families about their rights and available resources in special education.

[MOAA CHANGEMAKERS: Michelle Norman]

Q. What efforts are taking place at the state and local levels to protect the rights of military children in special education?

A. Some states and school districts are making great strides by appointing military spouses to the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) and local school boards, improving their coordination with the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) and school liaison officers across the service branches, and introducing extra protections in their state policies that ease the transition for students with individualized education programs, such as New Jersey and Virginia.

However, these efforts are not uniform across the country. One of our roles involves advocating for the consistent implementation of the legislation provisions and best practices that genuinely help military families with special needs.

Q. What can individual educators do to fill the gap in resources for special education?

A. Educators play a crucial role in supporting military families. By familiarizing themselves with existing military supports, understanding the unique challenges and documented delays in support that children with individualized education programs face, and knowing what MIC3 can and cannot do, they can proactively address potential issues during transitions.

Open communication with families, collaboration with EFMP coordinators and school liaison officers, and a commitment to support these military children can make a significant difference in ensuring these students receive the services they require without interruption.