Workshops and Webinars 

STOMP provides a range of learning opportunities tailored to military families, including virtual workshops spanning multiple days, two-day in-person workshops, and 90-minute webinars covering a variety of topics. Our goal is to strengthen connections and knowledge among military families. Some of the topics covered include Parents Rights and Responsibilities in Achieving Education Services (IDEA, IFSP, IEP, IEP Teams, and 504), Advocacy, TRICARE/ECHO/ABA, PCS Tips, and Transition Planning (Post Secondary Education, Employment, Independent Living).

All STOMP instructors are military affiliated with EFMP family members!

STOMP workshops and webinars are open to all military connected families! You do not need to be on active duty or located/stationed at the installation that is hosting.

2024 STOMP Live Virtual Workshops:

STOMP furnishes information in accordance with federal guidelines and laws. Every online live workshop is scheduled for a duration of two hours, with an additional hour allocated for addressing specific questions or facilitating breakout sessions to discuss your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Please note, you do not have to be located/ stationed at hosting installation to attend. Simply click on the installation and register.

Installation Hosting Workshop Click on installation to register.	Dates and Times All dates are subject to change. Click on the time convert to your local time zone.
Fort Jackson Workshops based on Eastern Standard Time	11:30am – 1:30pm EST February 7: Pathways to Military Medical & Medicaid Benefits for Exceptional Families February 14: Sound the Cadence: Raising Voices in Advocacy February 21:Accommodations Across the Lifespan: Section 504 Plans February 28: Demystifying Key Components of an IEP
Redstone Arsenal Workshops based on Central Standard Time	3:00pm – 5:00pm CST February 8: Overview of IDEA, IFSP, IEP, & Other Parts and Special Factors February 15: Writing SMART Goals: Developing a User-Friendly IEP Anyone Could Follow February 22: Transition Plans are part of the IEP February 29: Financial “Dependent” Planning for a Childs Financial Stability
Fort Knox Workshops based on Eastern Standard Time	12:00pm – 2:00pm EST March 14:Overview of IDEA, IFSP, IEP, & Other Parts and Special Factors March 18:Pathways to Military Medical & Medicaid Benefits for Exceptional Families March 20:Accommodations Across the Lifespan: Section 504 Plans March 21:Sound the Cadence: Raising Voices in Advocacy
Fort Eisenhower (formally Ft. Gordon) Workshops based on Eastern Standard Time!	3:00pm – 5:00pm EST April 2:Demystifying Key Components of an IEP April 4: Decoding the Data April 16:Pathways to Military Medical & Medicaid Benefits for Exceptional Families April 29:Financially “Dependent” Planning for a Child’s Financial Stability
Fort Moore (formally Ft. Benning) Workshops based on Eastern Standard Time!	12:00pm – 2:00pm EST April 30:Understanding IDEA: Overview of IFSPs, IEPs, & Special Factors May 2:Pathways to Military Medical & Medicaid Benefits for Exceptional Families May 7: Section 504 Plans May 9:Demystifying Key Components of an IEP

STOMP Workshop Topic Descriptions:

Sound the Cadence: Raising Voices in Advocacy Advocacy requires knowing your rights, the decision-makers, and those who will partner with you in your efforts.  This discussion will identify the importance of advocacy, how to effectively advocate across settings, those who will add their voices to your efforts, and the key role of self-care for advocates.

Dispute Resolution: Orders and Chain of Command for Resolving Conflicts Much like military orders and chain of command, the dispute resolution process includes regulations and instructions.  In this discussion we will identify the options for dispute resolution, from the least to the most adversarial.

Effective Communication: In depth session on effective communication to include the emotions to advocacy, military approach vs civilian approach and how they translate. Communicating military challenges to civilian program appropriately.

Financial “Dependent” Planning for a Childs Financial Stability We will explore options to plan for your dependents financial future and stability through nationwide programs and tools, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), the ABLE Act, and Special Needs Trusts.

The Great IDEA of Education Services: Parents Rights in Four Parts 1. Understanding IDEA, Overview of IFSPs, IEPs, & Special Factors: This session will include components such as IFSPs (Individualized Family Service Plans), IEPs (Individualized Education Programs), and other special factors. Gain insights into creating effective plans, addressing unique needs, and ensuring compliance with IDEA regulations. 2. Decoding the Data: Building Blocks to the IEP, BIP, and Assistive Technology Evaluation data drive IEP goals, which drive services and supports.  Building foundational knowledge of data reporting methods used in educational evaluation results, this interactive discussion will prepare parents to participate in discussions regarding interventions and supports, including Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) and Assistive Technology.

Student-Led IEPs: Developing and Supporting Self-Advocacy Exploring levels of student-participation in the IEP process as a means of developing self-advocacy skills.  This detailed discussion will include participation options by developmental ability, resources, and best practices for developing student self-advocacy, and tools for parent engagement and participation in student-led IEPs.

Pathways to Military Medical & Medicaid Benefits for Exceptional Families Charting the steps for accessing TRICARE, Extended Care Health Option (ECHO), and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) benefits.  This discussion will include how, why, and where to apply for Secondary Dependency and Medicaid.

Components of and IEP 1. Demystifying Key Components of an IEP In this interactive discussion, we will identify and map out IDEA-required elements of an IEP.  Using examples, participants will learn best practices for developing an IEP and monitoring progress, including best practices and an introduction to SMART goals. 2. Writing SMART Goals: Developing a User-Friendly IEP Anyone Could Follow Interactive discussion and application of SMART goal concepts, including collaborative writing and analyzing examples of SMART goals for primary school, middle school, and high school.

Accommodations Across the Lifespan 1. Section 504 Plans: We will discuss what is a 504 plan, the accommodations and supports and how does it apply to post-secondary education and employment. 2. Transition Plans are part of the IEP:  Transition plans are required for all students with an IEP by age 16. We will explore what a transition plan can look like with goals for post-secondary education, employment, and independent living.

EmpowerEd Webinar Series – Essential Knowledge for Navigating Systems

Each webinar is 90 minutes. Webinars are accessible to participants in all time zones and will be recorded for later viewing on demand. Registered attendees can access the recordings for up to two weeks following the scheduled webinar.

Time: 11am PT/ 12pm MT/ 1pm CT/ 2pm ET

February 20 Discover TRICARE’s Big Three: Basic Plans, ECHO, and ABA The webinar “Discover TRICARE’s Big Three: Basic Plans, ECHO, and ABA!” aims to provide information and insights into the three primary components of the TRICARE healthcare system. It will cover the Basic Plans, which are essential healthcare coverage options for military members and their families, along with an explanation of the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO), designed to support eligible family members with specific medical or developmental needs. Additionally, the webinar will delve into Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapies available through TRICARE for children with autism spectrum disorder. Attendees can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of these vital components and how they contribute to the well-being of military families.

February 27 The S.M.A.R.T in IEP The webinar “The S.M.A.R.T. in IEP” focuses on supporting military families with children who have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). It aims to provide strategies and insights to help military families navigate the IEP process effectively. The acronym S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, highlighting key aspects of setting goals within an IEP. By attending this webinar, military families can learn how to ensure that their child’s IEP goals are tailored to their unique needs, measurable, attainable, relevant to their education, and set within a specific timeframe.

March 19 Unlocking 504 The webinar “Unlocking 504” is dedicated to supporting military families with valuable information and guidance regarding Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This webinar aims to help families understand the rights and accommodations available under Section 504 for their children in educational settings. By attending this webinar, military families can learn how to navigate the process of unlocking the potential benefits of Section 504, ensuring that their children receive the necessary accommodations to thrive academically and beyond.

March 26 Accessing Assistive Technology Solutions The webinar “Accessing Assistive Technology Solutions” is designed to assist military families in understanding and accessing available assistive technology resources. This webinar aims to provide practical guidance on identifying, acquiring, and utilizing assistive technology tools to support children with disabilities or special needs. Attendees will learn about a variety of assistive technology solutions tailored to educational and everyday life contexts, empowering military families to enhance their children’s learning experiences and overall quality of life.

April 9 I’m the “I” in IEP The webinar “I’m the ‘I’ in IEP” is dedicated to assisting military families in understanding and advocating for their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). With a focus on empowering parents and caregivers, this webinar aims to provide insights and strategies for active participation in the IEP process. Attendees will learn about their crucial role as the “I” in their child’s IEP, including how to effectively communicate their child’s strengths, needs, and goals to the IEP team. By attending this webinar, military families can gain confidence in navigating the IEP process and advocating for the best possible educational outcomes for their child.

April 23 Financially “Dependent” The webinar “Financially ‘Dependent’: SSI, ABLE Act, and Special Needs Trust” is tailored to support military families with dependents who have disabilities. This webinar aims to provide valuable information and guidance on navigating financial assistance programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, and special needs trusts. Attendees will learn about eligibility criteria, application processes, and the benefits offered by each of these programs. By attending this webinar, families can gain a deeper understanding of the financial resources available to support their dependents with disabilities empowering them to make informed decisions about their financial future.

May 21 Don’t Stress this PCS The webinar “Don’t Stress the PCS is specifically tailored to support military families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) during the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) process. With a focus on addressing the unique needs and challenges of EFMP families, this webinar aims to provide practical guidance and resources to navigate the PCS transition smoothly. By attending this webinar, EFMP families can gain valuable insights and strategies to minimize stress while prioritizing the well-being of their family members.

Other links for the STOMP Program: