Article Display

EFMP helps military families find children with special needs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Jeffers
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The 20th Force Support Squadron's Exceptional Family Member Program held a child find clinic and community resources awareness fair here, Sept. 21.

"The overall purpose of this event is to screen children between 2 and a half to 21 who are not currently enrolled in the public school system and identify kids with special needs," said Jerome 'JC' Brown, 20th FSS EFMP director. "Once we identify the special needs, we then introduce the kid to resources to improve their quality of life."

The clinic screened children's vision, hearing, speech, and developmental skills for deficiencies.

"If we identify the special needs, then we can give them the resources to address it," said Brown.

"We are trying to catch these special needs situations, whether they are medical or educational, as early as possible in the developmental stages," he continued. "That is because the earlier you introduce the child to resources that address the special needs, the needs are then able to be better managed. Some folks actually grow out of their special needs because of the services (provided to them)."

Along with a clinic to screen children for special needs, there was a carnival which included demonstrations from the 20th Security Forces Squadron's Military Working Dog unit, a bouncy castle, children's games and various mascots like Sparky the Fire Dog. There were also many vendors from the base and the Sumter community who had resources to offer to families with special needs.

"Everyone was really friendly and they watched over the kids," said Jasmine Almanza