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Mission PROMISE: Navigating Special Education for Military Families

Mission PROMISE: Navigating Special Education for Military Families is a podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE. Partners and PROMISE is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the rights of military children in special education. Join us on our mission as we share stories, insights, and resources that can help military families navigate the world of special education.

Innovative Learning for All: A Purple Star School’s Approach

Welcome, listeners!

In this episode, our host, Carla Wyrsch, speaks with guests Judy Jankowski, Ed.D and Tara Miner. 

Dr. Judy Jankowski has dedicated her 40-year career to serving exceptional learners of all kinds, including LD students, those with social/emotional challenges, and twice-exceptional learners who are gifted and have a learning difference. Dr. Jankowski is responsible for the health and safety of students and families, finance, fundraising, facilities, hiring and professional development at CBA. Dr. J, as she is known to her students, is Community Faculty at Eastern Virginia Medical School and serves on non-profit boards across the region. She has received multiple honors including the Woman of Distinction award by the local YWCA in the Community Champion category (2020), and a Klingenstein Fellowship at the College of Education at Columbia University (2020).    Tara Miner is the Director of CadetNet Virtual Academy and a dedicated educator specializing in social studies and language arts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Arts degree from New York University.    We want to thank our sponsor, Naval Officers' Spouses' Club - Washington DC, for their support of exceptional military families.  

Learn more about Partners in PROMISE Resources:

If you or a family member is in need of mental health support, contact Military OneSource for a free consultation.

Follow us:

Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE

Instagram - @partnersinpromise

LinkedIn - @partners-in-promise

Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1

Website - www.thepromiseact.org

 

Published on: March 20, 2025
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Transitioning from High School - Things to Know

Welcome, listeners!

On this episode, our host, Mary Monrose, speaks with guest Michelle Norman about the nuances of transitioning from high school and all of the things that you need to know to best prepare your child, yourself, and your family. Remember, we are here for you! 

Learn more about Partners in PROMISE Resources:

If you or a family member is in need of mental health support, contact Military OneSource for a free consultation.

We want to thank our presenting sponsors, USAA Foundation, for their support of exceptional military families.

Follow us:

Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE

Instagram - @partnersinpromise

LinkedIn - @partners-in-promise

Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1

Website - www.thepromiseact.org

 

Published on: October 15, 2024
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DHA/Tricare-What EFMP Families Need to Know

Welcome, listeners! Join us as we have rebranded and have a new name:

Mission PROMISE: Navigating Special Education for Military Families

In this episode, our host, Mary Monrose, speaks with guest Krystyna Bienia, Psy.D. 

Dr. Bienia is a clinical psychologist and a senior policy analyst for the Defense Health Agency (DHA) in the Medical Affairs Directorate in Falls Church, VA. She has extensive knowledge of empirically supported medical and behavioral treatments used in primary and specialty care settings. She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University/Washington, D.C., and currently maintains a private practice providing evidence-based mental health services.   Dr. Bienia serves as the DHA program manager for the Complex Pediatric Clinical Community and is the clinical program lead supporting the TRICARE Health Plans for the rapidly evolving Autism Care Demonstration, where she implements clinical expertise in program development and oversight for a program that significantly impacts overall Military readiness. She has over ten years of experience working directly with beneficiaries diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as their families and other healthcare providers. Dr. Bienia was involved in the Department of Defense publication of the Final Rule in 2016: “TRICARE: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment,” which contained comprehensive revisions to the TRICARE regulation for mental health and SUD treatment for all TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries. She participated in the overhaul of the TRICARE Program Manual changes that implemented the sweeping rulemaking changes. Dr. Bienia also worked at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in the Adult Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic until 2013, when she came over to DHA.   TRICARE Links:

Learn more about Partners in PROMISE Resources:

If you or a family member is in need of mental health support, contact Military OneSource for a free consultation.

Follow us:

Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE

Instagram - @partnersinpromise

LinkedIn - @partners-in-promise

Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1

Website - www.thepromiseact.org

 

 

 

Published on: October 1, 2024
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EFMP and Special Education Legal Assistance

Welcome, listeners! Join us as we have rebranded and have a new name:

Mission PROMISE: Navigating Special Education for Military Families

In this episode, our host, Mary Monrose, speaks with guest Blair Matsumoto, the Legal Assistance EFMP Attorney for Navy Region Southwest, which encompasses navy installations in San Diego County, El Centro, Ventura, Lemoore, Seal Beach, China Lake, Monterey, and Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada. He is an active licensed attorney in California with inactive law licenses in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Mr. Matsumoto has extensive experience in higher education and education law. He was in the general counsel’s office for DC Public schools, served as outside counsel for public and charter schools, and was a full-time professor and Director of Bar Preparation and Academic Success for a law school in California. He feels privileged to be able to assist military families with special education and disability-related challenges and looks forward to growing the EFMP Special Education Program so that it can serve Naval families with special needs dependents wherever enlisted and officer personnel are stationed in service of our great nation.

Links mentioned in the episode: 

Learn more about Partners in PROMISE Resources:

If you or a family member is in need of mental health support, contact Military OneSource for a free consultation.

Follow us:

Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE

Instagram - @partnersinpromise

LinkedIn - @partners-in-promise

Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1

Website - www.thepromiseact.org

 

 

Published on: September 17, 2024
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DoDEA - Navigating the system

Welcome, listeners! Join us as we have rebranded and have a new name:

Mission PROMISE: Navigating Special Education for Military Families

In this episode, our host, Mary Monrose, speaks with guest Meg Flanagan - Meg Flanagan Solutions, LLC, Educator and Advocate. We discuss the DoDEA system and your rights. Remember, we are here for you! 

Links mentioned in the episode: 

DODM 1342.12: https://content.dodea.edu/teach_learn/student_services/sped/companion_files/docs/134212m.pdf

Parent Right & Procedural Safeguards: https://dodea.widen.net/s/nmqwsq89qf/englishDODM Companion Manual: https://content.dodea.edu/teach_learn/student_services/sped/companion_07122017/files/assets/common/downloads/publication.pdf

Another version of the Parent SPED Guide: https://navyjapanschoolinfo.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/max-268_parentguide_12-13-2.pdf

Info for teachers about DODEA SPED: https://content.dodea.edu/VS/HS/dvhs_faculty_handbook_rev/sped.html

Learn more about Partners in PROMISE Resources:

If you or a family member is in need of mental health support, contact Military OneSource for a free consultation.

We want to thank our presenting sponsors, USAA Foundation, for their support of exceptional military families.

Follow us:

Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE

Instagram - @partnersinpromise

LinkedIn - @partners-in-promise

Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1

Website - www.thepromiseact.org

 

 

Published on: May 14, 2024
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Partners in PROMISE Bill of Rights - What are they?i

Welcome, listeners! Join us as we have rebranded and have a new name:

Mission PROMISE: Navigating Special Education for Military Families

In this episode, our host, Mary Monrose, speaks with guest Destiny Huff, MS, LPC., a Neuroaffirming IEP Coach, Advocate, Educational Consultant, and Social Media Manager for Partners in PROMISE. We discuss the basics of Partners in PROMISE's Bill of Rights. Remember, we are here for you! 

Learn more about Partners in PROMISE Resources:

If you or a family member is in need of mental health support, contact Military OneSource for a free consultation.

We want to thank our presenting sponsors, USAA Foundation, for their support of exceptional military families.

Follow us:

Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE

Instagram - @partnersinpromise

LinkedIn - @partners-in-promise

Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1

Website - www.thepromiseact.org

Published on: April 9, 2024
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IEPs and the Importance of Data Collection

Welcome, listeners! Join us as we have rebranded and have a new name:

Mission PROMISE: Navigating Special Education for Military Families

In this episode, our host, Mary Monrose, speaks with guest Grace E. Kim, Esq., of The Law Office of Grace E. Kim, P.C. and Founder & President of the Executive Board for Partners in PROMISE about data collection and IEPs. Remember, we are here for you! 

Learn more about Partners in PROMISE Resources:

If you or a family member is in need of mental health support, contact Military OneSource for a free consultation.

We want to thank our presenting sponsors, USAA Foundation, for their support of exceptional military families.

Follow us:

Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE

Instagram - @partnersinpromise

LinkedIn - @partners-in-promise

Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1

Website - www.thepromiseact.org

 

 

Published on: March 12, 2024
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