1. EFMP Connections
MCAS Cherry Point - Family Care Progams January 2013
Thinking About How to Make the Most of 2013?
Each year, many of us make a resolution to lose weight, get out of
debt, quit smoking, or be less stressed. And while those goals are as
admirable as they are popular, less than half of us will actually stick
to these goals six months later. So why do our resolutions fail?
Researchers have found that we are more likely to quit a task when
we feel overwhelmed by it. Therefore, rather than setting ourselves
up for failure and disappointment, they recommend we make reso-
lutions that are realistic and ones that can actually be kept. Lower-
ing our expectations so we can say “I did it!” can be very reward-
ing. In fact, regular minor accomplishments – “small wins” – con-
tribute more to happiness than occasional big ones. After all, with
consistency, doing a little bit goes a long way!
Tiny/individual resolutions you may make:
“I will eat less fried food this year.”
“I will place all my loose change in a jar at the end of the day.”
“I will smile a little more this year.”
Cherry Point’s Exceptional Family Member Program is also making some simple changes in 2013 to
improve our service delivery.
First, we are asking for your feedback. We’ve developed a quick survey that contains questions about
our program and the services we offer. Please take a moment, click on the link and answer all of the
survey questions honestly. The feedback you provide will offer us insight into your needs and will
help us determine if our initiatives are making a difference or whether we need to make changes. Link
to survey: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e6kr152qh8xcpu1z/start
Second, we will be offering new workshops on a monthly basis. Topics we
will present include: “How to Be an Effective Advocate”, “Simple, Fun,
Effective Parenting”, “Individualized Education Plans: What To Expect”,
and “How to Support Siblings of Special Needs Children”. We would ap-
preciate your input on these training ideas and welcome any suggestions for
future presentations.
Finally, we will update our resource list and ensure that everyone will have
access to information about local service agencies and community events.
Upon completion, this resource list will be posted on our website.
We Need Your Feedback!
What would you like to see in our next Cherry Point EFMP Connections newsletter? Do you have any article ideas or fa-
vorite recipes you would like to submit? If so, email Bieleckijk@usmc-mccs.org or call 252.466.3305.
Also, let us know if you have any suggestions or requests for a family event or a workshop topic. We are here to serve you
and we want to meet your family’s needs!
2. Upcoming Events
Thursday 3 January—Social Group for Adults EFMs—1000; Please take advantage of this relaxed social oppor-
tunity to network with other adults who are experiencing similar situations.
Tuesday 8 January—EFMP Social Group—Please join us at Joe’s Coffeehouse on base between 1000 and 1200. It
is a great way to meet other adults, learn about various local services, and enjoy a cup of coffee.
Tuesday 8 January—Special Olympics at the Commissary—1100 - 1330. Events include turkey bowling, shop-
ping cart races and a scavenger hunt followed by a run with the Marines. Do you know someone who may want to
participate? If so please contact Phyllis Black at phyllis.black@deca.mil for more information.
Tuesday 8 January—Basic Budgeting—1330 to 1530 at the T&E Building. Provides individuals the know how to
develop a personal budget, to reach indentified short & long range goals, a system to pay bills on time & evaluate the
personal budget to spend less & save/invest more. Call 466-4201 to sign up.
Wednesday 9 January—Plan Your Move—0900 to 1100 at the T&E Building. You will get all the information you
need to know to make a smooth move to your next duty station. This seminar will provide information on the constant-
ly changing benefits and allowances related to PCSing.
Thursdays 10, 17, 24 & 31 January— Couples Communication—1300 to 1430 at Building 87. An interactive and
engaging 4 part workshop focusing on enhancing communication skills, fighting fairly, and meeting your partner’s
needs.
Thursday 11 January—Links for Spouses—0830 to 1630. Program designed to teach participants about the benefits,
resources, and services that are available to military service members and their dependents.
Wednesday 23 January—EFMP Quarterly Forum—1000 at T&E Building, room 156; An opportunity for EFMP
families to receive information from and to ask questions of advisory forum representatives.
Thursday 31 January—EFMP Sensory Story Time—1030 at the Station Library. Puppets, singing, dancing, yoga,
and a story. A great library experience for all children but it can be especially beneficial for children with ASD,
ADHD, and other sensory processing issues.
Do You Need Legal Assistance?
Families enrolled in the EFMP have access to free legal services to address issues related to special needs.
These issues include:
1. Explaining the SSI process (application, denial, reconsideration and appeals procedures) as well as answering ques-
tions about Medicaid and SSDI.
2. Special education questions and actual representation against any school system in the State of North Carolina. This
includes IEP team meetings, manifestation hearings, and due process hearings at the state level. Also, filing state com-
plaints, letter writing, requesting school files, etc.
3. Legal guardianship (the parent's child is turning 18 and the child cannot care for themselves and needs a legal guardi-
an)
4. Drafting of third party special needs trusts.
5. ADA accommodations questions.
The EFMP Attorney cannot represent parents against DOD schools although he/she can answer their questions about
their legal rights and help them problem-solve. The EFMP Attorney also cannot appear in a Social Security case be-
cause it is a federal government agency but can give legal advice and assist with forms or
referrals to other attorneys.
Ms. Vickie O’Brien is the Attorney for the EFMP Marine Corps Installation East. She
will be at Cherry Point’s Quarterly Forum on Wednesday, January 23rd to answer ques-
tions and provide additional information about this service.
If you are an Exceptional Family Member and need legal advice concerning special edu-
cation or other disability related issues, please call Vickie O'Brien, Civilian Counsel for
Exceptional Family Members at 910-451-9730 or email her at Vickie.obrien@usmc.mil.
3. De-Clutter Your Life
The holidays are over and left behind is a jumble
of boxes, wrapping paper, decorations, and stuff!
At my house, there is STUFF everywhere! Even
the normally “neat” areas are now cluttered and
chaotic. The holiday prep work, the shopping,
wrapping, and decorating looks less “festive”
than what it had just days before and the clutter
seems to drain my energy. I feel myself grow-
ing overwhelmed and stressed when I walk into
the living room and I am constantly irritated be-
cause I cannot find my things. My children seem
to be affected by the disorganization, too. I have 3) Find a “home” for the new items. Having a
noticed an increase in temper tantrums and I “home” for each item makes clean-up easier and
wonder if the bad behavior is due to their inabil- it also promotes independence for children.
ity to focus. They may be as sensitive to their Keeping things neatly organized in separate con-
environment as I am. tainers, instead of thrown in a closet, will help
This “sensitivity” is common to many them last longer and decrease the amount of bro-
individuals with special needs, including those ken or lost pieces. Ziploc bags can be used to
with sensory processing disorders, attention defi- secure small, loose items, such as puzzle pieces,
cits, autism spectrum disorders, motor planning beads, and pegs. Craft items, such as crayons,
difficulties, etc. The stress caused by clutter and scissors, and glue, stay neatly organized in a pen-
inconsistency may be enormous. Thus, the bene- cil box or even in a fishing tackle organizer,
fits of getting organized may be equally signifi- which has adjustable compartments to accommo-
cant. date various-sized items. Containers can also
Here are some tips on how to recover provide opportunities for fine motor develop-
from holiday clutter. ment, as the child must open containers, manipu-
1) Clean out what you already have. Before late latches, and “zip” the Ziploc bag.
you put away any new items, you’ll want to 4) Make organizing “easy” with labels. Many
make sure you take control of what you already children are visual learners and benefit from vis-
have. Go through the items in your home and set ual systems or organization. You can create your
aside anything that you and your kids may have own visual labels by using a photograph of each
grown out of or will no longer use. If you haven’t toy (or category of toys). Take a picture of the
used or worn an item in the last year then you desired item(s), print on cardstock (a 1”x1”
should seriously consider letting it go. Find a works well), laminate, and add sticky-back Vel-
local donation center in your area to donate these cro to adhere it to the toy and shelf. In addition,
items and clear the way for new things. Talk to handwritten labels are easily created and promote
your kids about giving to those less fortunate. letter/word recognition for reading development.
Passing on your unused items to those less fortu- There are many advantages to being or-
nate than yourself is a great way to start the New ganized that include reduced stress, saving time,
Year! and working more efficiently. You can teach
2) Don’t feel obligated to hang onto unwanted your child valuable daily living skills by actively
presents. Things you won’t use or don’t need are involving them in the process. Personal organiza-
clutter. It’s okay to exchange them for things you tion is a skill which needs to be practiced and is a
will use. If something can’t be exchanged, you skill which lasts a lifetime.
can pass it on to someone who would enjoy it.
4. COOK’S CORNER
TORTELLINI SOUP RECI PE
INGREDIENTS
4-1/2 cups chicken broth
1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 can (15 ounces) white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup chopped fresh tomato
1/3 to 1/2 cup shredded fresh basil
1 to 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Add tortellini; cook for 7-9 minutes or until tender.
Stir in the beans, tomato and basil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Add the vinegar, salt and
pepper. Serve with cheese. Yield: 6 servings.
Free Online Tutoring and Homework Help
for Students in U.S. Military Families
The Tutor.com for Military Families program helps students
of all skill levels—from elementary to advanced—in more
than 16 subjects in math, science, social studies and English.
Tutor.com is especially beneficial for students in grades K-12
who need help with schoolwork when a parent is deployed
or when moving and changing schools.
www.tutor.com/military
Cherry Point EFMP Staff
Office Hours:
Program Manager 0730 until 1630; Monday through Friday
Eva Miller 252.466.4867 We are located in Building 286, across from the Mess
Family Case Workers Hall on 4th Ave.
Leafa Palmer 252.466.2568
Donna Young 252.466.2568
Training Education and Outreach
JoAnne Bielecki 252.466.7533
Administrative Assistant
Lisa Sadler 252.466.3305
