COMDTINST 1754.7A
3.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. COMDTINST 1754.7 is cancelled.
4.
APPLICATION. This instruction applies to all Coast Guard personnel (active duty, civilian
and retired) having family members with special needs. Enrollment in this program is required
for all active duty members with family members with special needs.
5.
DISCUSSION.
a.
The Coast Guard Special Needs Program was developed and implemented in 1984 to
assist Coast Guard families with special needs and to address the unique challenges and
concerns which are above and beyond normal, military family life issues. The intent of
this program is to identify and support the special needs of the family member while
meeting the mission of the Coast Guard. Currently over 2000 Coast Guard families with
special needs have been identified and enrolled in the program. These active duty
members have successfully continued their careers, their family member's special needs
have been addressed and the integrity of the Coast Guard family has been enhanced.
b.
The Special Needs Program, in concert with other military and civilian agencies, provides
a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to enhance adequate medical, educational,
psychological and community support for family members with special needs. Services
are provided through relevant Work-Life staffs before, during and after reassignment.
Location and timing of an assignment involving members enrolled with special needs
families are given careful consideration by detailers and Commandant (G-PWL-2) for
availability of necessary resources and to permit the member to best continue a Coast
Guard career while meeting the mission needs of the Coast Guard.
c.
Enrollment in the Coast Guard Special Needs Program is required by active duty
personnel as a condition of employment. This will help ensure early identification of
families with special needs and maximize the provision of quality services to reduce
family stress and undue hardship while minimizing costly and disruptive Humanitarian
Assignment requests and early returns of dependents from outside of the continental
United States.
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