Blog Post: We are moving!

lumpialady11
Sep 28, 2024
6 min read

Welcome! In this post, I discuss our upcoming PCS (Permanent Change of Station), our experiences as an EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program) family, some resources military families and EFMP families are eligible for, and all the in-between.

You can scroll to the bottom to find resources related to this blog post.

Our PCS

Our orders came around late spring/early summer with a report date of October. Originally, we were supposed to go to Alaska! But due to our son's special needs, the military changed our orders to a larger city where his needs can be accommodated. The base in Alaska was too remote, and therapies for my son had waitlists up to a year or longer. Additionally, there is no developmental specialist at that base except for the other base that is a 6 hour drive away. I am grateful we are being moved to a different, larger base, but I am also a little bummed we'll miss out on the Alaskan adventures. But, as always, we'll make the best of where we are going! We went from the northern arctic to the southern tropics!

The change in orders came several weeks after our initial notification of orders. We thought it was Alaska for a while. I had already started prepping some things (getting the kids more winter clothes). Good thing I didn't go too far with all that. This is our first PCS as a family. I'm excited, slightly stressed, and anxious - a mix of emotions I'm sure my fellow military spouses can relate to.

Where and when are we moving?

We're saying goodbye to the midwest and saying hello to the southeast in October 2024! Yup, we leave in less than one month.

EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program)

As stated by Military One Source, EFMP is "a program that supports military families with special needs members" (Source: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/special-needs/efmp/). As I mentioned, EFMP helped determine we cannot move to Alaska because the area cannot accommodate our son's needs. For me, EFMP has been helpful. I didn't realize my daughter and I also qualified for EFMP until they reached out to us. The enrollment process was a bit lengthy and took a bit of paperwork. But overall, I am grateful for the program and the resources they offer.

Did you know if your child is over 3 years old, you qualify for discounted diapers/pullups through the mail? Yup. Based on rank and enrollment in Tricare Echo (this happened during our EFMP enrollment for our son), you can get your PCM (primary care manager) to send a prescription to Tricare. For us, we received two large sleeves of diapers plus 2 large sleeves of overnights in the mail for just $30.00. I was shocked! It is a huge money-saver for sure. Again, I'm super thankful for these resources especially because we are not starting potty-training until after we move.

PCS Child Care

Contact your Military Family Readiness Center to see if PCS child care is offered at your base. You should be eligible for when you are leaving and for when you're arriving to your new base. For us, we qualified for 20 hours of child care per child. I'm not 100% sure if that includes an additional 20 hours per child at our new base - something I am trying to find out now.

What's great is that it is free child care. What's tricky is that I was only given two providers, and only one of them had room for my children's age groups. She is also only available during evenings and weekends.

On another note, I've heard there is assistance/child care when you have an appointment to go to. They give you a certain amount of hours (I'm sure there is a limit), and you must give advanced notice of course. I'm not exactly familiar with this process and don't have a lot of information, but it is worth asking your Military Family Readiness Center.

Respite Care

Additionally, I have reached out to EFMP regarding respite care. Respite care provides free child care for EFMP families so you and/or your spouse can have a break to do whatever - appointments, dates, outings, or even just staying home, cleaning the house, or taking a nap. You must apply for it after enrolling in EFMP, and you must receive a certificate stating your LoN (Level of Need) Determination. Ours is level 3 and we were granted 40 hours per month for our son until March 2025. Then it is 20 hours per month. I was told siblings are eligible as well. However, I am still waiting to get approved for respite care (it's been about a month). So I doubt I will get it before we PCS. Hopefully, there will be availability where we move.

Finding therapies for our son

Luckily, the ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) company I am already utilizing also services the base we have orders to. I've already acquired a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), and I set up a meeting with her. I've also confirmed that she is able to visit our son's school to provide services there - another thing I've established before moving. I've been doing my best to stay on top of things. It's been a lot of work! Thankfully, there is a school on base 3 minutes from our house! I've already sent over his IEP (Individualized Education Plan) and talked to someone at the school to get his enrollment process started (physical form, immunizations records, etc.).

The Stress

I still have to find other providers for both of our kids, and since the base we are going to does not have a huge hospital, I will need to get referrals (we are Tricare Prime and require referrals to see specialists).

Hurricane season - not looking forward to evacuating and dealing with crazy weather, but it is what it is!

The heat - I am already melting in our Midwest summers. I am going to evaporate in the south!

Mosquitos - I've heard they're worse than anywhere else in the country. Even Alaska! From what I'm reading, I'm hoping that the $40.00 Avon bug spray with SPF I bought off Amazon will protect us!

Traffic - I hate driving in busy cities, so I'm probably going to loathe leaving base. But the good news is there is a Costco, Aldi, and Once Upon a Child in the area! All stores I love. Plus, there is an abundance of international grocery stores too! Good to know I can still find my aji amarillo, other Latin American products, and Asian staples.

Our Home

Home to me is wherever we have family. And thankfully, we will be moving closer to family! I'm looking forward to that for sure. I am excited to organize our new house and put out my fall decorations! It is a must for me. I only really decorate for fall and Christmas, honestly. Our house will be slightly smaller than what we have now, and it is among the oldest houses on the base. However, we seem to have a beautiful ocean view from our front door.

A very kind fellow military spouse went by our future house to take exterior and neighborhood photos for me! We'll be close to a playground which is great for the kids, and a dog park which will be great for our Shiba. There is a popular jogging trail along the water I am pretty excited about too. All great things to look forward to!

Other Updates

My husband leaves to report to the new base soon while the kids and I stay behind. I am so appreciative that my mom is able to visit us and stay with me to help with the kids and things while my husband is away. We've set up TMO (our movers) and TLF (temporary lodging). It's getting real ya'll.

I hope to get another recipe post out soon. I've been working on my lumpia recipe post, but haven't recorded a great deal of media for it yet. I'm excited for that project! Until then...

Look out for another future recipe post, and/or blog post. You can subscribe to stay up-to-date with me if you'd like or follow me on Facebook and Instagram! :-)

Much Love,

-La Lumpia Lady aka Christina