SNIAC provides care for special needs family members

  • Published
  • By Capt. Daniel Coleman
  • 22nd Medical Support Squadron
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Air Force special needs family members requiring medical or educational services can receive care through a program called the Special Needs Identification and Assignment Coordination. The SNIAC process is designed to ensure continuity of care for family members. 

The program helps families determine the availability of services for special needs members at their current base and before the relocate for a permanent change of station. 

These needs may include medical specialized care such as urology, neurology, psychiatry and developmental pediatrics. Educational special needs pertain to services the member needs to progress academically and are identified on an individualized education plan or individualized family service plan. 

The SNIAC process identifies family members requiring these services, enrolls the active-duty sponsor in the program and ensures services are available at current or future duty locations. 

Senior Airman Antoine Steele, a 22nd MDSS special needs coordinator at the base clinic, is available to assist families throughout the process. He provides families with referrals to community and base resources for support. Before families relocate, he provides them with contacts who can provide information about available resources at their new location. 

Enrollment in the program is mandatory for all special needs family members. A member's enrollment into SNIC will not affect the servicemember's promotion or eligibility to relocate, go on temporary duties or deploy. 

Airman Steele is contacting all enrolled members to update their information.
 
If a servicemember receives orders, cooperation and participation in this program can significantly enhance the PCS process. It can also alleviate assignment delays due to last-minute scheduling conflicts for medical clearances. 

For more information about the SNIAC process, please call Airman Steele at 759-5536.