APRIL IS
MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD
| | |
April is recognized as the Month of the Military Child. A time to honor and celebrate the vital role military children play within the armed forces community. Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, this month highlights the resilience of military families and acknowledges the sacrifices and challenges their children experience.
ECAC is proud to join the Department of Defense and the broader military community in recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child. In this special edition newsletter, we spotlight North Carolina’s military children with disabilities and special healthcare needs, along with their families.
| |
|
Greetings from Triahnna Miles, Military Outreach Parent Educator at ECAC
My name is Triahnna Miles, and I am the Military Outreach Parent Educator at the Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC). For those I have not yet had the pleasure of working with, I’m honored to introduce myself and share a bit about my background and passion for supporting military-connected families. I have been with ECAC for nearly three years, focusing on helping families navigate the often complex systems of special education, healthcare, and community supports that are critical to their children’s success.
This work is deeply personal to me. I am the wife of a medically retired service member and a proud mother of three young adults—Troy, Vaisya, and Triniti. Like many military families, we have experienced frequent transitions and the challenges that come with starting over in new communities. When we first arrived in North Carolina, we did not plan to stay. However, during a high-risk pregnancy with our youngest, we quickly found ourselves learning how to navigate unfamiliar systems of care and support. That experience shaped my commitment to ensuring other families have access to the information, resources, and guidance they need for smoother transitions.
Our family’s journey has included both challenges and meaningful growth. While only one of our children had an Individualized Education Program (IEP), all three have been identified as Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG). Our oldest, Troy, was diagnosed with PDD-NOS (a form of Autism) at Ft. Bragg and benefited from early intervention services. Although continuing support was not always consistent, his determination—along with the encouragement of dedicated mentors and coaches—helped him thrive. Today, he is successfully employed at a local university and is happily married.
Our youngest, Triniti, has navigated ADHD, Dyslexia, and emotional challenges, yet discovered her strength and confidence through athletics and strong mentorship. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting while continuing to advocate for the supports she needs. Each of our children’s journeys reflects the impact of persistence, advocacy, and a strong support system.
These lived experiences guide my work every day. I firmly believe in the power of a “village” when it comes to supporting military children with diverse needs. Whether navigating special education, accessing healthcare, or connecting with community resources, my goal is to ensure families understand their rights, feel empowered, and can participate meaningfully in every decision affecting their child.
If you ever need guidance, resources, or simply someone to walk alongside you in this journey, please know I am here to help. I look forward to connecting with you and continuing to serve our military families with compassion, respect, and dedication.
Warmly,
Triahnna Miles
Military Outreach Parent Educator
Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC)
| | | | Our Tool Time segments are 30 minutes or less and highlight practical tools and resources to support you in advocating for your child and making informed decisions. Each Tuesday at noon, ECAC staff and/or community partners introduce a specific resource, explain how to use it, and share where to access it. Three upcoming sessions will feature resources specifically for military families. Click here to register! | |
|
Tuesday, April 7th
The Navy Exceptional Family
Member Program (EFMP)
The Navy Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory program for Navy families who have dependents with chronic conditions lasting six months or longer. April Kountz and Nicole Bougie will provide an overview of the program, explain their roles as Case Liaisons, and discuss how they support families in accessing the services and resources they need at each duty station.
| | Presented by: Nichole Bougie & April Kountz, Exceptional Family Member Program Case Liaisons | | | |
|
Tuesday, April 14th
An Overview of MCEC -
The Military Child Education Coalition
Military life is ever-changing. Our help is always here. The Military Child Education Coalition® (MCEC®) understands the impact a military lifestyle can have on a child academically, emotionally, and socially. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to serve the children of those who serve us all connecting them to schools, organizations, and other resources to make sure they’re college-, work-, and life-ready. Join us in this session to learn more about MCEC from Mark Patton, Military Student Consultant.
| | Presented by: Mark Patton, Military Student Consultant | | | |
|
Tuesday, April 28th
Meet Triahnna Miles
ECAC Military Parent Educator
Join us to learn more about Triahnna Miles and her role as ECAC Military Parent Educator. She will share information on how she helps military families and review the 2026 Month of the Military Child and how families can engage in these activities this month and throughout the year.
| | | | |
|
Nadine Q.
"Being a military-connected family has shaped so much of our life. While we haven’t had to navigate frequent moves, we have experienced multiple long deployments—months at a time without my husband home. Those seasons bring a unique kind of strain—managing everything at home, making important decisions on your own, and at times having little to no communication for support or reassurance.
At the same time, I’ve been navigating the education system for my children, all of whom have unique learning needs. Advocating for them, ensuring they are supported, and trying to make the right decisions—often on my own during those long stretches—has been one of the most challenging parts of our journey.
There have been many moments that felt overwhelming—times where I was exhausted, frustrated, and unsure how much more I could keep pushing.
Most recently, this has been especially true with my first-grade son, who has been struggling to close significant gaps in his academic journey. Watching your child struggle while trying to figure out how to help them—while also carrying everything else at home—is incredibly heavy. That is where ECAC—and more specifically, Triahnna—has been absolutely pivotal in our journey.
Triahnna has supported me through all three of my children’s experiences, and I truly don’t know where we would be without her. She has provided me with critical resources, guidance, and connections that I didn’t even know existed. Through her support, I’ve been able to grow into a stronger advocate for my children—one who is backed by knowledge, facts, and the confidence to speak up and push for what they need.
She has helped me understand how to navigate the system, how to advocate effectively, and how to ensure my son’s education plan is truly built around his needs.
But beyond that, she has been my biggest supporter and encourager. There have been so many days where I felt completely overwhelmed and wanted to give up—but she reminded me why we keep going. She helped me push through meetings I didn’t think I could handle, and she grounded me in what matters most—our kids.
She has become more than just someone who advises us—she is a meaningful and lasting part of our journey.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what this is all about. Our journey hasn’t been easy, but it has made us stronger, more informed, and more determined. And having someone like Triahnna in our corner has made all the difference. If sharing our story helps another family feel supported, informed, or even just a little less alone, then it is absolutely worth it."
| | | |
Purple Star Award
North Carolina has a significant population of active-duty service members, as well as guard, reserve, and veteran personnel, and this is reflected in its public schools. In 2019, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction introduced the Purple Star Award Designation to acknowledge the state’s strong military presence and its dedication to supporting military families. This designation is given to schools that demonstrate military-friendly practices and a clear commitment to serving military-connected students and their families.
Click Here to Learn More!
| | | |
Military Child Well-Being Toolkit
The MCEC Military Child Well-Being Toolkit provides social-emotional support resources for parents, educators, school counselors, administrators, and professionals who work with military-connected youth. The Toolkit’s evidence-based content fosters emotional intelligence (EI), mindfulness, and overall well-being for military children. It offers resources for families living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other injuries. There are also resources on suicide prevention and awareness, social connection, social justice, and more.
| | |
As part of this month-long celebration, local communities are invited to take part in PurpleUp Day! established by your state and wear or display purple to recognize our military children. Click the link above for a few suggestions on how your school can celebrate the Month of the Military Child. Plan now for how you can show your support for military children in your schools. Work with your students, staff, PTA or Boosters to do recognition.
| | | | |