Greetings from Triahnna Miles, Military Outreach Parent Educator at ECAC

Hello to all! My name is Triahnna Miles, and I am the Military Outreach Parent Educator at the Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC). For those of you whom I have not yet had the pleasure of serving, I want to take a moment to introduce myself and share a bit about my background and my passion for assisting families like yours. I’ve had the privilege of working with ECAC for nearly two years, focusing on helping military families navigate the complex systems and services that are often essential for their children’s success. This mission is especially close to my heart, as I am the wife of a medically retired military member and a proud mother to three young adults: Troy (24), Vaisya (23), and Triniti (22).

When we first arrived in North Carolina, we had no plans to stay. I missed our time at Ft. Belvoir, and struggled with the idea of starting over in a new place. However, I quickly learned that when it comes to military life, “the best place you are is the last place you were.” We eventually chose to stay, especially as I was pregnant with Triniti and my pregnancy was considered high-risk. Navigating a new system of services and supports in a completely unfamiliar area was a challenge. This experience fueled my desire to help other families facing similar transitions, ensuring they have the information, resources, and support needed for a smoother process.

Our journey as a military family has not been without its hurdles. Only one of our children had an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) while going through school, but all three of them have been identified as Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG). Troy, our oldest, faced significant challenges early on. Diagnosed with PDD-NOS (a form of Autism) while at Ft. Bragg, we were fortunate to access early intervention services that made a profound impact on his development. However, the school system soon exited him from services at age five, and we faced many difficulties in getting the support he needed through his academic years. Despite his diagnosis being ignored for a long time, Troy’s perseverance and the support of caring coaches, such as Coach Henry, Coach Barabino, and Coach Darryl, helped him grow, both as an athlete and as an individual. Today, Troy is thriving in his maintenance job at a local university, and he’s happily married to Vaisya, who is pursuing a nursing degree.

Triniti, our youngest, has navigated her own set of challenges, including ADHD, Dyslexia, and emotional trauma. However, she found her passion and confidence through volleyball, excelling in travel volleyball and finding coaches who believed in her potential. Triniti is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Accounting while advocating for the support she needs for her disabilities. She, too, has found success with the help of her emotional support animal and her unwavering dedication.

I am incredibly proud of all my children. Through advocacy and persistence, we’ve worked hard to ensure that their needs are met, and they have made significant progress in their lives. With the support of our family, coaches, educators, and other community members, we are confident that each of our young adults will live a meaningful and fulfilling life.

I wholeheartedly believe in the power of a village when it comes to supporting military children with disabilities and unique needs. From physical, mental, and emotional needs to navigating educational systems, healthcare, and community resources, I am here at ECAC to ensure that military families are aware of the resources available to them. I am committed to helping families understand their rights and ensure they can participate meaningfully in meetings, doctors’ appointments, and any spaces where informed decisions are required.

If you ever need guidance or resources as you navigate your family’s unique challenges, know that I am here to help. I look forward to connecting with you and continuing to serve the military community with care, understanding, and dedication.

Warmly,

Triahnna Miles

Military Outreach Parent Educator

Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC)

Nicki H.

"We are a military family with two high support needs children. When we moved here to North Carolina, we made the choice to put our children in a brick and mortar school over homeschool, which we had previously done due to COVID restrictions. Unfortunately, things did not go well for my son. He was being mistreated by building level administration and his paperwork was significantly mismanaged. He was not receiving the support that he desperately needed to be able to attend school, despite my many attempts to advocate for him. I reached out to my EFMP case liaison who directed me to connect with ECAC. From there, ECAC helped me navigate the nuances of the system to help ensure he was getting not just what he needed, but the support he was entitled to due to his disability and high level of support. With guidance and support from Triahnna, I filed a state complaint to address the many issues we were having right before its expiration date, and that seemed to be the turning point for his success.  I was able to work cooperatively with our district to come to a better situation for all involved. Our district has now opened an Intensive Behavior Support Program, which my son is now enrolled in. My son, and daughter, are now in a much better situation due to the guidance that was provided by ECAC."