Special needs fair to provide information for families

  • Published
  • By Jim Fisher
  • Kirtland Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center will host a Special Needs Fun Fair on Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. at the Mountain View Club.

The event will feature a variety of service providers for parents of children with special needs, according to AFRC Community Readiness Consultant and Exceptional Family Member Program Coordinator Kyshia Newsome.

"Simply put, it's an opportunity for children to have fun and for parents to learn more about services are available here on base and throughout the area," she said.

State, local and base agencies will also be on hand, including a school liaison officer and representatives from Tricare, New Mexico Office of Disabilities and Albuquerque Public Schools Special Education, Newsome said.

"This year we will have more than 40 local vendors from on and off base coming in to set up and showcase their services to our community," she said.

Applied behavior analysis, assistance dogs, speech and occupational therapy, horse therapy and more will be on display.

"For military families who move frequently it can be difficult to try to reestablish services," Newsome said. "We are trying to make it easier for parents who have come to a whole new environment to sort through the various providers and types of treatment and therapy options available. The hope is we have enabled them to make an informed choice."

This year the fair will have a carnival-like atmosphere with a clown, face painting and a bouncy castle, as well as free hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks.

Volunteers will supervise the children in play areas to allow parents to concentrate on learning about the services available.

"We want to provide valuable information to our families, and also give them an opportunity to provide feedback to us and our providers, including things they would like to see at our next fun fair," she said.

The Special Needs Fun Fair is open to families from all service branches, Department of Defense civilians, contractors and retirees with children with special needs or suspected special needs. Families do not have to be enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program to participate.

For more information, call Newsome at 853-1717.