Moving to Mountain home with Special Needs Child (Boise, Pocatello: home builder, school district)

[GinaB1208]

Hi, We are going to be moving to Mountain Home AFB/ Boise area and we have a 7 year old son with Down Syndrome. I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about the special need programs at the schools in the area or of any support groups I can contact for more information.

Thank you for your help!

Gina

[BethanneMakaio]

Gina,
I was wondering what you found out about the services in Mountain Home? My family is considering a move and we have a son who is blind.
Are you there and can offer any advice?
Thanks.
Bethanne

[mom24ajs]

Hi. I was just offered a position in Gooding, ID. Because my husband would like to live close to Boise, they said that Mountain Home we should look at. I have a daughter who is blind, so I am curious about services there as well. Thank you.

[kristinl5]

Hi, I just read all of your requests for assistance in Idaho, especially the Mt. Home area..here is a website for a great group that I'm aware of and may be helpful for you..You might find that the majority of these programs are in the Boise area, the travelling distance between Mt. Home and Boise is approx. 40 min. Here is the website..please let me know if I can help any of you further with anything else. Thanks
Idaho Parents Unlimited, Inc.

[Mtn. States Resident]

Hi moms who are asking about services in the Gooding-Mtn. Home Area.

Do your children have other special needs, besides their blindness? Also, roughly how old are they? Age can be a determing factor of what services are available or what doctors will see patients.

I know both at a professional and personal level there are many additional challenges with special needs children. I want to make sure you all know what is and is not available for your children (or how far away the nearest other services you may need are).

Is it possible to know a bit more about your children? You can DM me if you want, not trying to exploit any child here. However, if someone is 16 vs. 3 years old, it makes a difference.

For Mtn. Home, is that a military connected position? Or, civilian utilizing civilian services?

Good luck to all of you as you make the best choices for each of your families.

MSR

[BethanneMakaio]

I talked to some people in Gooding at the school for the blind. Like most VI services throughout the country they are struggling to meet needs, BUT I was impressed by the resources at hand and the availability of those instructors. Boise, btw, has a preschool TVI who is also a mobility instructor. :P always good to know. Pocatello/Idaho Falls are the other places that have their own instructors. If I remember correctly. Mountain HOme really did look like a decent spot. I'll have to come back and post if we end up out there.

thanks for the help.
BEthanne

[SARDOG357]

Hi Folks,
I live in Boise and my daughter is now 19 and has gone through the entire special needs system here in the valley. I must say that I am very happy with the service she has received. She has gone through the Katy Becket (SP) program as well as "community connections" where she continues to learn her social and independent skills. You can call our rep at (208) 377-9814 her name is Marin and she could send you in the right direction. I would also recommend "Stone Ridge Homes" as a reputable home builder in the Mountain Home and Boise areas (208)859-3990 (Ed Jenkins)

[voivod]

Originally Posted by GinaB1208

Hi, We are going to be moving to Mountain Home AFB/ Boise area and we have a 7 year old son with Down Syndrome. I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about the special need programs at the schools in the area or of any support groups I can contact for more information.

Thank you for your help!

Gina

the mayor of mtn home was heavily involved in a disabled children's charity. i don't remember his name, but he was an african-american guy. maybe he's still the mayor there. probably a good start.

[SchoolLiaison]

I'm sorry I didn't see this forum sooner, but for military families who may stumble on this site in the future, I wanted to let you know what services are available to help with school transition and special needs.

I am the School Liaison for Mountain Home AFB and am based at the Airman & Family Readiness Center. My primary role is to provide accurate information and referral for military families as they relate to school transistion issues and/or special needs resources. I have a working relationship with the local school district, charter schools and private schools in Mountain Home and the surrounding communities as well as helpful points of contact for homeschooling activity groups in Mountain Home.

Feel free to email me with any questions at robin.riger@mountainhome.af.mil or by phone: 208-828-2458