The Family Advocacy program's mission is to provide for the
physical, mental, social, and emotional welfare of all military family
members.
The Special Needs Identification Program (SNIP) is designed to
assist active duty family members who have special needs in obtaining medical
and educational services. The program establishes procedures for
identifying exceptional family members, classifying their needs and ensuring the
provision of services. It is mandatory for all military sponsors to
enroll any exceptional family member into the program.
The program (1)
ensures the family member's special needs are identified so they will not be
sent to a location without the required services, (2) assist in the coordination
of services at the gaining base, (3) assist in the deferment of an assignment
when appropriate and/or, (4) continue to serve as a resource to the family when
the sponsor is on a remote or unaccompanied tour. SNIP also assists
in providing documentation in support of TDY deferments when appropriate,
provides a continuous support system to families, assists in coordination of
area services, serves as the central point for all families clearing for
overseas travel, and investigates the availability of services for all incoming
SNIP families.