Veterans & Military Family Resources for Cerebral Palsy and Special Needs
Nearly 15% of military and veteran families have at least one family member with special needs, many of whom have cerebral palsy. Oftentimes, families may have a child who requires ongoing medical, educational, or therapy support. Unlike civilian families, military families often manage these needs while navigating deployments, relocations, new schools, and shifting care teams.
If your child has cerebral palsy or special needs, or if you are a veteran living with CP or mobility differences yourself, the support system you need can feel complicated or hard to qualify for. Learn more about veteran resources, programs, and support designed to help those who have served our country.
The Unique Challenges of Veteran and Military Families
Parenting a child with special needs, such as cerebral palsy, already requires planning, therapy, scheduling, and medical coordination. Frequent PCS moves, remote duty stations, and overseas assignments can make accessing medical specialists, equipment, and care more challenging.
- Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Moves: Frequent changes of moving to a new state → new doctors → new school system → and waiting lists can interrupt therapy, reset IEPs (Individualized Education Programs), and delay equipment approvals for children with CP.
- VA & Healthcare Limitations: While the VA provides affordable healthcare for veterans and their families, there are gaps in coverage, especially for those with lifelong disabilities like cerebral palsy. Strict wait periods and reduced access to non-VA healthcare providers may limit families from receiving the care they need.
- Deployments, Separations, and Remote Duty Stations: Military families stationed in remote bases or overseas may struggle to find pediatric neurologists, orthopedists, or therapy centers equipped to handle cerebral palsy. Sometimes children may have to travel hours or even fly to reach the right specialist. These gaps can delay much-needed care and increase stress for caregivers who are already balancing deployments, hectic work schedules, and family life.
- Social Pressures & Stigma: Military families are resilient, and some families may feel pressure not to ask for help. This can delay care when early intervention is most needed. Resilience should not mean doing everything alone.
You deserve clear guidance, care that follows your family from base to base, and people who understand your child's needs.
Did You Know? Military and veteran families are more likely to live in rural and remote areas, which can make accessing specialized care more challenging. The states with the highest percentage of veterans as of 2025 are:
- Alaska: 11.5%
- Virginia: 9.9%
- Wyoming: 9.6%
- Montana: 9.6%
Healthcare Benefits For Dependents with Disabilities
Veteran and military families raising a child with cerebral palsy or other disabilities rely on a network of medical providers, therapies, and specialists. Learn about the programs designed to help dependents with special needs.
- TRICARE: Covers essential medical care such as health plans, prescriptions, and dental coverage.
- ECHO: Expands access to services that many civilian families struggle to afford. This ensures their dependents with special needs can receive therapies, home modifications, and medical supplies unique to their condition.
- Special Needs Portal: The TRICARE Special Needs Portal centralizes everything caregivers need to understand benefits, eligibility, and referrals. This is especially useful when navigating new duty stations or major life changes.
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program)
Exceptional Family Member Program ensures families are placed only at duty stations that can support their dependent's medical and educational needs. It also connects parents with local resources, school support, and PCS planning guidance.
VA Caregiver Support
Veterans living with disabilities, including those with CP or service-connected injuries, may qualify for caregiver support through the VA. These programs help reduce burnout and give families access to essential training, respite, and mental health resources.
- Caregiver Support Program (PGCSS / PCAFC): These VA programs offer everything from one-on-one coaching to financial stipends and health coverage for qualifying caregivers. They are especially valuable for families balancing complex medical care with everyday responsibilities.
- Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA): Children of disabled veterans may be eligible for comprehensive health insurance.
- VA Survivors Pension: This VA program offers monthly payments to surviving spouses and children of wartime veterans who meet certain income and net worth limits.
Education and PCS Transitions
Constant moves can disrupt IEPs, therapy plans, and school services, making educational continuity a top concern for families raising a child with CP and other disabilities.
- Military Interstate Children's Compact ensures that states honor your child's existing educational supports, speeding up enrollment and preserving IEP and 504 accommodations during PCS transitions.
Income, Daily Living, and Employment
Many military and veteran families face financial strain when balancing full-time caregiving with employment. These programs can help supplement income or open new career paths.
- Pension Add-Ons (If Eligible for VA Pension): Programs like Aid & Attendance and Housebound benefits add monthly income for veterans who need help with daily activities or cannot leave home due to disability.
- Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E, Ch. 31): VR&E offers job training, education benefits, and workplace accommodations for veterans living with disabilities.
Housing, Mobility, and Transportation
Accessible housing and reliable mobility equipment make a world of difference for both veterans and children with CP. These programs help families modify their home and transportation so daily life is more manageable.
Adapted Housing Grants (Veterans with Qualifying Service-Connected Disabilities)
- SAH/SHA Grants: Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grants give eligible veterans financial support to customize their home for mobility and independence.
Accessing grants and qualifying for specific eligibility requirements can be time-consuming but are typically well worth the effort. The VA issued 2,352 SAH grants totaling $147 million in 2024.
Vehicles and Driving
Whether adapting a family van or retrofitting a personal vehicle, accessible transportation is essential for medical appointments, school, and daily independence.
- VA Automobile Allowance & Adaptive Equipment: This VA program offers financial assistance for purchasing a vehicle or adding adaptive controls, lifts, and accessibility features.
Nonprofits & Community Organizations
Nonprofits and other communities are available to serve veteran and military families. Many of these organizations offer free education, health, housing, therapy, and financial benefits for eligible families.
- Fisher House Foundation: Provides free lodging for military and families receiving medical treatment far from home during long-term disability care.
- Operation Homefront: Offers emergency financial assistance, housing help, and family support programs for military households facing unexpected medical or caregiving expenses.
- Wounded Warrior Project (WWP): Support veterans and families with mental health care, peer programs, and benefits.
- Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA): Provides expert benefits assistance, legal advocacy, medical guidance, and accessibility resources for veterans with mobility impairments or disabilities.
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Helps veterans and families access VA benefits, medical care, and transportation services at no cost.
- United Cerebral Palsy (UCP): National affiliate network for therapy, assistive technology, community programs, and resource referrals for individuals with CP.
- Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF): Offers education, early detection content, awareness, and advanced research initiatives.
- CP Research Network (CPRN): Connects families, clinicians, and researchers through evidence-based pathways, toolkits, and community forums.
Additional VA Benefits for Families
Veterans and their families may be eligible for additional VA benefits that support daily living, education, home accessibility, and long-term financial security. Many of these benefits are also available even after you pass, ensuring your family will continue to be supported in the future.
- VA Home and Community Based Services: For veterans or veteran parents with disabilities needing in-home or respite care.
- VA Education Benefits: Family members of veterans may be eligible for VA education benefits such as money to cover school expenses or job training.
- VA Home Loans: Surviving spouses may be eligible for VA home loans and funds to purchase or modify homes for disability-related accessibility.
- VA Life Insurance: In the event of the veteran passing, their spouse and children can be covered by life insurance.
Mental Health Resources for Veteran Families
Caring for a child with special needs while managing the demands of military life can take a serious emotional toll. Fortunately, veterans and their families have access to confidential mental health resources through the VA, Military OneSource, and nonprofit partners.
- VA Mental Health Services: Comprehensive mental health care, including counseling, PTSD treatment, and family therapy to support caregivers and children managing disability-related stress.
- Military OneSource – Special Needs Consultations: Provides free consultations with specialists who help families navigate EFMP, school, and care coordination for dependents with special needs.
- Wounded Warrior Project - Mental Wellness: Mental health programs such as outpatient treatment, emotional support groups, and family-focused counseling for veterans and caregivers.
Veterans have a significantly higher rate of mental health struggles compared to civilians. Taking care of mental health is important for veterans and military families, especially when raising children with cerebral palsy or special needs. Thankfully, there is support available.
Organizations to Support Children with Disabilities
A wide network of national disability organizations offers programs, peer connections, therapy resources, and advocacy tools for families raising a child with cerebral palsy or other developmental challenges. From grants to community programs, there are many care options available for families to support their child with special needs.
National Disability Organizations
- Easterseals: Therapy, early-intervention services, respite, adaptive sports, and community programs for children with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities.
- The Arc: Advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and connects families with services like case management, housing support, and inclusive education resources.
- Family Voices: Helps families of children with special health care needs navigate medical systems, insurance, and care coordination.
- Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2F): Federally funded centers that guide families through insurance, Medicaid waivers, assistive technology funding, and community services.
- Autism Speaks: Offers early-childhood resources, toolkits, and local service guides that also benefit families of children with mixed or overlapping developmental challenges.
- National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities: Supports state DD Councils working to improve disability services, community inclusion, and advocacy for individuals with complex needs.
- Parent Training and Information Centers: Located in every state, PTIs help parents understand IEP/504 rights, special-education laws, and school-based supports for children with disabilities.
Assistive Technology & Mobility Resources
- Assistive Technology Act Programs: Provides free device loans, demos, and assistance obtaining communication devices, mobility aids, and adaptive technology.
- AbleData: Searchable database of thousands of assistive technology products to help families compare mobility equipment and assistive device options.
- United Spinal Association: Provides mobility resources, peer mentoring, accessibility advocacy, and equipment support for individuals with mobility impairments, including those with CP.
Caregiver Support
- National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC): Research, training, and tools for family caregivers, including those supporting children with cerebral palsy or complex medical needs.
- Give an Hour: Connects veterans and families with free mental health counseling and emotional support from licensed professionals.
Teens & Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy
- Got Transition (HHS Initiative): Guides teens, young adults, and parents through the transition from pediatric to adult health care, with tools tailored to complex disabilities.
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN): Free, confidential guidance for workplace accommodations to help young adults with disabilities succeed in training, education, and employment.
- AbilityOne Program: Creates employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities through federal contracts and community-based jobs.
- Social Security Disability (SSI/SSDI) for Children & Adults: Financial support for children and adults with disabilities who meet federal medical and income criteria.
Transportation & Travel Assistance
- Miracle Flights: Provides free medical flights for children who need to travel for treatment not available in their home area.
Financial, Equipment, and Charitable Support
- UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF) Grants: Offers medical grants to help families pay for therapy, equipment, or treatments not fully covered by insurance.
- Modest Needs Foundation: Provides grants to help families facing short-term financial emergencies, like medical bills or accessibility needs.
Respite Care
- Arch National Respite Network: Helps families locate local respite care providers, funding programs, and emergency relief services for caregivers of children with disabilities.
Veterans Resources FAQs
Written and Medically Reviewed by:
Cerebral Palsy Hub Team
Cerebral Palsy Hub was founded to help support children and their families with cerebral palsy and to create a safe space for those affected. We strive to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information, and tools to help give your child the life they deserve.
Last Updated: November 15, 2025
