Your Mission at Home Matters as Much as the One in Uniform.
Authors Jaime and Elizabeth Parent draw on decades of experience as parents, military family members, and professionals to offer clarity and compassion for families navigating autism within the unique demands of military life. Their insights blend practical strategies with empathy, helping you manage healthcare, education, benefits, and transitions during service and beyond. The book offers a comprehensive overview and guide to navigating life with your child on the autism spectrum as a military family and the website will provide tools and resources offering a pathway to take in your military journey
Inside this book you will learn how to:
Navigate TRICARE, EFMP, and other military programs with confidence
Plan for school transitions and advocate effectively for your child.
Access benefits and build a long-term financial strategy.
Prepare for life after service, including housing and employment options.
Reduce stress and strengthen family resilience through proven tools.
This is a roadmap for thriving in both missions crafted by those who’ve lived it.
The website will offer links, articles and expert advise on how to access resources to make transitons smoother for the entire military family
Introduction to Jaime B. Parent
Jaime B. Parent is a distinguished retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, who dedicated his career to the Biomedical Science Corps. Following his military service, he emerged as a fervent advocate for military veterans and individuals with autism or other intellectual disabilities.
Advocacy and Speaking Engagements
Parent is highly regarded as a speaker at various veterans’ and disability events. His expertise extends to conferences in diverse fields such as healthcare, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Notably, he has contributed significantly to the College of Healthcare Information Executives (CHIME), where his perspective on the intersection of technology and healthcare has proven invaluable.
The En-abled Vet Program
In a groundbreaking initiative, Jaime B. Parent established the En-abled Vet program, a unique internship aimed at equipping disabled veterans with essential entry-level healthcare computer skills. This program not only empowers these veterans but also highlights their potential in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. His innovative approach was recognized by major media outlets, including CBS2 Chicago and WCBT Chicago, bringing much-needed attention to the capabilities of veterans in the workforce.
Through his relentless efforts, Jaime B. Parent continues to inspire change and advocate for the rights and opportunities of veterans and individuals with disabilities, steering them towards brighter futures.
Introduction to Elizabeth “Tracy” Parent
Elizabeth “Tracy” Parent, Ed.S., is a dedicated educator, administrator, trainer, autism advocate, and proud military spouse with more than twenty years of experience serving children with autism and other neurodiverse needs. Across multiple military relocations in the United States and overseas, Tracy has remained steadfast in her mission: ensuring that every child—regardless of ability—has access to meaningful, inclusive, and empowering educational opportunities.
Her work is grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience. Tracy understands the unique challenges faced by families navigating special education systems, transitions, and military moves. This perspective fuels her commitment to equipping schools and communities with practical, research-based strategies that truly make a difference.
Advocacy and Speaking Engagements
Tracy is a sought-after consultant and presenter who has partnered with school districts nationally and internationally. She has developed globally used online trainings that equip educators and families with practical strategies for disability awareness, inclusion, behavior management, classroom accommodations, executive functioning, and promoting student independence.
Teacher and Parent Training
Serving at the local, state, national, and international levels, Tracy has trained educators and families to implement effective, inclusive practices. She collaborated across multiple U.S. states and in the Russian Federation, partnering with Denise Rosa of Perspektiva and Best Buddies Russia to advance disability awareness and inclusive education initiatives.
Leadership Through Service and Sport
A former Physical Education teacher and coach, Tracy has led girls’ basketball, volleyball, and track and field programs, and played on multiple Air Force base sports teams. She currently coaches Palm Beach Special Olympics 3-on-3 basketball, continuing her commitment to building confidence and opportunity for athletes of all abilities.
The Reviews are in for The Mission at Home!
Endorsement
Dr. Tanya R. Friese, Hosptial Corpsman, USN Ret., DNP, RN, CNL, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Rush University
“A guide to navigating complex systems, both military and civilian, to obtain the best care for families as a whole. Anyone who knows an individual with special needs, particularly autism, should consider this as thier “go to” reference, which surely will become highlighted, rabbit-eared, and respectfully worn.”
Endorsement
Lon Thompson, Civ. Ret. CIO Naval Health Clinics New England
“A powerful, compassionate guide for millitary families raising a child with autism, Jaime and Tracy’s tender and authoritative memoir blends lived experience with practical expertise, translating complex systems–such as assignments, EFMP, TRICARE, SSDI, and estate planning — into clarity and hope. It is a profoundly human testament to advocacy and enduring parental love.”
Endorsement
Steven Cardenaas, Colonel, USAF, Medical Service Corps Ret., Director, TRICARE Northeast
“I had the opportunity to have the author, Lt. Col Jaime Parent, serve as my Chief Information Officer when I was the Director of TRICARE Northeast. Lt Col Parent was superb in his position. He understood that the mission was his first priority. One would never know he was involved in a personal baattle to make sure his autistic child was receiving the medical and life skills necessary to live a happy and productive llife. Read this book and understand his journey. Then read it again.”
Endorsement
Monte Parker, Ret. SLP and Autism Educational Specialist. Education Service Center, Region 13, Austin TX
“A pervasive disorder demands a pervasive response. The Mission at Home details the decades long journey of one family coexisting with rigor of a military career and the constant flexibility of dealing with autism. This gift of experience can assist other military families as they move through their own unique experience. The book lays a firm foundation as a starting point for the military family impacted by autism from the perspective of a successful journey that never ends.
“Visit our pages for about the authors, media and press, Blog posts and photos, and contact information.”