Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) 

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory enrollment program that works with other military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive and coordinated community support, housing, educational, medical, and personnel services to Families with special needs.

Soldiers on active duty enroll in the program when they have a Family member with a physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual disorder requiring specialized services so their needs can be considered in the military personnel assignment process.

The overall goal of EFMP is to help Families accompany the Service member to the right duty locations, not to exclude them.

Use these resources, tools, and articles to learn more about EFMP and the families it serves.

 

SERVICES PROVIDED: 

  • System Navigation: The EFMP Systems Navigator is responsible for facilitating connections between families who have special needs and the systems of required care. This includes provision of information and referral to community agencies, special education directors, medical providers, parent-to-parent networks and other resources. The Family Support EFMP office within the Soldier & Family Readiness Center (SFRC) maintains a resource library with books, DVDs and guides covering multiple conditions, special education and disability law. Free information booklets, parent handbooks and brochures are available throughout the SFRC building.
  • Multi-Disciplinary Inclusion Action Team : The Multi-disciplinary Inclusion Action Team (MIAT) is established to ensure the most appropriate placement of children with special needs in Child & Youth Services (CYS) programs. The team reviews any new or annual review applications for CYS programs that indicate any possible conditions requiring accommodations. The team reviews the needs of the child and determines if those needs can be met and recommends a placement setting that accommodates, to the extent possible, the child's needs. The goal is to ensure the child has the very best experience at CYS and staff are trained to provide the care that a particular child needs.
  • Individualized Education Program: Upon request of parents, SFRC EFMP can participate as an advocate in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for school-aged children. The child's school IEP team must be notified prior to the meeting that an EFMP representative will be attending.
  • Respite Care: For active Army and active Guard and Reserve families who are responsible for regular care of persons with disabilities, the EFMP Respite Care Program provides a temporary rest period. Respite Care is available to eligible Level 3 or Level 4 EFMs if care is not available/accessible through CYS, TRICARE ECHO or state resources. Respite care providers undergo a Child Care National Agency Check with Inquiries (CNACI) and an installation records check prior to providing care in accordance with regulatory guidelines and guidance. Eligibility for Respite Care Program is based on EFMP enrollment and the medical condition(s) of the family member requiring care.