We know the system and we are here to help you connect with the resources and support that fit your family's individual needs. We can help with housing accommodations, special education, IEP/504 plan to help at school, or you simply need to update your enrollment, our team is here for you. The Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield Exceptional Family Member Program team is here to help.
Family Support Services
Army Family support services enable an EFMP Family to become its own best advocate by helping them identify and connect with resources, expert navigators, education and community support. Support is provided both in person as well as virtually. Self-service information is available on this site, the Army Family Web Portal, or Military OneSource.
- Army EFMP offices are staffed with professionals who can help EFMP Families:
- Find and tap into community resources, services and programs that will meet their needs
- Provide information and referrals and help develop a Family service plan
- Train and support Soldiers and Families to be their own best advocates
- Provide a warm hand-off to another installation EFMP office when moving
EFMP Systems Navigators
Systems navigators are EFMP staff members located on most Army installations who are knowledgeable about the systems of care used by Families with special needs. The primary role of a Systems Navigator is to navigate Family’s needs through the available systems of care. Systems Navigators also assist Families who are transitioning from the program, due to retirement, separation from the military, or transition to another duty station. They can help develop a Family Service Plan to reach goals, identify support groups and social activities, make necessary referrals, provide information about disabilities or medical conditions of concern, and strengthen the ability to advocate for your EFM. EFMP Systems Navigators also work closely with EFMP medical counterparts to accept referrals for those Families who have received new and/or complex diagnoses that require multiple support services.
Respite Care
The EFMP Respite Care Program provides a temporary rest period for Family members responsible for regular care of persons with disabilities. It decreases Family stress, increases Family stability and reduces costly out-of-home placements, thereby contributing to Soldier readiness. Care may be provided in the EFMP respite user's home Child, Youth and School Services facilities, or other settings such as special needs camps and enrichment programs. It is time limited based on the EFM medical condition and availability of funding. An eligible EFM may qualify for up to 25 hours per month. Eligible Family members must be enrolled in the EFMP and may qualify for EFMP Respite Care if there is documentation of a severe chronic medical condition or significant medical needs. Severe chronic conditions are often not curable and may carry a poor clinical prognosis.
DirectSTEP
EFMP partnered with LRP Publications to bring DirectSTEP® eCourses at no charge to EFMP Families, staff and special education staff associated with teaching military children. DirectSTEP® is an excellent opportunity for anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of special education and related topics. It explains legal requirements, best practices for behavior management, autism, IDEA eligibility, individual education plans, and more at DirectSTEP®.
FAQ's
DEERS U.S. ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT EFMP MILITARY CHILD EDUCATION COALITION MILITARY ONE SOURCE TRICARE TRICARE ECHO EFMP ONE-SOURCEE-EFMP
The Exceptional Family Member Program, is a mandatory enrollment program that works with other Military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive and coordinated medical, educational, housing, community support, and personal services to Family Members with special needs. The Exceptional Family Member Program is governed by Army Regulation, AR 608-75. It is designed to assist active duty personnel with Exceptional Family Members (EFMs) who have special physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual needs during assignments/reassignments . Enrollment is based upon the individual medical and educational requirements of DEERS enrolled Family members of active duty Military personnel.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
- Information and referral to Military and community services
- Education and outreach
- Special recreational activities
- Assistance with special needs accommodation at on post childcare facilities and Family housing
- Warm hand offs to the EFMP at the next location
- Non-clinical case management, including individualized services plans RESPITE CARE
- EFMP respite care is a program that provides a temporary rest period for Family members responsible for regular care of persons with disabilities. Care may be provided in the EFM's home or at on post childcare facilities on a first come, first served basis. EFM's must meet required medical criteria before receiving respite care services. Applications for respite care can be received at the ACS EFMP office located in building 86.
SYSTEM NAVIGATION
Systems Navigators provide non-clinical case management services to our Families. They can assist you with finding the resources your Family Members need both on and off the installation. They can also assist if you are having issues with special education services at schools both on and off the installation including home and online schooling. If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)/504 plan and you need assistance getting accommodations or you just need some help understanding the process, our Navigators are here to help.
IN & OUT PROCESSING
The ACS EFMP office is responsible for in and out processing, and relocation assistance for families with special needs. Our in-processing procedures consist of family assessment to determine eligibility for required and available services and resources. During out processing will provide relocation assistance as need to families and perform a warm hand off to the gaining installation ACS EFMP office.
SNAP
The purpose of the SNAP/MIAT team is to address the individual medical or educational needs of children enrolled in Child, Youth Services (CYS) childcare or recreational programs. We are here to help decide placement and ensure reasonable accommodations are available for your children enrolled in CYS programs. As a parent, you are a vital member of this team. Your participation is strongly encouraged and valued. The SNAP/MIAT can be of greater assistance when provided with a brief history, outline of current symptoms/concerns and actions taken (rescue medicine, etc.).
During the initial enrollment or re-registration, parents will complete the SNAP/MIAT Screening Form, which will be reviewed by the Army Public Health Nurse (APHN). In some cases, the Medical Action Plan (MAP) will be provided for completion by the child’s doctor, stating the diagnosis and recommended accommodations. The MAP will be reviewed by the APHN and forwarded to EFMP Coordinator, who will then contact parents for a SNAP/MIAT meeting appointment.
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Do you have PCS orders?
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Are you E1 -E6, O1-O3, W1-W2?
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Do you have dependents?
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It is MANDATORY that you attend the EFMP 101 PCS Brief.
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Fort Stewart EFMP at (912) 435-9646
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Hunter Army Airfield at (912) 315-6816
Please go to E-EFMP to enroll, update or check the status of your EFMP.
https://efmp.army.mil/EnterpriseEfmp/
Stabilizations are granted on a case by case basis. Stabilizations are for EFM's who would have a serious, detrimental disruption in services if they were to move. EFMP stabilization is not the same as a high school stabilization. EFMP stabilizations, when granted, are good for four years from the start date of the services not necessarily from the date requested.