The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a Department of
Defense program that helps military dependents with special needs. The
Coast Guard, which operates under the authority of the Department of Homeland
Security has a similar program called the Special Needs Program, or SNP.
EFMP Family Support staff, along with an installation’s School
Liaison Officer, are the primary points of contact for parent centers for
holding installation-based trainings, access to meet with families on installations,
and insider information about installation support programs and family
engagement.
Note: although
the purpose of the EFMP and the SNP are the same across all branches of
service, there are some differences, explained at the end of the article. There
may also differences by installation, such as the availability of respite care
providers and funding.
EFMP Functions
- Identification and enrollment is a collaborative effort among military-connected health care providers and EFMP staff:
- Example: a child is identified as having a particular disability by the family’s regular medical provider who refers the family to the EFMP enrollment office.
- Military
duty assignment coordination: once a family member is enrolled in the
program, future duty assignments for the military service member are considered
in the light of that family member’s medical or educational needs.
- For example, if a child is enrolled in EFMP
due to the need for speech and occupational therapy, the service member’s
projected duty station will be screened to see if these services are available.
Note: although
the family member’s needs are considered in the assignment process, military
requirements may take priority for assignment decisions and there are no
guarantees that services and supports are available at a new duty location.
- Family Support: this is
the EFMP function which directly serves EFMP families and is the most common
point of contact for parent centers. Staff are civilians who work for the
military. Contact information for EFMP Family Support is available on our Interactive Maps.
- Provides non-medical case management
- Assists with navigating the Department of
Defense medical, transport, legal, and counseling systems.
- Provides information about local civilian
services and supports
- May arrange support groups, classes, and
family events for the benefit of EFMP families assigned to their installation.
- On some installations, EFMP Family Support may
also provide access and financial support for respite care.
Who is eligible for EFMP?
Active duty personnel with family members who have special health* or
educational needs may be eligible. National Guard and Reserve personnel with
family members who have special health or educational needs may be eligible
during the time period when the service member is called for active federal
duty. For EFMP ROC (below), National Guard and Reserve family members may have
a consultation without their service member being called to active duty.
*requiring
specialized care beyond the level of their general practitioner
Getting enrolled in EFMP:
Enrollment typically begins with the family member’s health
care provider. This can be either the primary care manager or a specialty care
provider that is military-connected. For additional information regarding the
EFMP, families can contact EFMP coordinators, EFMP liaisons, EFMP system
navigators, or family resources coordinators depending on their branch of
service. Coast
Guard parents may contact a Family Special Needs Case Management Officer.
Getting
the most benefit from EFMP
It’s important for families to contact the current installation’s
EFMP Family Support Office in these situations:
- To update the child’s EFMP file every three
(3) years
- The parent has new medical or educational
information about their child
- The service member is assigned to a new duty
station (PCS) to make certain that paperwork on the Exceptional Family Member
is up-to-date and to facilitate services and supports through the new duty
station’s EFMP Family Support office.
- Transportation needs for their child or youth enrolled
in EFMP
- Issues with military services and supports, or
expected services and supports are not available
- Finding resources at the state and local
levels (including parent centers!)
- Accessing state and federal benefits for which
the Exceptional Family Member may be eligible
Find contact information for EFMP Family Support staff on our Interactive Maps,
or contact the
Branch for assistance.
New EFMP
ROC program
EFMP Resources, Options and Consultations” (EFMP ROC) is a new
program that provides military families who have members with special health or
educational needs with enhanced services. Special needs consultants
are available by appointment, via phone or video at no cost, and there is no
limit to the number of appointments families can make.
- Supplements installation-based EFMP Family Support
- Highly useful for remote families such as National Guard and
Reserve. The service member does not need to be called to active duty
for these families to use EFMP ROC.
- Extended-hour appointments add convenience
- Can be used for cross-referrals to EFMP Family Support when a
family plans a move to a new installation
Families
can ask for assistance with:
- Exploring education options
- Special Education-will refer families to Parent Training and Information Centers (new!)
- Healthcare and TRICARE (military) programs for individuals with disabilities
- -including local medical care and services—with the support of a dedicated TRICARE specialist
- Federal and state benefits for individuals with disabilities
- Connecting to military and other child care, support groups, in-home care, and deployment support options
- Special needs trusts and estate planning
- Referrals to legal help for disability issues
Military
families can connect with EFMP-ROC through Military OneSource or by
calling 1-800-342-9647. Appointments can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. Consultants have extended (evening) hours for appointments.
Here are the designations for EFMP functions by branch of service:
| Branch of service | Name of Program | Services Provided |
| AIR FORCE | EFMP-Medical EFMP-Assignments EFMP-Family Supports | EFMP-M includes medical information management and
enrollment activities. EFMP-A includes comprehensive medical,
educational, community support, assignment coordination, and housing
accommodation activities. EFMP-FS includes community support through Airman
and Family Readiness Centers, including financial and educational referrals,
parent training, support groups, and relocation assistance. |
| ARMY | EFMP-M EFMP Family Support Human
Resources Command Compassionate Actions Branch | EFMP-M The primary functions of EFMP-M include: enrolling
identified families, conducting overseas screenings, and assignment
coordination. EFMP Family Support includes case
management services, support groups, educational classes, special education
resources, respite care, and information and referral to local agencies. Compassionate Actions Branch – facilitates reassignments in the
event that resources at a particular installation can’t support the needs of
the family member enrolled in EFMP. |
| NAVY | EFMP | EFMP liaisons are the point of contact throughout the fleet for the enrollment process,
individualized service plans, and overall case management. |
| MARINE CORPS | Family Case Managers | Family Case Managers are the point of contact for TRICARE,
local school district special education offices, DoD systems, family
advocates, and housing assistance related to accommodations. |
| COAST GUARD | Special Needs Program | Special Needs Program Coordinators are
housed in the Office of Work-Life Programs. This program is comparable
to EFMP but not identical. |
| NATIONAL GUARD | EFMP | EFMP liaisons are the point of contact for the enrollment process, individualized
service plans, and overall case management. |
