Unique aspects of education, including special education and Dept. of Defense Schools for military families
Highlighting these three key areas using language familiar to military-connected families (“PCSing”) demonstrates your parent center’s knowledge of the issues they face.
Continue reading “Key Topics on the minds of military families”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.
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.
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:
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.
Families can ask for assistance with:
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. |
Alex is a young man who considers himself a “military brat”; he grew up in an Air Force family. He’s also one of the Branch’s military-connected consultants who help us with research, writing, and their lived experiences in the military community. Alex is an individual living with a disability which did not significantly affect his education.
Here is Alex’s education journey:
Continue reading “Alex’s Education Journey: Reflections & Tips by a Military Connected Youth with Disabilities”A college education can be extremely expensive, and debt from student loans can impact students and their families for years. Military parents may have financial challenges paying for college as military salaries and benefits don’t always stretch to cover today’s higher education costs. Earning scholarships is an excellent way to lower future monthly payments; some scholarship awards completely cover annual college expenses!
Below are two resources: scholarships for military-connected youth, and scholarships for youth with disabilities. The lists include awards for two- and four-year undergraduate degrees, graduate studies and vocational programs. All scholarships are national in scope; a few are international. Youth and their families may find scholarships that fit their needs or inspiration for a further search. Parent centers: feel free to select and share the most relevant scholarships for the families you serve. These lists are great for youth outreach, email campaigns, social media, workshops, support groups, resource fairs and newsletters.
Parent Center staff who work with military-connected youth during their crucial high school years know how disruptive a move can be, particularly “re-doing” a transition IEP with new sources of State and local training, support, and services. Parent Centers have the contacts and information to help the youth and family move ahead.
Continue reading “Post-High School Transition Resource for Military Families-with handout”
A Family Care Plan is a way to make sure that a military family is taken care of while their service member is gone. They may be gone because they are deployed, on temporary duty, or due to other military obligations.
Military OneSource “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.
Continue reading “Great New Addition to the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)”
As we know, having a parent away for a lengthy time places extra stress on children and the at-home parent, siblings or other care givers. No matter how often a military parent is deployed, and no matter how well-prepared a child might be for a parent’s absence, children with disabilities may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of stress on their physical and emotional well-being.
To help improve support for the child and increased understanding and support from teachers and schools, here are a few ways you and your center can help military families prepare their child’s school for deployment:
Continue reading “Help Military Families Prepare Their Child’s School for Deployment -with handout!”
The Interstate Compact is an excellent tool for your work with military families. There are resources for parents that describe what the Interstate Compact is, and what it can be used for. These two handouts are for military parents who want to know what specific steps to take to start resolving issues by using the Compact, and what their next steps are if their first efforts don’t succeed. You’ll find them helpful too!
Continue reading “Resolve School Issues with the Interstate Compact-2 Parent Handouts”
Parent Centers know the Procedural Safeguards in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Did you know that Department of Defense Activity (DoDEA) Schools have their own processes? If you work with military families who have a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) to or from these locations or work in the following locations (whose children attended or plan on attending a DoDEA school) this information will be particularly helpful for you. Continue reading “Procedural Safeguards in Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) Schools”