EFMP acts as source for special needs families

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Because nearly 15 percent of all military families have a member in the home with a medical or educational disability, having a good support system is essential for a high quality of life.

The Exceptional Family Members Program connects active duty family members who have special needs with many on- and off-base agencies.

"We coordinate between the family and aiding agencies to ensure military families understand what aid is provided both on base and in the local community," said Windy Scott, 23rd Force Support Squadron EFMP coordinator at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. "My role is to provide information, support and referral services to connect the families with someone who can provide them the help they need."

Representatives for the EFMP Program can be found in Airman and Family Readiness Centers and Medical Group Family Advocacy Clinics. The two agencies work together to provide a positive experience for families.

"I am prior military with a child that was deemed as a special needs member; raising a child with special needs as a single military parent was tough," Mrs. Scott said. "At times, I struggled with my military career, daycare problems, 12-hour shifts and the lack of sleep. Now that I have the opportunity to coordinate families that have special needs to aiding agencies, I get to see first-hand how the program has a positive impact."

Even though the EFMP Program is available to military families with special needs, it is up to the sponsor to work with the agencies they are introduced to once enrolled in the program.

Once servicesmembers enroll into the EFMP, they are responsible for keeping their special needs identification and assignment coordination medical and special education documentation current, and for notifying the Special Needs Identification and Assignment Coordination office of any changes in family composition or contact information. A review is also required as the exceptional family member's condition changes or within six months of family change of station.

There are more than 16,000 Airmen currently enrolled in the EMFP and more sign up every year.

"We have had nearly 25 military families sign up this year," said Capt. Natasha Bullock, 23rd MDG Family Advocacy and special needs coordinator officer. "As we continue to speak at Right Start briefings, there will be more families enrolling to take advantage of what we have to offer."

After a family is enrolled in EFMP, it remains in effect until the medical or special education needs no longer meet criteria, until the servicemember is separated from active duty or until the exceptional family member is no longer a military dependent. Disenrollment is accomplished by presenting the SNC at the MTF with documentation that indicates one or more these provisions have been met.