- Systems Navigators. Systems navigators are ACS EFMP staff members available on most Army installations. They assist EFMP Families with navigating through the available systems of care.
- EFMP Newsletter. The Exceptional Advocate is the DoD’s EFMP newsletter, which includes helpful information and resources.
- Military OneSouce. Military OneSource’s EFMP & Me tool allows Families to explore the details of EFMP benefits and processes.
- DirectSTEP. DirectSTEP® eCourses are available for free to Soldiers and Family Members, Army EFMP staff, and Special Education staff associated with teaching military children. DirectSTEP® eCourses teach staff, parents, and educators how to handle critical education issues to obtain positive outcomes.
- Respite Care Support. The Army’s Respite Care Support services provide a temporary rest period for Family members responsible for regular care of persons with disabilities. Care may be provided in the EFM respite care user’s home.
- Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR). CPIR serves as a central resource of information and products to the community of Parent Training Information (PTI) Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers, so they can focus their efforts on serving Families of children with disabilities.
- American Camp Association (ACA). The ACA is a community of camp professionals who join together to share their knowledge and experience and ensure the quality of camp programs, including those for Exceptional Family Members.
- Who must enroll in the program?
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(1) Active Army
(2) U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Soldiers in the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program
(3) Army National Guard (ARNG) AGR personnel serving under authority of 10 USC and 32 USC.Department of the Army civilian employees do not enroll in the program.
You must identify dependent children with special education and medically related service needs and Family members with medical needs each time they process for an assignment to a location outside the United States where Family member travel is authorized at Government expense. - Frequently Asked Questions about EFMP
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How does a Soldier enroll in the program?
Soldiers can contacts the nearest Army medical treatment facility EFMP point of contact to begin the assessment process and obtain the enrollment forms. Once the forms are completed, they are forwarded to the appropriate regional medical command for coding. The regional medical command enrolls eligible Active Army Soldiers in EFMP. They notify Army National Guard and Reserve personnel agencies of eligible AGR Soldiers who then enroll them in the program. For information and forms, please visit http://efmp.amedd.army.mil/index.html.Does enrollment have any impact on the Soldier’s career?
Enrollment in EFMP does not adversely affect selection for promotion, schools, or assignment. Information concerning enrollment in EFMP or any of the data used in the program is not made available to selection boards.What are the benefits of enrollment in the program?
Enrollment allows assignment managers at Army personnel agencies to consider the documented medical and special education needs of EFMs in the assignment process. When possible, Soldiers are assigned to an area where the medical and special education needs of their EFM can be met. This will depend on a valid personnel requirement for the Soldier’s grade, specialty and eligibility for the tour. All Soldiers are still eligible for worldwide assignments.Are special education needs always considered?
Special education needs are only considered in assignments outside of the United States. Assignments within our 50 states and Trust Territories are not based on the educational needs of children. Every local school system must obey public laws regarding the provision of special education.
What EFMP community support services are available through Army Community Service?
Army Community Services include information and referral, advocacy, support groups, respite care and relocation assistance. - Respite Care Program
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The Respite Care Program is a component of EFMP that provides a temporary rest period for eligible Families who are responsible for regular care of a dependent with disabilities. Care may be provided in the EFMP respite care user’s home and other settings such as special needs camps and enrichment programs. Respite care decreases Family stress, increases Family stability and reduces costly out-of-home placements, thereby contributing to Soldier readiness.
The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) provides comprehensive support to Family members with special needs. An Exceptional Family Member is a Family member with any physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual disorder that requires special treatment, therapy, education, training, or counseling, and meets the eligibility criteria. EFMP pertains to active-duty Soldiers, US Army Reserve Soldiers in the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program, and Army National Guard AGR personnel serving under authority of 10 USC or 32 USC. Department of the Army Civilians do not enroll in the program.
EFMP takes an all-inclusive approach to coordinating military and civilian community, educational, medical, housing, and personnel services to help Soldiers and their Families with special needs. Enrollment in EFMP includes a wide array of benefits, detailed in the EFMP Benefits Fact Sheet.
EFMP enrollment does not adversely affect promotions, schools, or assignments. EFMP information is not made available to selection boards.
Soldiers with Exceptional Family Members are required to register for EFMP and keep enrollment information current. That way, Family needs will be considered during the OCONUS assignments process. If you’re eligible for EFMP services, Family members must be screened and enrolled when they accompany authorized Soldiers on OCONUS assignments. Screenings include a medical records review for all Family members and developmental screening for all children 72 months and younger. (Special education needs are considered only in assignments outside the United States. Assignments within the US and its territories are not based on the educational needs of children.)
For more information about EFMP and helpful articles about the program, look at the Enterprise EFMP site. After that, contact the installation EFMP manager at your local Army Community Service (ACS) office. To learn more about medical enrollment, see the Program Overview.
EFMP Resources
Here are some helpful resources for EFMP Families.
(Government Links)
(Non-Government Links, No Endorsement Implied)
