This article was originally published at the Military Family Advisory Network by Dr. Ingrid Herrera-Yee, PhD. To read more about the proposed changes and how to get involved, click here.
Something very important is happening tomorrow. Tomorrow is the deadline for commenting on the proposed changes to the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). The DoD is making some important changes to the EFMP program, and they need YOUR input. So far, there have only been 44 comments received. There is still time. We can do better.
So, what is EFMP?
To support Families with special needs, the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) was created in the early 1980’s. It was designed to be a comprehensive, coordinated, multi-agency program that provides community support, housing, medical, educational, and personnel services to military Families with an exceptional family member. Military Families have members with special needs, including spouses, children, or dependent parents who require special medical or educational services.
The Exceptional Family Member Program has three components:
- Identification and enrollment of a family member with special medical or educational needs.
- Assignment coordination to determine the availability of services at the projected duty station.
- Support to help families identify and access programs and services.
Who should enroll in the program?
Family members with special medical or educational needs should enroll in the Exceptional Family Member Program. This includes spouses, children and dependent adults who:
- Require special medical services for a chronic condition such as asthma, attention deficit disorder, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, etc.
- Receive ongoing services from a medical specialist.
- Have significant behavioral health concerns.
- Receive early intervention or special education services through an individualized education program or individualized family service plan.
What are these proposed changes? Click here for a direct link to them.