Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) - A mandatory program designed to provide a comprehensive approach for medical, educational, community support, housing, and personnel services to families with special needs. ACS serves as the coordinating agency to address EFM issues and to advise families of services available.

The installation EFMP provides information and resource referrals to military and civilian community support agencies. The EFMP manager offers advocacy assistance and can help Families with special education issues, including assessments, evaluations, Individual Education Programs (IEP's), 504 Accommodations, and Child Find early developmental intervention services.

Upon arrival, all in-processing military families with Exceptional Family Members should call and make an appointment to visit with the EFMP manager to obtain information on area resources and the booklet "Rights and Responsibilities" of Exceptional Family Members. This booklet contains information on local, state and federal laws and the American Disabilities Act.

The EFMP manager chairs the Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP) Team; which reviews all applications of Families with children with special needs wanting to participate in Child, Youth and School Services programs. The SNAP teams's purpose is to recommend and make the appropriate placement based on the accommodations needed. Every effort is made to accommodate the children in the desired program or activity.

The installation EFMP provides a Respite Care program for family members enrolled in the Army EFMP and meet the appropriate criteria. Once the application process is completed and the Exceptional Family Member is approved, a respite care provider can be selected by the Family. The provider can be a Community based agency that offers respite care services or it can be an individual.

To view the application for respite care for children and adults with disabilities - Click here.  (PDF)

To view the respite care hold harmless agreement form - Click here.  (Word Document)

EFMP Town Hall Meetings are an opportunity for the Families receiving Respite Care Services to discuss this program with the Garrison Commander. Child care will be provided at the Child Development Center, check-in at 6:15 p.m. Families need to pre-register for the Town Hall Meeting and request child care. For information on the next EFMP Town Hall Meeting call the EFMP Manager at 684-2871.

The EFMP manager provides guidance to military Families who have just received a new medical or educational diagnosis, and require information, resources and support to meet the challenges ahead.

Prior to the service member receiving orders to PCS, an appointment should be scheduled with the EFMP manager to complete a Housing and Community Needs Assessment and receive a Transition/Relocation checklist. In this venue, issues pertaining to continuity of care, and transition/relocation are addressed and coordination with the gaining installation is made to facilitate a "seamless transition".

For more information, resources or advocacy assistance please contact your Army Community Service EFMP Manager at (913) 684-2871 or 684-2800, DSN 522-2871.