FORT JACKSON, SC -- The Army Community Services Exceptional Family Member Program is sponsoring the first EFMP Community Resources Awareness Fair, March 17 at the Solomon Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The awareness fair will give Soldiers who have family members with special needs an opportunity to talk to representatives from on- and off-post agencies face-to-face, obtain needed information and find out what services are available in the community and how to access them. Soldiers and family members may attend.
"Many of our families spend hours on the Internet, telephone and searching the Columbia area for resources," said Cheryl Jackson, EFMP manager. "This will give them quick access to the folks they need to see all in one day."
EFMP reaches families in many ways. EFMP is committed to helping improve the quality of life and well-being for Soldiers and family members.
The goal of the EFMP is to ensure that all families with special needs members receive prompt and adequate information, referral and assistance to services and resources.
Besides the services required by regulation, Fort Jackson provides additional services.
There are four support groups available at Fort Jackson: Autism Support Group, Sibling Support Group, EFMP Support Group, and the Off-Post EFMP Support Group.
"As another way of meeting the needs of EFMP families, the Fort Jackson EFMP has also developed a special care notebook for families to track individual EFM medical, school and day care services," Jackson said. "The care notebook can be designed specifically for each individual's needs and is easy to maintain and carried from installation to installation to keep up with important information. "
EFMP also has a library for adults and children. Information is available and can be checked out by family members.
"The EFMP staff is ready to serve families before they even arrive at Fort Jackson (and) until the time they leave the installation," Jackson said.
Participating agencies at the EFMP Community Resources Awareness Fair include: The Early Autism Project Inc. Muscular Dystrophy Association, Operation Military Kids, Alzheimer's Association, MEDDAC-Preventive Medicine and the S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation Department.
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