Moving from duty station to duty station can be overwhelming, especially for a Family that has a member with special needs. The Army Community Service Exceptional Family Member Program is here to ease the transition.
"EFMP assists the Soldier in being mission ready by assigning the Soldier and Family to an installation that can readily meet the Family member's known medical, mental health and/or educational needs. Without this prior planning, the Family may or may not have access to the care that they need," said Cinda Holloway, ACS EFMP manager.
EFMP is tasked with the enrollment processes as well as answering queries for service availability from the reassignment branch manager. ACS EFMP assists with identification and coordination of services, provides classes, programs and support groups to enhance the lives of Family members.
"ACS partners with civilian agencies to bring services on post, to assist with finding services here at Fort Leonard Wood and at their gaining installation. ACS also provides educational advocacy," Holloway said.
Respite care through a Department of the Army contract is available to Families who meet the eligibility, which "can provide relief from daily special needs caregiving," she added.
For Holloway, success is helping the Families she serves.
She said she recently assisted a Family with finding the support services they needed to care for their specia-needs child.
"They were overwhelmed with the basics in care and did not know where to turn or how to go about helping their Family member. Together we were able to locate and acquire local services, link with other Families with similar needs, develop a comprehensive educational support plan and obtain respite care for the parents," Holloway said.
"ACS EFMP helps Families improve their lives by helping them learn there are always non-traditional ways to acquire the traditional things they need in life. We want Families to gain independence in their own lives and to be able to tackle whatever comes their way through a special need," she added.
The EFMP manager at ACS can be contacted by telephone at 573.596.0131 ext. 60212 or is located in Building 486, Replacement Ave.
For questions about a particular medical service and availability, contact the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital EFMP advisor 573.596.0131 ext. 60049.
(Editor's note: This year marks 50 years that Army Community Service has been supporting service members, civilian employees and their Families. In honor of the organization's golden anniversary, the GUIDON is highlighting different ACS programs until their birthday in July.)
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