FORT LEE, Va. (June 18, 2015) -- When you hear the acronym EFMP do you immediately feel the anxiety of the long process you are about to endure? Well, fear no more.
The Exceptional Family Member Program at Fort Lee allows the military to match the family members' special needs with the gaining command's available medical and educational resources.
EFMP is referred to as an "umbrella" program because it requires the collaboration of many components, such as but not limited to medical; military personnel; housing; Child, Youth, and School Service programs; Army Community Service; and community recreation for optimum special needs service. The EFMP Golden Mandate is to ensure that whatever special needs exists for the family member will be available wherever that family member may be sent.
Soldiers must ensure their family member's EFMP enrollment is current within three years of the last enrollment or when medical or educational changes occur.
Medical enrollment is completed by the family member's physician and educational enrollment is completed either by the school or early intervention service provider, all of which begins when visiting the EFMP office at Kenner Army Health Clinic.
Families often confuse EFMP family support and medical roles. ACS helps families navigate through what can be a very complex maze of services and links families to local, state and national resources. These services can include respite care, education services, and support groups that provide medical and educational continuity. ACS provides information and referrals based on family needs during all phases of relocation and during tour of duty.
The medical EFMP component at KAHC is responsible for enrollment issues, travel acceptance to Fort Lee and screening family members for overseas travel.
Once the medical enrollment (DD Form 2792) and or educational enrollment (DD Form 2792-1) is completed by the attending physicians, educators or early intervention specialists, families hand carry the documents to Kenner's EFMP office located on the second floor of the clinic in room 202.
Making the right assignment the first time not only prevents the early return of family members and additional relocation costs, but enhances readiness. If the special need no longer exists and can be officially documented on the EFMP enrollment forms, a disenrollment may occur; however, the gaining command will make the final determination as to whether family members accompany the sponsor. Soldiers may perceive these monitoring procedures as road blocks to assignments, but the challenges that ensue when services cannot be provided far outweigh changing an assignment.
Both EFMP coordinators at Kenner are available to respond to enrollment queries on a walk-in basis Monday thru Friday 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed for lunch noon -1 p.m.).
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