What is the Exceptional Family Member Program?
The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory enrollment
program that is based on public law and Department of Defense mandates. It
works with other military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive and
coordinated medical, educational, housing, community support, and personnel
services to families with special needs.
Who must enroll in the program?
The following groups of Soldiers with Exceptional Family Members (EFM’s) are
required to enroll in the program:
- Active Army.
- U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Soldiers in the USAR-Active Guard Reserve (AGR)
program and other USAR Soldiers on active duty exceeding 30 days.
- Army National Guard AGR personnel serving under the authority of Title
10, United States Code and Title 32, United States Code.
- Department of Army civilian employees do not enroll in the program.
However, they must identify dependent children with special education and
medically related service needs and family members with medical needs when
processing for an assignment to a location outside the United States where
family member travel is authorized at Government expense.
How does a Soldier enroll in the program?
The Soldier contacts the nearest Army military treatment facility EFMP point
of contact to begin the assessment process and obtain the enrollment forms.
Once the forms are completed, they are forwarded to the appropriate regional
medical center for coding and on to Army personnel agencies to enroll the
Soldier in the program. At Fort Wainwright, contact Ms. Cathy Binder, EFMP
Medical Chief, at Bassett Army Community Hospital, telephone 907-361-5711,
and leave a message for EFMP enrollment consult.
How long is the Soldier enrolled in the program?
Soldiers are enrolled permanently in the program unless a change in a
family member’s medical or special education needs warrant case closure or
the Soldier is separated from the Army. Soldiers are responsible for keeping
their EFM’s medical and/or special education documentation current. A review
is required as the EFM’s condition changes or at least every three years,
whichever comes first.
Does enrollment have an impact on a Soldier’s career?
Information about enrollment is not given to selection boards.
Therefore, it does not adversely affect a Soldier’s selection for promotion.
Who is an Exceptional Family Member?
An Exceptional Family Member is a family member (child or adult) with
physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual disorder that requires
special treatment, therapy, education, training, or counseling.
What are criteria for enrollment?
Family members with serious or chronic medical problems, physical
disabilities, and mental health disorders (such as ADD/ADHD, allergies,
asthma, autism, cerebral palsy, chronic fatigue, cystic fibrosis,
depression, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, mental health counseling, visually
impaired).
Family members that require intensive follow-up support (such as high-risk
newborns, cancer patients).
Family members that require early intervention or special education
services.
Why enroll in the EFMP?
Early enrollment in the EFMP is the Soldier’s guarantee that the Army will
do its best to match the Soldier’s grade and specialty with a location that
can provide support the special needs of the EFM(s). Soldiers who are
enrolled are still subject to worldwide assignment and, just like any other
Soldier, may be called upon to serve an unaccompanied tour.
All family members must be screened for special needs before obtaining
command sponsorship at a location outside the continental United States (OCONUS).
Are special education needs always considered in the assignment process?
Special education needs are only considered in assignments outside the
United States. Assignments within our 50 States and Trust Territories are
not based on the educational needs of children. Every local school system
has provisions for special education programs.
Early intervention programs are also available through the community for
children from birth up to three years of age who are diagnosed with or at
risk for developmental delays. Child-find services are available for older
children.
Are special education needs always
considered in the assignment process?
Special education needs are only considered in
assignments outside the United States.
Assignments within our 50 States and Trust
Territories are not based on the educational
needs of children. Every local school system has
provisions for special education programs.
Early intervention programs are also available
through the community for children from birth up
to three years of age who are diagnosed with or
at risk for developmental delays. Child-find
services are available for older children.
What EFMP services are available to me?
- Advocacy Relocation Assistance
- Community Recreation Resource Directory
- Housing Modification Requests Respite Care
- Information and Referral School Liaison
- Legal Support Groups
- Lending Library Workshops and Classes
- Medical and/or Counseling Services
US Army Medical Activity Alaska
Alaska EFMP Special Needs Advisor
907 361-5825
US Army Medical Activity Alaska
Ft. Richardson, MTF, 907 384-7514
TriCare
Military Treatment Facility
3rd Medical Group
Elmendorf AFB, AK
Main: 907 580-6400
Appt line: 907 580-2778(APPT)
Ft. Wainwright School Liaison - Fort Wainwright
Joan York joa.york@us.army.mil 361-9377
Lynda Goodwin 361-9897
Lynd.goodwin@us.army.mil
Fairbanks North Star Borough
http://www.co.fairbanks.ak.us
Alaska Autism Resource
Center
Toll free: 866 301-7372, 907 334-1300
Asthma & Allergy Foundation of Alaska
Toll free: 800 651-4914, 907 696-4810
Military Child Education Coalition
Respite Care Program
AKO
