- EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program)
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The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) provides comprehensive support to family members with special needs. EFMP takes an all-inclusive approach to coordinate military and civilian community, educational, medical, housing, and personnel services to help Soldiers and their Families with special needs.
An Exceptional Family Member is a Family member with any physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual disorder that requires special treatment, therapy, education, training, or counseling, and meets the eligibility criteria.
Soldiers* with Exceptional Family Members are required to register for EFMP and keep enrollment information current. This way, Family needs will be considered during the OCONUS assignments process.
If you’re eligible for EFMP services, Family members must be screened and enrolled when they accompany authorized Soldiers on OCONUS assignments. Screenings include medical records review for all Family members and developmental screening for all children aged 72 months and younger.
For more information about EFMP, contact the EFMP point of contact through your nearest Army medical treatment facility.
*Who must enroll in the program?
(1) Active Army
(2) U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Soldiers in the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program
(3) Army National Guard (ARNG) AGR personnel serving under authority of 10 USC and 32 USC.
Department of the Army civilian employees do not enroll in the program.
You must identify dependent children with special education and medically related service needs and, Family members with medical needs each time they process for an assignment to a location outside the United States, where Family member travel is authorized at government expense.
- Who is an Exceptional Family Member (EFM)?
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An EFM is a Soldier’s immediate Family member (child or adult), regardless of age, with any physical, emotional, developmental, behavioral, mental, or intellectual disorder that requires special treatment, therapy, education, training, or counseling on an on-going basis. The following are examples of common diagnoses for EFMP enrollment. The provided list is not all-inclusive, but only represents the most common diagnoses for enrollment.
- Asthma
- Attention Deficit Disorders
- Emotional Disorders
- Cerebral Palsy
- Down Syndrome
- Developmental Delays
- Spina Bifida
- Epilepsy
- Deafness
- AIDS
- Behavioral Health Disorders
- Orthopedically Impaired
- Speech Impaired
- Leukemia
- Diabetes
- Autism
- Heart Conditions
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Visual Impairment
- Hearing Impairment
- Learning Disabilities
- DirectSTEP® Training
- Air Force EFMP
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If an Air Force member has a family member with special needs, they can receive help from the Exceptional Family Member Program. Special needs may include developmental delays, chronic medical/mental conditions and/or physical impairments. The EFMP ensures all active-duty families are located at bases that can provide the medical, mental health or educational services they need while allowing the Airman to meet the mission. Airmen coming to Fort Gordon can contact the Medical Liaison Technician in the GCHQ Bldg. 28423 at +1 (762)206-9015 with any questions in regards to EFMP or to help coordinate care.
- Respite Care
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Respite care provides a temporary rest period for Family members providing care of persons with disabilities. Respite care is not an entitlement or guaranteed benefit – it is based on the availability of funding and the severity of the medical condition.
Required Forms:
- DA Form 5189 – Application for Respite Care
- DA Form 4700 – Supplemental Medical Data
- Systems Navigation
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Systems Navigation connects Families with the systems of care they need, both on and off the installation. All EFMs are eligible for Systems Navigation. The Fort Gordon Systems Navigator is located in our EFMP office and is available at +1 (706)791-9707.
- Local Resources
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- Richmond County Schools Special Education
- Columbia County Schools Special Services
- Aiken County Schools Special Programs
- Parent to Parent of Georgia
- Babies Can’t Wait
- School Liaison
- Augusta Magazine Camp Guide
- Augusta Magazine Special Kids Resource Guide
- Legal Support For EFMP Families
- Additional Legal Information
- Forms and Publications
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- DD Form 2792 – Family Member Medical Summary
- DD Form 2792-1 – Special Education/Early Intervention Summary
- DA Form 7415 – EFMP Querying Sheet
- DA Regulation 608-75 – EFMP
- EFM PCS Checklist
- EFM Authorization to Transfer File
- Family Needs Assessment
- Extended Care Health Option (ECHO)
