- Systems Navigators. Systems navigators are ACS EFMP staff members available on most Army installations. They assist EFMP Families with navigating through the available systems of care.
- EFMP Newsletter. The Exceptional Advocate is the DoD’s EFMP newsletter, which includes helpful information and resources.
- Military OneSouce. Military OneSource’s EFMP & Me tool allows Families to explore the details of EFMP benefits and processes.
- DirectSTEP. DirectSTEP® eCourses are available for free to Soldiers and Family Members, Army EFMP staff, and Special Education staff associated with teaching military children. DirectSTEP® eCourses teach staff, parents, and educators how to handle critical education issues to obtain positive outcomes.
- Respite Care Support. The Army’s Respite Care Support services provide a temporary rest period for Family members responsible for regular care of persons with disabilities. Care may be provided in the EFM respite care user’s home.
- Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR). CPIR serves as a central resource of information and products to the community of Parent Training Information (PTI) Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers, so they can focus their efforts on serving Families of children with disabilities.
- American Camp Association (ACA). The ACA is a community of camp professionals who join together to share their knowledge and experience and ensure the quality of camp programs, including those for Exceptional Family Members.
- Who must enroll in the program?
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The following Soldiers with Exceptional Family Members must enroll in the program:
1. Active Duty Army
2. U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Soldiers in the USAR-Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program and other USAR Soldiers on active duty exceeding 30 days.
3. Army National Guard personnel serving under authority of Title 10, United States Code and Title 32, United States Code. Department of the Army civilian employees do not enroll in the program. However, they must identify Family members with special education and medically related service needs each time they process for an assignment to a location outside of the United States where Family member travel is authorized at Government expense.
- How does a Soldier enroll in the program?
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The Soldier contacts the nearest medical treatment facility EFMP point of contact to begin the assessment process and to obtain the enrollment forms: DD Form 2792 (Medical), DD Form 2792-1 (Special Education). Once the forms are completed, they are forwarded to the appropriate regional medical center for coding and on to Army personnel agencies who enroll the Soldier into the program.
For information about Enrollment and Family Member Traveling Screening, click here.
- Does enrollment have any impact on the Soldiers career?
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Enrollment in EFMP does not adversely affect selection for promotion, schools, or assignment. Information concerning enrollment in EFMP or any of the data used in the program is not made available to selection boards.
- What are the benefits of enrollment of the program?
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Enrollment allows assignment managers at Army personnel agencies to consider the documented medical and special education needs of Exceptional Family Members in the assignment process. When possible, Soldiers are assigned to an area where the medical and special education needs of the Exceptional Family Member can be met. This will depend on the valid personnel requirement for the Soldier’s grade, specialty and eligibility for the tour. All Soldiers are still eligible for worldwide assignments.
- Are special education needs considered in military personnel assignments?
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Special education needs are only considered in assignments outside the United States. Assignments within the United States are not based on the educational needs of children. Every local school system must obey public laws regarding the provision of special education.
- Rights and Responsibilities
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Summary of Parents’ Rights
- You must be notified in writing before the school recommends or takes any action to change your child’s school program.
- You must give permission in writing to the school before it can rest your child to determine special education services.
- You must be allowed to examine and make copies of your child’s school records.
- Schools must provide you with a due process hearing at any point you feel your rights have been violated.
- You have the right to appeal to the state department of education and state level courts.
- You have a right to be reimbursed if they prevail.
Parent Responsibilities
- Be aware of all rights and resources.
- A review is required as the EFM condition changes or at least every three years, whichever comes first.
- Hand carry all medical records, Form 5888 and IEP’s when PCSing
- First Responders Partnership
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Would you like First Responders to visit your home for situational awareness? Click here for the request form.
The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) provides comprehensive support to Family members 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. EFMP pertains to active-duty Soldiers, US Army Reserve Soldiers in the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program, and Army National Guard AGR personnel serving under authority of 10 USC or 32 USC. Department of the Army Civilians do not enroll in the program.
EFMP takes an all-inclusive approach to coordinating military and civilian community, educational, medical, housing, and personnel services to help Soldiers and their Families with special needs. Enrollment in EFMP includes a wide array of benefits, detailed in the EFMP Benefits Fact Sheet.
EFMP enrollment does not adversely affect promotions, schools, or assignments. EFMP information is not made available to selection boards.
Soldiers with Exceptional Family Members are required to register for EFMP and keep enrollment information current. That 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 a medical records review for all Family members and developmental screening for all children 72 months and younger. (Special education needs are considered only in assignments outside the United States. Assignments within the US and its territories are not based on the educational needs of children.)
For more information about EFMP and helpful articles about the program, look at the Enterprise EFMP site. After that, contact the installation EFMP manager at your local Army Community Service (ACS) office. To learn more about medical enrollment, see the Program Overview.
EFMP Resources
Here are some helpful resources for EFMP Families.
(Government Links)
(Non-Government Links, No Endorsement Implied)
