EFMP: Support for Family Members With Special Needs

What it is

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) supports military families who have a family member with special medical or educational needs. That includes conditions like asthma that needs specialist care, autism, ADHD that needs ongoing services, mental health conditions, or a child with an IEP.

EFMP has three parts:

• Identification and enrollment: Medical and school records are screened to find needs.
• Assignment coordination: Before you move, the program checks whether the care your family needs is available at the new location.
• Family support: A case worker helps you find services, respite care, school help and community resources.

Who gets it

Active duty members must enroll a family member who meets the criteria. Guard and Reserve families can use family support services. Each service runs its own EFMP office, but DoD has been working to make the rules the same across branches.

How to use it

• Talk to your EFMP office or your family's doctor if you think a family member qualifies. The doctor fills out the medical forms; the school fills out the education forms.
• Update enrollment when needs change, and before overseas or remote moves.
• Meet your family support provider. Ask about respite care, local programs, and help with school transitions.
• Call Military OneSource and ask for a special needs consultation for free, one-on-one help.

What people miss

• It is not a career killer. The law and policy say EFMP status cannot be used against you for promotion or job choices. It is meant to match your family to places with the right care.
• Overseas screening. Every family going overseas goes through screening. Being unenrolled when you should be can delay or cancel a move.
• Respite care. Many families qualify for free hours of respite care through their branch. Ask your EFMP family support office.
• School help. Your installation School Liaison and EFMP office can help you move an IEP or 504 plan to a new school.
• TRICARE ECHO. The Extended Care Health Option can pay for extra services for qualifying active duty family members, like special education and some therapies.
• Early intervention. Babies and toddlers with developmental delays can get free early intervention services. Overseas, these come through the military's Educational and Developmental Intervention Services.
• Medicaid waiver waitlists. Many states have long waitlists for disability services. Some states let military families keep their place on the list when they move. Ask your family support provider about the rules in your new state.

A simple checklist

1. Gather medical and school records for the family member.
2. Ask your doctor and school to complete the EFMP forms.
3. Turn in the packet to your EFMP office and confirm you are enrolled.
4. Ask for a family support provider and write down their contact info.
5. Review enrollment every few years and before any PCS.

Related

See Child Care and Youth Programs, Military OneSource, and TRICARE Health Plans. For moving with special needs, see our PCS section.