- 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.
- Common Misconceptions of Program Enrollment
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“I will be forced into assignments that will hinder promotions and career opportunities” Enrollment cannot prejudice advancement or career opportunities of sponsors. The sponsor has the option of accepting an assignment while the Family is supported in another location.
“As an EFMP sponsor, I cannot be deployed"
The program has no impact on the deployment responsibilities of the sponsor. Overseas unaccompanied, unit deployments, and standard deployments must be carried out without interruption. A Family Care Plan is the means to provide for a Family member with special needs when the Soldier is deployed, TDY, or otherwise not available because of military duty. To learn more about Family Care Plans, please consult your Commander or visit Military One Source.“Enrollment in the program will allow me to select a duty station"
The program ensures that the sponsor will be assigned to a location where appropriate services exist. Branch will begin the nominative process and Family enrollment information will be forwarded to the gaining installation medical treatment facility’s EFMP point-of-contacts, who will assess area resources based on enrolled conditions. If services are available, the assignment process will move forward.“I will not be eligible for an overseas accompanied assignment as an EFMP sponsor"
Overseas screening is the same for all Families anticipating accompanied orders. If the special needs of the Family member can be met by the gaining installation, an accompanied assignment may be authorized. - On and off post agencies and support groups
- Educational workshops and recreational activities
- Relocation services
- Support counseling for family members
- Respite care services
- Administrative assistance with deletions and deferments of assignments
- Educational and medical advocacy for needed services
- Facilitating exceptions to policy for housing
- Identify your EFM and Family strengths and needs
- Provide Special Education guidance and support including assistance with IEPs and 504 plans
- Help prioritize your EFM and Family goals by developing a Family Service Plan
- Provide information about disabilities or medical conditions of concern
- Provide information on available and/or services in the community.
- Identify support groups and social activities
- Strengthen your ability to advocate for your EFM
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)
Important Phone Number
RACH EFMP Coordinator (Enrollment/Screenings) +1 (580) 558-8229
EFMP Family Support
ACS EFMP offers the following information, referral, and family support:
Systems Navigation Services
Systems Navigation is a family support component of the EFMP that connects Families with special needs to the systems of care they need, both on and off the installation.
How can an EFMP Systems Navigator help your Family?
Systems Navigators also assist Families who are transitioning from the program, due to retirement, separation from the military, transition to Title 32 status, or transition to another duty station.
Multi-Disciplinary Inclusion Action Team (MIAT)
Multidisciplinary Inclusion Action Team (MIAT) is required when enrolling a child with disabilities in CYS Services. To ensure the child’s health and safety needs are met in the center programs, the MIAT process supports the Family, EFMP, and CYS Service staff in working together to develop a support plan and implement appropriate accommodations. For more information about MIAT, call CYS Services Parent Central Services at +1 (580)442-3927.
Important Phone Numbers
EFMP Program Manager: (Family Support) +1 (580)442-6818 or +1 (580)442-4916
Systems Navigator: (Family Support) +1 (580) 442-0670 or +1 (580)442-4916
Facts and Features (Facebook Live)
First Thursday of every month from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Facts and Features offers EFMP families and the Fort Sill community the opportunity to learn from and interact with subject matter experts on educational and activity-based topics. Join us through the Fort Sill EFMP FB Group and the Fort Sill ACS Facebook Page to participate!
Support Group
EFMP Social Connections
Meets virtually the third Tuesday of each month from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. For additional details or to register for this support group, call +1 (580) 442-0670 or +1 (580)442-4916.
