Exceptional Family Member Program

Managing the care and services for a family member with special needs can be easier with the right support. The Exceptional Family Member Program strives to help your military family with special needs thrive in military life.

EFMP is more than just one program or connection point. It’s the work of three components:

• Identification and Enrollment
• Assignment Coordination
• Family Support

EFMP provides resources to support your MilLife journey that include:

• Special needs consultations
• EFMP & Me checklists
• Office of Special Needs EFMP podcast series

If your spouse, child or other dependent family member requires ongoing medical or educational services, your first step is to enroll in EFMP. Enrollment is mandatory. Once enrolled, you will have access to the services, support and information that will help you become your family’s best advocate.

As part of EFMP Identification and Enrollment, EFMP Medical staff on your installation will provide support and help to coordinate identification and enrollment into EFMP. You can also request a referral to TRICARE to request a review for eligibility for the TRICARE Extended Care Health Option which may provide additional medical support services for family members with complex medical needs.

Take time to learn more about the program and how it can benefit your family.

To learn more about EFMP and support available to your family, reach out to your local EFMP Family Support office. EFMP Family Support providers play a critical role in providing information, referral, family needs assessments, and family service plans to help you achieve the goals that are unique to your family. The program connects you with the resources, expert consultation, education and community support you need so you can be your family’s best advocate. Get access to services and support in the manner that works best for your family.

Enrollment in EFMP comes with special considerations for military families with special needs. EFMP Family Support providers offer information and referrals and assists families as they navigate needed medical and educational services at their present, as well as new duty stations. Families can contact their EFMP Family Support provider to request a warm handoff to the gaining installation to ease their PCS transition. While the military mission is the driving force behind the assignment process, enrollment in EFMP ensures that your family member’s special needs are considered during the assignment coordination process.

EFMP strives to continually enhance services and have transparent communication with service members and families with special needs. The program is committed to improving EFMP to establish more standard procedures across the services to make it easier for families to find what they need, when they need it.