When you have a family member with special needs, you may have special considerations that require additional steps or resources to care for your family. Exceptional Family Member Program Family Support is here to help — assisting with special education, financial planning, child care and much more to help your family thrive.

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Family-to-Family Health Information Centers

Family-to-Family Health Information Centers are nonprofit organizations familiar with the issues facing families with special needs. They can connect you to resources that can provide and finance health care for your children, help locate assistance, and explain legislation.

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Special Needs Consultants: How They Can Help

Special needs consultants through Military OneSource can answer your questions and concerns about the medical care and education of your child or adult family member with special needs.

Caretaker with elderly patient
Respite Care Services for Families With Special Needs
Taking care of a family member with special needs can be more than a full-time job. As a parent and/or caregiver, it’s natural to want to give your all to your loved one, but everyone needs a break, whether that’s to go to an appointment, run err...
Family laughing and playing outside with their son with special needs
Financial Planning and Assistance for Families with Special Needs

When you have a family member with special needs, financial planning is vital. Be prepared to take good care of your family member by tackling the money issues today.

Young child playing in child care center
10 Questions to Ask Child Care Providers for Your Child With Special Needs

Finding a great child care provider is like finding a new member of your military family. After all, your child will spend a significant amount of time there each week, and what happens at daycare can impact what happens at home.

Children playing.
Indoor Fun Helps Military Families Beat Cabin Fever

There will always be days when cold or rainy weather keep everyone indoors. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to fight cabin fever. Here are 11 tried-and-tested activities that can help children burn off energy, learn basic skills and have a good time.

Happy family with differently abled son
Keep Your Relationship Strong: 8 Tips for Military Parents Raising Children With Special Needs

Research shows raising a child with special needs can test a marriage. As a military family you have a strong foundation to work from, but the ability to depend on one another and teamwork are key.

Child playing with bubbles
10 Outdoor Games Your Children Will Love

Kids love playing outdoors, but that doesn’t mean you have to go to the park every day. Here are 10 outdoor activities that can help your children burn off energy, learn basic skills and have a good time.

Family relaxing with holiday socks
6 Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress for Families With Special Needs

The holidays are packed with fun, food, festivities and, for some of us, – stress. For families with special needs, the unfamiliar sounds, smells and visitors can sometimes be disruptive. Minimize your stress this holiday season with six simple strategies for keeping your family member engaged and calm. Be prepared and put the fun back into your festivities.

Adult working with young female with special needs
Free Legal Support for Military Families With Special Needs

As a military family with special needs, you may face unique financial, medical and legal challenges caused, in part, by the demands of military service. Fortunately, you do not need to address these burdens alone; free, military department-provided support services exist to help overcome these challenges.

Mother with special needs child
Special Needs Considerations When You Separate or Retire From the Military

Preparing for your separation or retirement from the military with a special needs family member may require additional consideration. Develop a plan using available support, tools and resources.

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Child Care Options For Military Families With Special Needs

Finding the right care for your child with special needs starts with asking the right questions. The military offers quality, affordable child care options, both on the installation and off.

Children running outside
Keeping Your Child Healthy and Engaged Over the Summer

A little leisure is much needed when school lets out; however, children with special needs thrive with a little structure. It’s beneficial to maintain a routine during the summer as a way to keep your child learning and developing healthy habits.

Mom on computer beside special needs child
Spring Clean Your EFMP SCOR

Keeping your Special Care Organizational Record organized and up to date makes it easy for you to use and ready if someone needs to step into your role as a caregiver.

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Help Improve Support for Families with Special Needs

Families with special needs can offer feedback about their recent experiences with the Exceptional Family Member Program Family Support services by using the EFMP Family Support Feedback Tool.

Service member filling out tax form
Tax Breaks for Families With Special Needs

If you are filing taxes on behalf of yourself or a family member with special needs, you may be eligible for certain tax breaks.

Men in wheelchairs playing basketball
Helping Family Members With Special Needs Meet Their Fitness Goals

Getting in shape, eating better and exercising regularly helps us lower stress, improve self-esteem and our general well-being. Individuals with special needs often share in these same goals and can achieve their health and fitness goals with the help of an adaptive fitness and nutrition plan.

Man in wheelchair emptying dishwasher
Understanding Accessible Housing: The Fair Housing Act

An accessible home is one that allows its occupant to do what he or she wants and needs to do, as independently as possible. If you or someone in your family is disabled, your home may need specific modifications to make it accessible for daily living.