What is Exceptional Family Member Program?
EFMP is a Department of Defense program offered by all branches of the military. It is a mandatory enrollment program for all active duty Service members who have a family member with special needs.
The program is comprised of three components: EFMP-Medical (EFMP-M), EFMP-Assignments (EFMP-A) and EFMP-Family Support (EFMP-FS) that work toward a common goal of providing comprehensive and coordinated support to families. EFMP-M supports the EFMP through screening, enrollment and assignment coordination through the Family Member Travel Screening. EFMP-A considers the medical and educational needs of the family when it has been determined that the required services are not available at the sponsor’s current or projected assignment location. EFMP-FS is based on Section 563(c) NDAA FY2010 (Public Law 111-84). Support is provided by the Military & Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) EFMP-FS coordinators to all DoD ID cardholders assigned to the installation or located in the community.
How do I know if my family member qualifies for EFMP?
DoDI 1315.19, Section 3 States
Individuals who meet one or more of the criteria below will be identified as a family member with special medical needs and enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program:
A. MEDICAL:
1. Potentially life-threatening conditions or chronic (duration of 6 months or longer) medical or physical conditions requiring one of the following:
a. Follow-up care from a PCM (to include pediatricians) more than once a year
b. Specialty care at any frequency
2. A diagnosis of asthma or other respiratory-related diagnosis with chronic recurring symptoms that involves one or more of the following:
a. Scheduled use of inhaled or oral anti-inflammatory agents or bronchodilators
b. History of ER use or clinic visits for acute asthma exacerbations or other respiratory-related diagnosis within the last year
c. History of one or more hospitalizations for asthma, or other respiratory-related diagnosis within the past 5 years.
B. MENTAL HEALTH: One of the following scenarios is found:
1. Current and chronic mental health condition
a. Chronic is defined as having a duration of 6 months or longer
2. Inpatient or intensive outpatient mental health services within the last 5 years
a. Intensive is defined as greater than one visit monthly for more than 6 months
b. This incorporates the possibility of medical care from any provider, including a PCM.
3. A diagnosis of attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder that involves one or more of the following:
a. Includes a co-morbid psychological diagnosis.
b. Requires multiple meds, psycho-pharmaceuticals (other than stimulants) or does not respond to normal doses of medication
c. Requires management and treatment by mental health provider
d. Requires the involvement of a specialty consultant, other than a primary care manager, more than twice a year on a chronic basis
e. Requires modifications of the educational curriculum or the use of behavioral management staff
C. ASSISTIVE NEEDS: A chronic condition that requires:
1. Adaptive equipment (i.e. apnea home monitor, home nebulizer, wheelchair, custom-fit orthotics, hearing aids, etc.)
2. Assistive technology devices (such as communication devices) or services
3. Environmental or architectural considerations (such as medically required limited steps, wheelchair accessibility, or housing modifications and air conditioning)
D. EDUCATIONAL: Family members of active duty Service members (regardless of location) will be identified as having special educational needs if they have or are found eligible for either:
1. An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
a. Covers children ages birth to third birthday
b. Services provided by the State in CONUS; Services provided by EDIS in OCONUS
2. An Individualized Education Program (IEP)
a. Covers children ages three to 21 (or high school graduate/General Equivalency Diploma)
b. Services provided by the State in CONUS; Services provided by DoDEA in OCONUS
How do I enroll in EFMP?
Enrollment in EFMP is mandatory and can happen in several ways. For full details on who / when enrollment can be initiated, visit this link. https://www.afpc.af.mil/Benefits-and-Entitlements/EFMP-Medical-Support/.
Locally, you will contact the EFMP-Medical Office:
Ms. Janet Horton-Vines
EFMP-M Special Needs Coordinator
COMM: 813-827-9909
DSN: 651-9909
Email: janet.g.horton-vines.ctr@mail.mil
Org Box: usaf.macdill.6-mdg.mbx.efmpm@mail.mil
Mr. Travis Bivins
Family Member Relocations Clearance - EFMP
DSN: 651-8999
COMM: 813-827-8999
travis.bivins@us.af.mil
NOTE: These are also your points of contact if you believe that your dependents no longer meet enrollment criteria.
What is EFMP Family Support and what do they do?
Exceptional Family Member Family Support helps service members and their families identify and access programs and services. This includes, but isn't limited to, the following:
- Information and referrals for military and community services
- Education and outreach
- Information about available local school and early intervention services
- Warm handoffs to the Exceptional Family Member Program at new locations
- Non-clinical case management, including individualized services plans
- What is information and referral? Information and referral includes:
- Helping families determine which community resources are appropriate to meet their needs
- Helping families effectively access resources, services and programs
- Following up to verify that families have connected with support services
- Checking with families about the effectiveness of resources
- Helping families work with TRICARE and access the extended care health option when appropriate.
EFMP-FS Coordinators provided non-clinical case management. This involves providing information and referrals to families and the people who help them make informed decisions and navigate resources. It also involves working together to improve families' quality of life by assisting the family with developing a Family Services Plan (this doesn't involve medical treatment coordination or follow-up).
Contact your EFMP Family Support Coordinators at the Military & Family Readiness Center: 813-828-0122 or 6FSS.FSH.EFMP@us.af.mil.
How can I get information on EFMP events and programs at MacDill AFB?
EFMP Family Support Coordinators at MacDill provide services to ALL service members of ANY branch of the military. We also support civilians, retirees, and contractors who have dependents with special needs. There are several ways to get information on events, programs, groups, and resources:
- Q-Coded sponsors (Air Force) emails are provided to EFMP FS Coordinators. If you’re Q-Coded and not getting emails, contact your EFMP-FS.
- Family members can email or call the EFMP Family Support Coordinator and asked to get placed in our email distribution list.
- Join our Facebook Group: MacDill AFB EFMP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1409983582582101/
Crucial Resources for EFMP families:
Military OneSource: Has various tools like EFMP & ME, the EFMP OSD Newsletter, Special Needs Consultations, and organizational products.
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/special-needs
MyVector Medical Provider Trend Tool: Sponsors can now view which bases have made travel recommendations based on location, diagnosis, and availability of care in the past two years. While it is not guaranteed that your EFMP screening will have the same outcome, it is a good planning tool. https://myvector.us.af.mil/myvector/Home