MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Exceptional Family Member Program is designed to assist family members who have physical, emotional, developmental or intellectual needs.
EFMP is also a Department of Defense mandated enrollment program that utilizes an all-inclusive approach to coordinating educational, medical, housing and personnel services to help service members with families that have special needs.
“From contractors to civilians, to active-duty or retired service members, we will provide services, information and resources to them,” said Rut-Anne Srun, an EFMP family support coordinator. “And although we are Air Force EFMP family support coordinators, we help out all military service members.”
Personnel who have family members with special medical or educational needs lasting longer than six months are required to enroll in the program. This includes children, spouses and dependent adults who require special medical services for a chronic condition, receive ongoing services from a medical specialist, have significant behavioral health concerns, and/or receive early intervention or special education services.
“As a family support coordinator, we conduct family needs assessments and service plans to make sure that the individual family gets all the services they need,” said Srun. “Also, we coordinate events, workshops and training that enrich the life of our families with special needs.”
With April designated as the “Month of the Military Child”, the EFMP family coordinators have scheduled a few events to encourage families new to the EFMP, and newcomers to MacDill AFB to attend.
Upcoming scheduled events include the EFMP Orientation Course, a transition class with information and service to help EFMP children transition into adulthood and EFMP connect groups for all family members.
According to Srun, the EFMP at MacDill AFB services more than 1,000 families and helps military families in three significant ways: assignment coordination, medical and family support.
“What we can do as non-medical case managers is provide information and referrals to on-and-off base resources,” said Srun. “We also provide our incoming families with information and resources to allow a smooth transition from one base to another,” said Srun.” For active duty service members, moving is part of the job. As a result, families with special needs can receive expedited assignment coordination that takes medical documentation into consideration.”
The next parent connect group is scheduled on April 15, and it covers the topic of creating schedules for children or adolescents. On April 21 there is also a meet & greet with “free fun kits” that include Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math magnetic kit, sensory toys, coloring supplies and other gifts. This event doesn’t require registration
For any questions or assistance with EFMP, call (813) 828-0122 or visit EFMP Family Support at the Military and Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 18, located at 8105 Condor Street.