Making a difference through the Exceptional Family Member Program

  • Published
  • By Adreinne H. Barnett
  • Exceptional Family Member Program
SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) --  As a civilian employee of the Air Force, I once thought my previous position of training and curriculum specialist in the Child Youth Program was the best job. Since transitioning to my new job helping families through the Exceptional Family Member Program at Joint Base Andrews, that thought has changed.

EFMP-Family Support is the community support component that is provided by EFMP coordinators in the Airman & Family Readiness Center located on each installation. EFMP-FS provides services and support that focus on life-span needs, from infancy to geriatric.

As one of the 35 new EFMP-FS coordinators hired by the Air Force to improve the focus of assisting families in need, I take my job seriously as I put on a friendly face while assisting families in dealing with many of the challenging topics they face. I strive to give no less than "exceptional service to exceptional families."

One of my focuses is advocating with families, while empowering them to navigate through systems, so that when they move to a new location they can take the skills with them to aid in a smooth transition for themselves and their exceptional family member.

As an EFMP-FS coordinator, I plan activities in which families with exceptional family members are able to meet, talk with and gain support from other families that may be experiencing some of the same challenges.

Through networking with various agencies both on and off base, I am able to refer families to support and services with which they may not be familiar, but to which they are entitled.

The Air Force's Exceptional Family Member Program provides support to military families with special developmental, educational or medical needs, or that have family members with disabilities. EFMP is offered by all branches of the military, with each service providing a variety of personnel and medical and family support that function under the EFMP umbrella.

Enrollment in EFMP is mandatory in that the goal is to protect federal entitlements and military benefits of an exceptional family member as they move to a new location with their active duty or Department of Defense civilian sponsor.

When it is time for a family to move, I get to be part of that process as well. If you've had to take your family to an overseas destination, EFMP has played a role. EFMP assists all military families in helping to determine if they have any special needs issues that must be taken into account at the gaining installation. I have at times called the gaining base EFMP-FS to let them know that an exceptional family member is on their way.

The EFMP support provided by the Air Force Medical Services is the special needs identification assignment coordination process. To insure an integrated process, the EFMP-Medical, EFMP-FS and assignment branch at the Air Force Personnel Center work together to provide comprehensive and coordinated medical, educational, housing, personnel, and community support services to families with exceptional needs. All three functions interface with other military and civilian agencies to enhance the quality of life and the well being of Air Force and Department of Defense families as they move around the world.

I enjoy assisting families with support so that their efforts can be spent concentrating on completing their Air Force mission and building strong family bonds and relationships. Every night, I sleep well knowing that I have made a positive impact on a family.