The Exceptional Family Member Program

When you're moving, your to-do list can seem long enough to fill a packing box. But if your family has special medical or educational needs, help is available before, during and after your move. Enrollment in the Exceptional Family Member Program provides military families with special needs consideration during the assignment process and access to support services to help navigate the medical and educational system.

The Exceptional Family Member Program has three components:

• Identification and enrollment of a family member with special medical or educational needs

• Assignment coordination to determine the availability of services at the projected duty station

• Support to help families identify and access programs and services

Who should enroll in the program?

Family members with special medical or educational needs should enroll in the EFMP including spouses, children and dependent adults who:

• Require special medical services for a chronic condition such as asthma, attention deficit disorder, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, etc.

• Receive ongoing services from a medical specialist

• Have significant behavioral health concerns

• Receive early intervention or special education services through an individualized education program or individualized family service plan

Why enroll in the program?

Enrollment in the EFMP ensures that family members' documented medical and educational needs receive consideration during the assignment coordination process. Through the EFMP family support office, families can receive assistance with navigating military and community support systems.

How do families enroll in the program?

Families can enroll by obtaining paperwork from the EFMP medical point of contact at their local military treatment facility, or, in the Marine Corps, from Marine Corps Community Services. The forms for enrollment are:

• Department of Defense Form 2792, "Family Member Medical Summary." The service member, spouse or adult family member completes the first page to document medical needs. The family member's physician or other qualified medical professional completes the rest and includes the diagnosis, frequency of care, medication and any special accommodations the family member requires.

• Department of Defense Form 2792-1, "Special Education/Early Intervention Summary." The sponsor, parent or legal guardian completes items one through seven of the first page to document educational needs. School or early intervention program personnel complete the remainder of the form, which includes the child's educational diagnosis. A copy of the individualized education program or individual family service plan pairs with the form.

What is assignment coordination?

The military mission is the driving force behind the assignment process, but enrollment in the EFMP ensures that family members' documented needs are considered in the process. Assignment coordination occurs when the personnel command requests that Department of Defense medical or educational professionals review a family member's documented needs to determine availability of services at a projected location. Assignment coordination is important because access to appropriate medical and educational services may be limited in some areas, especially in overseas and remote locations.

What is family support?

The EFMP family support function helps families identify and access programs and services. Family support includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Information and referral for military and community services

• Warm handoffs to the EFMP at the next location

• Nonclinical case management

What is the role of the family support provider?

The role of the family support provider includes:

• Helping families on the path to empowerment by providing information and referral services, non-medical case management, education and other supports

• Helping relocating families pinpoint and navigate formal programs and services and informal supports

• Bridging gaps in programs, services and support by informing families on what is available, and how to apply for benefits and entitlements

How do families access family support?

Access the EFMP family support by visiting or calling your local installation Military and Family Support Center or by contacting Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 and asking for a referral to a special needs consultant.

How can families help ease the transition to a new school system following a move?

In addition to the support available from the installation Military and Family Support Centers and Military OneSource consultants, MilitaryINSTALLATIONS provides some suggestions for making the transition easier as your child enters a new school system following a move to a new duty station. The article, "Preparing for Your Move," provides tips for what to do prior to and after your move to help create a smooth transfer between schools.

Additionally, military families can learn about the Education Directory for Children with Special Needs for information on special-needs issues and listings of national and local resources for early intervention (for infants and toddlers) and special education (for school-age children) services.

The School Liaison Officer serves as a conduit of school information and is the primary point of contact for public and private school matters.

Mission:
The mission of the School Liaison Officer is to eliminate barriers and build bridges for the academic success of military dependent children through networks and partnerships with our local and global communities.

Vision:
A community in which military and civilian partners work hand in hand to successfully educate and advocate for the military child.

Goals:

• Understand and identify barriers to quality education for military dependent children in this area and develop solutions.
• Seek to promote and educate the installation, parents, our Shaw/Sumter community and schools about the unique needs of military children.
• Make connections to partners who can provide support and assistance for military families and their educational needs.
• Communicate information to allow families to effectively advocate for their children in the educational setting.

South Carolina has several options for educating your children including Public, Private, Virtual, and Home Schools. The School Liaison Officer can help you:

• Advocate for your child
• As an intermediary to resolve issues
• Understand South Carolina educational requirements
• Understand district policies
• Make PCS moves smooth when moving with school-aged children
• Discover educational options
• Find educational resources
• Understand the Interstate Compact

The School Liaison Officer provides the following:

• Handbook for Parents with School-Aged Children
• Monthly Educational Newsletter
• Scholarship information for high school students
• Information on resources for students with special needs
• Information to help educators work with military children
• Checklist for transitioning students
• School district calendars
• District sports physical forms
• School supply listings
• Deployment resources

Links to PUBLIC and PRIVATE Schools

http://district.sumterschools.net/
www.berea22.adventistschoolconnect.org
www.stannesumter.com
www.sfxhs.com
www.sumteracademy.net
www.sumterchristian.org
www.thomassumter.org
www.wcasumter.org
www.williamthomasacademy.org
www.wilsonhall.org
www.camdenmilitary.com
www.laurencemanning.com

Other Helpful Sites

http://ed.sc.gov/
http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp
http://www.schoolmatters.org
http://www.militarystudent.org
www.mic3.net
http://www.militarychild.org

Important Phone Numbers