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Exceptional Family Member Program

The Exceptional Family Member Program Enrollment

"Sea Dragons" Swim Program

Soldiers Clearing Fort Hood

EFMP Orientation

Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP)

Summer Camp

EFMP Parent to Parent

Support Groups

Parent Education Advocacy Program (PEAP)

Resource Links

The Exceptional Family Member Program
The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory enrollment program that works with other military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive and coordinated medical, educational, housing, community support, and personnel services to Families with special needs. The EFMP is a Department of the Army Program which functions under the provisions of Army Regulation AR 608-75. It is designed to assist active duty personnel during assignments/reassignments sponsoring Exceptional Family Members (EFM) with special physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual needs.  In a dual military Family, both Soldiers must be enrolled. Enrollment is based upon the medical and educational requirements of Family members of active duty military personnel. Enrollment updates are required every 3 years or if the condition changes. See Memorandum!

Enrollment allows the Army, during the assignment process, to consider the documented medical and special education needs of EFMs. This will depend on a valid personnel requirement for the Soldier’s grade, specialty, and eligibility for the tour.  All Soldiers are still eligible for worldwide assignments.  When possible, Soldiers are assigned to locations where the medical and special education needs of their EFM can be met.

Who is an Exceptional Member (EFM)?
An EFM is a Soldier’s immediate Family member (child or adult), regardless of age, with any physical, emotional, developmental, behavioral, mental, or intellectual disorder that requires special treatment, therapy, education, training, or counseling on an on-going basis.

AIDS	Allergies	Alcohol
ADHD	Alzheimer's	Arthritis
Aplastic Asthma	Autism	Apnea Monitors
Amputees	Artificial Prosthesis	Blind
Brain Tumor	Burns	Cancer
Cleft Palate	Cocaine	Cocaine
Cystic Fibrosis	Down Syndrome	Depression
Developmentally Delayed	Diabetes	Epilepsy
Endometriosis	Heart Conditions	Hearing Impairment
Head Injury	Huntingtons Disease	Liver Problems
Lupus	Migraines	Osteoporosis
Organ Transplant	Spinal Cord Injury	Sickle Cell Disease
Spina Bifidia	Speech Problems/Stuttering	Special Education
Skin Disorder	Sclerosis	Paralysis

Who must enroll in the EFMP?
The following Soldiers with exceptional Family members must enroll in the program:

• Active Army
• U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Soldiers in the USAR Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) Program and any reserve component Soldiers on active duty exceeding 30 days
• Army National Guard AGR personnel serving under authority of Title 10, United States Code

Department of the Army Civilians

DA civilian employees with EFMs do not enroll in EFMP.  However, they are required to identify Family members with special education and medically related service needs each time they process for an assignment to a location outside of the United States where dependent travel is authorized at Government expense. 

Does Enrollment have any Impact on the Soldier’s Career?

Enrollment in EFMP does not adversely affect selection for promotion, schools, or assignments.  Information concerning enrollment in the EFMP or any of the data used in the program is confidential and is not made available to selection boards.

Are Special Education Needs Considered In the Military Personnel Assignment Process?

Special education needs are considered only for assignments outside of the United States.  Assignments within our 50 States and Trust Territories are not based on the educational needs of children.  Every local school system must provide special education faculties and facilities for students with special needs. 

The Fort Hood EFMP is comprised of the ACS EFMP office, located in the Rivers Building, Building 121, T.J. Mills Boulevard and 761st Tank Battalion Avenue, and the EFMP Clinic located at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center.  Enrollment and update enrollments are accomplished by contacting the EFMP clinic at 288-8099.  Overseas screening appointments are conducted by the EFMP clinic and may be obtained by calling central appointments at 288-8888.  The EFMP Medical Director and staff are located in the EFMP clinic.

The Army Community Service EFMP Office provides services that include:  Information and referral, community support services, advocacy, monthly support groups, resource directory, weekly swim program, respite information, EFMP orientation, recreational and cultural activities, community support group information, resource library, and Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP) meetings with Child, Youth & School Services (CYSS).  All services and activities are free of charge and open to the whole Family.
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Thanks Giving Meeting

Kick Ball & Cheerleading

Musice Programs

“Sea Dragons” Swim Program, 287-6070
Come and Join Us!
The “Sea Dragons” is a swim program for Families with special needs and is open to the entire Family. The “Sea Dragons” meet every Friday evening from 1800 to 2000 at the Abrams Fitness Center Pool, Building 23001 on 62^nd Street on Fort Hood. Army Community Service, EFMP has flotation devices available at the pool. Just bring your swimsuit and a towel and come join us!

Soldiers Clearing Fort Hood, 287-6070
Soldiers with Exceptional Family Members must clear ACS EFMP
Out processing Soldiers who have Family members enrolled in the EFMP must complete DA Form 7415 and the "Needs Assessment for Relocating Soldiers" form, and provide a copy of their orders to EFMP Staff. Additional assistance and resources are provided, as required. In addition, the EFMP staff prepares a memo to the gaining installation informing them of the Soldier's report date and possible need for assistance. EFMP staff pre-clear Soldiers who are not enrolled in the EFMP daily.

EFMP Orientation, 287-6070
Information for newly arrived or newly enrolled Soldiers with Exceptional Family Members.
Every 2^nd Tuesday of the month, ACS EFMP provides an Orientation for Soldiers with Exceptional Family Members. Come out and learn more about community resources, information and referral, advocacy, and programs available for Families with special needs. The Orientation is held at Oveta Culp Hobby Soldier and Family Readiness Center, Building 18000, on Battalion Avenue, off of T.J. Mills Boulevard. Some of the programs/agencies that provide information are: Army Community Service (ACS), Child, Youth & School Services (CYSS), Killeen Independent School District, Copperas Cove Independent School District, TRICARE, Texas Rehab, ChildTeam, Family and Morale Welfare & Recreation (Family and MWR), and MetroKids. The EFMP Orientation provides information on resources (on and off post) which are available for individuals with special needs.

Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP) 618-7699
SNAP evaluates health, developmental, physical, social, emotional, learning, and behavioral issues that may affect your child. We are here to help decide placement for your child, youth or teen in CYSS programs. However, it is SNAP’s philosophy and goal, when reasonable, to honor personal choices for childcare, school age services and youth services, as well as participation in recreational activities for children.

As a parent, you are a vital member of this team. Your participation is strongly encouraged and valued. The SNAP can be of greater assistance when provided with a brief history, outline of current symptoms/concerns and actions taken (rescue medicine, etc.).

During the initial enrollment or re-registration, parents will complete the SNAP Screening Form, which will be reviewed by the Army Public Health Nurse (APHN). In some cases, the Medical Action Plan (MAP) will be provided for completion by the child’s doctor, stating the diagnosis and modifications that need to be made. The MAP will be reviewed by the APHN and forwarded to EFMP staff, who will then contact parents for a SNAP appointment.

A SNAP appointment is required for placement in appropriate CYSS programs, and will be reviewed individually. Click here http://hoodmwr.com/cys_snap.htm for detailed information.

Summer Camp, 287-6070
Summer Camp for children with special needs in the Greater Fort Hood Area!
The ACS EFMP, in partnership with agencies on and off post, provides a summer camp for children with special needs. The mini-camp was established to give children with special needs a time to participate in fun and safe activities with their peers. The camp objectives are to provide new opportunities, in an environment that respects the creativity of each camper, and allows them to interact with children from other backgrounds and disabilities. The summer camp focuses on building self-confidence, having fun, and community involvement. Please call the ACS EFMP Office for more information at (254) 287-6070.
For event flyer click Here!