EFMP helps special needs military families Published March 7, 2014 By Senior Airman Grace Lee 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Life in the military can be stressful for active-duty personnel and their families. With change-of-duty stations and times of separation, this can be especially challenging for service members with dependents who have special needs. To make the move from one base to another smooth, the Exceptional Family Member Program is available to assist military families with special needs children and spouses. "The EFMP is important in many ways," said Marjorie Thompson, 56th Force Support Squadron family support coordinator. "It helps military families when they are moving by ensuring their next duty station has the medical support or the community support they need for their child or spouse. My role as the EFMP FS coordinator is to provide families with community outreach support and referrals." Support groups can be important for families with newly diagnosed children with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other conditions by educating parents on the disability as well as answering questions and concerns they may have, Thompson said. "We also help families apply for disability, which can be used to provide services and equipment their dependent may need, such as a wheelchair or scooter," she said. Similarly, EFMP FS coordinators also help parents register for free respite child care, Thompson said. This care can be used to provide families with a break at home or at school with the help of a trained and screened provider. Eligible EFMP Air Force families may receive up to 12 hours of respite care per month. Although the EFMP is a mandatory Defense Department enrollment program, not all eligible families are enrolled in the EFMP. "Our goal is to identify and assist active-duty Air Force families with members having special medical, mental, and or educational needs," said Brenda McGuire, 56th Medical Group special needs coordinator. "The medical side of the EFMP ensures active-duty members are assigned to a location where appropriate services are available for the family members." The primary goal of the EFMP here at Luke is to ensure active-duty military families with special needs are taken care of whether their needs are in mental health, education, group support or in medical care. "We have appointments to welcome new EFMP families to the Luke community," McGuire said. "Here at Luke, we focus on a team effort to ensure all our patients are taken care of." To further educate parents on subjects regarding their child's needs, there will be a free specialized training of military parents class 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 1 and 2 at the Airman & Family Readiness Center on Luke. The class will also cover laws, regulations and resources for military parents of children with special needs. In addition, the A&FRC also holds classes once a month on ADHD and autism. The classes cover potential areas of concern and educates parents on what each condition is and what one can do to better provide for their child's needs. There is an autism support group 7 to 9 p.m. the first Thursday of the month held at the A&FRC. For more information or to register for a class, call the A&FRC at 623-856-6550. To make an appointment to enroll in EFMP, call 623-856-7296.