Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

Military families with a special needs family member, also known as an Exceptional Family Member, often require additional help in meeting the EFM’s needs. To support Families with special needs, the Army created the Exceptional Family Member Program in the early 1980’s.

The Army designed the EFMP to be a comprehensive, coordinated, multi-agency program that provides community support, housing, medical, educational, and personnel services to military Families with an EFM. This website focuses on your interaction with the medical portion of EFMP.

Approximately 10 percent of Army Families have members with special needs, including spouses, children, or dependent parents who require special medical or educational services.

A key to the success of the EFMP is the cooperation by the Soldier with the mandatory enrollment requirement.

EFMP & Me Tool

Your 24/7 Guide to the Exceptional Family Member Program

Navigating military and community resources during major life events can be challenging as a military family. The EFMP & Me tool provides checklists, resources and referrals to guide you through each process and find support from the Exceptional Family Member Program.

Use this tool to maneuver through the Defense Department's network of services and supports for families with special needs. No sign-up is required for service members and family members, but you can choose to create an account to save your progress and preferences.

Contact a Representative

To find an EFMP representative, visit the Military Installations website.

EFMP FAQs

Who is EFMP for?
Soldiers with a family member who has a special medical, educational, or housing need.
What qualifies for EFMP?
- A potentially life-threatening condition or chronic condition that requires follow up care more than once a year or specialty care.
- Current and chronic behavior health condition lasting more than 6 months that include care from a behavior health provider or primary care provider.
- Any history in the last 5 years of inpatient behavior health or intensive outpatient behavior health involving visits of twice a month or more.
- Diagnosis of asthma involving scheduled use of an inhaler, emergency department visit, or clinic visit for an asthma "attack" in the last year or history of admission to the hospital in the last 5 years.
- Requirement for special equipment like an apnea monitor, CPAP, home nebulizer, braces, orthotics or a communication device.
- Requirement for an exception to housing for things like limited steps or air conditioning.
Does ADHD qualify for EFMP?
ADHD qualifies if the family members require a high dose of medication or multiple medications, requires a behavior health provider, or requires a modified curriculum in school like an IEP.
Does a condition have to be clinically diagnosed?
EFMP is for identifying someone with a special need and not necessarily on what they are diagnosed with.
What if the school identifies a child with a learning disability and has an IEP? Does that qualify for EFMP?
Yes, when a child receives an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) they are qualified and need to be enrolled. A 504 plan does not qualify.
What is the benefit to enrolling into EFMP?
The EFMP program is designed to check if a Soldier’s next assignment location will have the medical, educational, and housing support available to accommodate the family member with special needs.
What’s at stake if they don’t enroll?
A Soldier who does not enroll in EFMP will risk getting assigned to a location where the medical, education, or housing support is inadequate for the family member with special needs.

A Soldier may get assigned outside of the continental United States and find out later that the family cannot be Command Sponsored, resulting in either a cancelled assignment or unaccompanied assignment. Each family member will have to be screened for EFMP in order to get to go outside of the continental United States.
What’s the first step to enroll?
Soldier and spouse will need to go online to Enterprise EFMP by using this link https://efmp.army.mil/EnterpriseEfmp/

Once logged in they will need to start an enrollment package. Once it is started it is sent to the IACH EFMP Office for review. The IACH EFMP coordinator will contact them and schedule an appointment or e-mail them some forms for the school or specialist.
Some individuals refuse to enroll because they believe it will hurt their military careers. True?
Enrollment is mandatory once identified and refusal to enroll or update can result in soldier receiving a General Letter of Reprimand. Enrollment is only used for assignments and is not part of any type of promotion board or evaluation system.
What is intervention, specifically early intervention?
Early Intervention is for children 0-3 years old that are not meeting their developmental milestones. Usually, you will learn this during your child's wellness exams or realize your child appears behind other children their age. This service is provided through the state and each county has an assigned office. For Geary County (FT Riley) you would call (785) 717-4130 or Riley County (785) 587-2830 and set up an evaluation. The service they provide will involve a therapist coming into your home and providing therapy to help the child develop.
EFMP has a hospital office and an ACS office. What does the hospital office do?
The hospital office is the administrative side that assists families with enrollments, updates, disenrollment, overseas screening and working with Human Resources Command for assignment to FT Riley.

Army Community Services (ACS) has an EFMP Manager and an EFMP System Navigator. The EFMP Manager works with local support activities to include Schools, Infant Toddler Service, Early Development, Child Youth Services, Child Daycare Centers, Heath Care Providers etc. to assist in finding support for EFMP family members at Ft Riley. The System Navigator assist family members in navigating through the services provided by the State and TRICARE. ACS also coordinates special activities including a Special Needs Rodeo, Autism Conference and participates in other community activities.
What is an IEP and how does EFMP help with schools/IEPs?
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is used when a child age 3-21 has a disabling condition that has a negative impact on their ability to learn. This can be anything from needing speech therapy or having a recognized disability. Once a student is recognized as possibly needing an IEP the parents are notified and student will be evaluated by the school IEP team. Once the evaluation process is complete, the parents and team will meet and decide on the best course of action then develop the IEP. In the event the child does not qualify for an IEP the team may decide to place them on a 504 Plan. The 504 Plan are usually accommodations made by the school to assist the child in learning. This can be things like extra time for tests, use of computers/tablets or text in large print.

Prior to an OCONUS assignment (outside the continental United States) EFMP will send a copy of the IEP to the gaining command for review. In foreign countries, Department of Defense Schools (DODDS) will review and decide to accept or deny for Command Sponsorship to their location. This is imperative overseas as there are many small installations with limited resources.
What is an example of how EFMP can help with schools or IEPs?
The Army Community Services EFMP Manager hosts IEP workshops to assist family members in the process of understanding/developing an IEP. They will work with the schools and families to develop the best course of action to assist the family.
What conditions or disabilities would not be well served here in the local area?
Any serious health condition that places a great risk to the patient of a poor outcome while living here. What happens when you need a hospital/provider and that hospital/provider is 130 miles away?
What is the radius that’s classifies Fort Riley as having a therapy within reasonable distance?
The Army EFMP Managers Office put out some basic guidelines to use for standards of care. These are weekly care within a 40-mile radius, monthly care within a 60-mile radius, quarterly care within a 90-mile radius, and annual care within 100-mile radius or further. These are guidelines and not regulations. Each case is reviewed individually and decided upon if we can meet their individual needs. Soldier/Families can be reimbursed for travel outside 100 miles through the Patient Movement Office here at IACH.
Can a Soldier/family request an exception to policy? Who authorizes that exception?
There is no policy as it based off a review and decision. Soldiers/Families who contact the IACH EFMP Office will often get a second look and a chance to provide additional information. The IACH EFMP coordinator will usually discuss this with clinical leadership and establish a plan of care if IACH accepts. There is no policy/regulation that requires the IACH EFMP Office to provide a yes or no answer.
What’s different about EFMP now?
Enterprise EFMP (E-EFMP) is a website Soldiers and families can access to perform all actions related to EFMP. The website is https://efmp.army.mil/EnterpriseEfmp/ and you will need to access it through the DS Login located here https://myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil/identitymanagement/registration.do?execution=e1s1 also make sure your Mil-connect is updated.
What does the new website provide that it didn’t before?
Greater transparency on the status of an EFMP action. Soldiers and families can log on and view where their form is in the process of updating your EFMP or processing your Family Travel request for OCONUS. They can view what their family member is enrolled for and request updates as their needs change over the course of 3 years. The new site is also a gateway for information on family services to include housing, child youth services, childcare, schools etc.
Can someone enroll into EFMP directly without going to the IACH EFMP Office?
All EFMP actions are done on the website and must be initiated by the Soldier or spouse. Soldier/spouse should only visit the IACH EFMP Office if they have a form to be uploaded into E-EFMP or wish to talk to someone about the program. They can also call the EFMP Office at (785) 240-7543 or e-mail EFMP at usarmy.riley.medcom-iach.list.efmp@mail.mil
Is it possible that families new to the Army may not even consider the program?
Yes, new Army families tend to have difficulty completing the paperwork portion before Soldier moves on to the assignment phase.
Does EFMP advocate for families at schools?
Yes, the EFMP Manager at ACS will aid to families and has attended some IEP meetings with school and parent.

EFMP

EFMP & Me Tool

24/7 Guide to the Exceptional Family Member Program

Hospital Location

1st Floor, Room 1G069, Across Pharmacy
650 Huebner Road, Fort Riley

Phone(785) 240-7543Email
IACH EFMP
Hours
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Third Thursday: 9 am to 12:30 pm
Closed for lunch noon - 1 p.m.
Closed on federal holidays and selected training holidays

Fort Riley Location

7264 Normandy Dr., Fort Riley
Phone(785) 239-9435Email
Fort Riley EFMP
Hours
Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Closed on federal holidays

Don't forget to keep your family's information up-to-date in DEERS.

Patient Resources

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

EFMP & Me Tool

Your 24/7 Guide to the Exceptional Family Member Program

Contact a Representative

EFMP FAQs

EFMP

EFMP & Me Tool

Hospital Location

Fort Riley Location

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