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1 1 (December 16, 2020)

handle is hein.crs/govdcyg0001 and id is 1 raw text is: * ~ ~ tiE>sct~rch $3c ~ .................. Updated December 16, 2020 Defense Primer: Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Congress appropriates funds for servicemember and family benefits, including services to improve quality of life or attenuate challenges. Military families face frequent moves around the globe, often causing disruptions to spousal employment, school or child care arrangements, and other challenges associated with establishing a household in a new location. Military members who have a dependent (spouse, child, or dependent parent) with special needs may experience significant stress during these moves due to the need to find specialized health care providers, school systems with dedicated support services, and community support assistance. The military established the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) to ease these additional burdens of a move for such families. The U.S. Army started EFMP in 1979, with the other services following. Enrollment was voluntary and the program initially provided medical support to families with special needs in the United States and overseas locations. As child advocacy groups raised concerns over the unique pressures of military service on families, Congress enacted the Military Family Act of 1985 as part of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 (P.L. 99-145 §§801- 813). This act directed the Department of Defense (DOD) to create an Office of Family Policy to coordinate programs and activities of the military departments as they relate to military families. After 20 years of high operational tempo and congressional hearings on strength, vitality, and sustainability of military family support programs, Congress created the Office of Community Support for Military Families with Special Needs in Section 563 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2010 (P.L. 111-84). Later renamed the Office of Special Needs (OSN), its statutory mission is to develop DOD-level oversight of EFMP and enhance and improve DOD support around the world for military families with special needs (whether medical or educational needs). OSN establishes DOD policy to support military families with special needs, while each service (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force) is responsible for administering its own EFMP. While the degree of legal, educational, and training assistance provided varies by service, OSN coordinates with each service, the Defense Health Agency (DHA), and the DOD Education Activity in an effort to ensure EFMP adequately supports military families. OSN holds quarterly advisory panels with military families to assess program satisfaction and provides an annual report to Congress (10 U.S.C. §1781c(g)). Elgbnyand ELrorneot DOD Instruction 1315.19 requires active duty servicemembers to enroll in EFMP if they have a dependent with a qualifying special need. Members of the Reserve Component are not required to enroll in EFMP, unless they are in an active duty status (>30 consecutive days). DOD civil service employees selected for overseas assignments are eligible for EFMP services on a space-available basis. Servicemembers may receive guidance on eligibility and completing enrollment in the program at their installation EFMP office. EFMP enrollment is not portable and servicemembers must register for the program when transferring to a new duty station. While there are no costs to enroll in the program, certain costs may be associated with medical documentation required for enrollment. These costs may be reimbursed by the member's service or through DOD's health benefits program, TRICARE. Criteria for EMFP Enrollment (one or more of the following) Life-Threatening or Chronic Condition Requiring Special Care (e.g., follow-up from a primary care manager) . Current and Chronic Mental Health Condition Asthma or Other Respiratory-Related Diagnosis Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Chronic Condition Requiring Adaptive Equipment, Assistive Technologies, or Environmental/Architectural Considerations * Special Educational Needs E FM~P 'Servs adSupport EFMP offices also assist with the coordination of military assignments and family support services. Dependents are eligible for support services once the servicemember has enrolled in the program. EFMP offices validate educational and medical resource availability at the servicemember's projected duty location, in partnership with the services' personnel organizations. If specific services or resources are not available at the servicemember's prospective duty location, their military orders may be canceled or modified. EFMP's family support services identify local programs and resources to support individual needs. This includes connecting dependents with community support groups, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (P.L. 101-476) early intervention programs, and special education services. EFMP enrollees may also receive respite care. Eligibility, availability, and amount of monthly-allotted respite care hours varies by service. hup-------------------.-,'*g-v \ \\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\ \\\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \\ \ \ Q\\ \\\ \\\

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