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1 1 (November 14, 2022)

handle is hein.crs/govejji0001 and id is 1 raw text is: in gress bnaI Research Servtce nina ih ieaislve debate si1 1914 Updated November 14, 2022 Defense Primer: Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Congress authorizes programs and appropriated funds for servicemember and family benefits, including services to improve quality of life or attenuate military-specific 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. These challenges are often compounded for families with special needs. 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. Background 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. Congress later 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). Renamed the Office of Special Needs (OSN) in 2016, its statutory mission is to develop DOD-level oversight of EFMP and standardize, 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 military service is responsible for administering its own EFMP. The degree of legal, educational, and training assistance provided varies by service. OSN coordinates with the services, Defense Health Agency (DHA), and 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 is required to provide an annual report to Congress (10 U.S.C. § 1781c(g)). Eligibility and Enrollment 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 (for more than 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. When transferring to a new duty station, EFMP enrollment is portable; though additional paperwork may be required in order to coordinate and continue certain services and support. There are no costs to enroll in the program. However, there may be costs associated with obtaining civilian medical documentation required for enrollment that may be reimbursed by the member's service or through DOD's health benefits program, TRICARE. EFMP Services and Support 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 Services and Support Information and referral for military and community Education and outreach to Services EFMP families Refer families with serious Provide local school and early complicated medical issues to intervention services the Military Health System information Collaboration with military, Provide assistance before, federal, state, and local during, and after a relocation agencies on special program development Develop and maintain Non-clinical case individual service plans management

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