Exceptional Family Member Program-Fort Benning

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) provides comprehensive support to family members with special needs. EFMP takes an all-inclusive approach to coordinate military and civilian community, educational, medical, housing, and personnel services to help Soldiers and their Families with special needs.

An Exceptional Family Member is a Family member with any physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual disorder that requires special treatment, therapy, education, training, or counseling, and meets the eligibility criteria.

Soldiers* with Exceptional Family Members are required to register for EFMP and keep enrollment information current. This way, Family needs will be considered during the OCONUS assignments process.

If you’re eligible for EFMP services, Family members must be screened and enrolled when they accompany authorized Soldiers on OCONUS assignments. Screenings include medical records review for all Family members and developmental screening for all children aged 72 months and younger.

For more information about EFMP, contact the EFMP point of contact through your nearest Army medical treatment facility.

*Who must enroll in the program?

1. Active Army
2. U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Soldiers in the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program
3. Army National Guard (ARNG) AGR personnel serving under the authority of 10 USC and 32 USC.

Department of Army civilian employees does not enroll in the program.

You must identify dependent children with special education and medically related service needs and, Family members with medical needs each time they process for an assignment to a location outside the United States, where Family member travel is authorized at government expense.

Who is an Exceptional Family Member?

An EFM is a Soldier’s immediate family member, child, or adult, with any physical, emotional, developmental, behavioral, mental, or intellectual disorder that requires special treatment, therapy, education, training, or counseling on an on-going basis.

Who must enroll in EFMP? Are DoD civilian employees required to enroll?

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 impact a 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 during the assignment process?

Special education needs are considered only for assignments outside of the United States. Assignments within our 50 states and 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.

What is the MEDDAC EFMP?

The MEDDAC EFMP, located in room 175-68 on the first floor in the Pediatric Department of Martin Army Community Hospital, handles enrollments, updates, dis-enrollments, overseas screenings, and questions about the availability of services in the Fort Benning area. Enrollment updates are required every three years or if the medical or educational condition/status changes. Call the MEDDAC EFMP office at +1(762) 408-2423.

What is respite care?

The EFMP provides temporary relief for the primary caregiver. Families who meet specific criteria are eligible for respite care.

What if I'm heading overseas?

Service members will receive overseas screening documents at their levy briefing.

Special Needs Recreational Activities and Resources

• Parent Resource Exchange, allows families with special needs to share resources. Meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 11 am at ACS EFMP Conference room on Main Post, Building 359. A list of local resource support groups is also available through EFMP.
• Exceptional Family Member Resource Library, videos, books, and other materials are available in Room 138 at Army Community Service, Building 7, on Baltzell Avenue
• Operation Autism – A Resource Guide for Military Families
• Easter Seals of West Georgia
• May Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Columbus, Ga
• Chattahoochee Valley Down Syndrome Support Group
• Muscogee Moms
• GA Parent 2 Parent
• Special Olympics
• The Arc of Greater Columbus
• EFMP & ME on Military OneSource