The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) provides assistance to military families with exceptional needs. An exceptional family member can be a child, spouse, or a dependent parent who requires medical or educational services due to a physical, intellectual, or emotional need. Only a few examples of an exceptional need would be allergies, asthma, autism, attention deficit disorder, cerebral palsy, dyslexia, depression, diabetes, and lupus, and other conditions that may not be listed. Enrollment in the EFMP is mandatory per MCO 1754.4A.

The primary mission of the Marine Corps EFMP is to ensure the continuum of care for eligible Marine Corps family members. By identifying families with exceptional needs and maximizing the provisions of services, the quality of life provided to the Marine Corps family is enhanced while meeting the mission of the Marine Corps.

EFMP assists families and the command with issues related to the exceptional family member. Marine Corps EFMP family support services are provided to the family by:

• Providing family case management
• Outreach
• Family Training
• Respite Care
• Family Support Groups
• Local Resources

Below are the forms for the EFMP. These forms are filled out:

1. To enroll into EFMP
2. To update membership of EFMP every 2 years. Required.
3. To update the EFM’s information when a change in condition occurs, whether the condition worsens or improves. Updates also include IEP changes. Please attach the most current IEP to the DD Form 2792-1.

• EFMP Eligibility Requirements – It is DoD Policy that family members meet the following criteria to enroll in EFMP.
• MCO 1754.4A – Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Marine Corps Order.
  
  
• DD Form 2792 EFMP Enrollment form, which includes the Medical Summary. This form is completed by both the sponsor or parent and the qualified medical provider.  Please make sure that the demographic information on page 2 (blocks 1a through 6c) are completed.  Please make sure the sign and date the form in block 6 (a-c).  Pages 3 through 7 are completed by a qualified medical provider.
  
  
• DD Form 2792-1 – Special Education/Early Intervention Summary. This form is completed by the parent  and/or sponsor and the school representative.  This form must be completed on all children, ages 5-21, enrolled in grades K-12.  The parent and/or sponsor should complete the demographic information on page 2 and blocks 1 and 2 on page 3.  The school representative completes the information in blocks 3 through 6 on page 3.  If your child is receiving accommodations or services through the school system please bring in a copy of the Individualized Education Plan, 504 Plan, or Student Plan specifying the accommodations and/or services.
  
  
• Declination of Family Case Management. A sponsor and/or family member may also decline family case management services provided by the installation EFMP office.  If you elect to sign the Declination of Services, the local EFMP office will have no contact with you or your family. Contact will be from HQMC only. 
  
  
• Henderson Hall Needs Assessment – If you are leaving or arriving at Henderson Hall, please fill out these Needs Assessment form so that EFMP may best assist your family  during your move.

Respite Care Program

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) has implemented a program allowing for 40 hours of care monthly for enrolled family members who have a qualifying condition.

What is Respite Care?
The Marine Corps EFMP recognizes that you may experience extra hardships as a family – travelling to therapy or doctor’s appointments, missing work, rarely having time alone as a couple. Respite is free childcare or babysitting for a qualifying family member. With the USMC EFMP Respite Care Program, the family chooses applies for the program by filling out the EFMP – Respite Care Program Application. Once approved, the family chooses a qualified provider of choice. The family pays the provider and keeps track of the hours on the Respite Care Reimbursement Form. The Respite Care Reimbursement Form is then signed by the family and the provider and sent to the EFMP Manager by the 5th of the following month. The family will be mailed a reimbursement in the form of a check, in typically 10-15 days.

• MARADMIN 0068/08
• EFMP – Respite Care Program Application
• EFMP – Respite Care Reimbursement Form
• EFMP – Hold Harmless Agreement Form

Other Respite Care Resources

TRICARE ECHO Respite Care: If you are enrolled in the EFMP Program, you may also qualify for the TRICARE ECHO Program. Among other benefits, the Tricare ECHO Program offers:

• ECHO Respite Care – 16 hours per month when receiving other authorized ECHO benefits
• TRICARE ECHO Home Health Care Respite – up to 40 hours per week (eight hours per day, five days per wee) for those who qualify.

To Register for TRICARE ECHO benefits, you must register with your regional contractor. Your contractor will need documentation stating that you are an active duty family member, that a qualifying conditions exists, and that you are enrolled in the EFMP. When the registration is complete, your DEERS record is modified to indicate eligibility for TRICARE ECHO. 

Regional Contractors for Henderson Hall:

• Last Names A-D: Health Net ECHO Coordinator, phone (916) 985-5806, fax (916) 353-6221,
  email: Rita.Uhren@healthnet.com
• Last Names E-Z: Health Net ECHO Coordinator, phone (571) 227-6639, fax (571-227-6705,
  email: LaTrice.D.Easterling@healthnet.com

Resource Guide

• Virgina Resources
  2010 Virginia Parents’ Guide to Special Education
• District of Colombia Resources
  A Guide to Special Education in DC
  DC Early Intervention
• Maryland Resources
  Identifying Children with Special Needs in Maryland
  When Your Child in Special Education Turns 3 in Maryland
  Understanding the Eligibility, Evaluation and IEP Process  in Maryland
• National Resources
  ADA  Information Services
  Wrights Law Special Education & Advocacy
  A Guide to Disabilities Rights & Laws
  ADA Employment Guide
  Commonly Asked Questions About Child Care and the ADA
  IDEA
  National Assistance Programs for Military Families Affected by Autism

Tricare

• Tricare Choices at a Glance
• Tricare DEMO Checklist
• Tricare ECHO Description
• Tricare ECHO Enrollment Process
• Using Tricare & Medicare
• Tricare Claims Process
• Tricare Hospice Care

Summer Camp Guide

Please find a collection of local VA, MD and DC Summer Camps for children and teens with special needs.  Listed are summer camps, sports teams and recreational therapy.  Please contact the camps directly to inquire about costs and availability. MCCS & EFMP do not endorse any of the following camps -  this document is for informational purposes only.

Special Needs Summer Camps 2010

SCOR

The Special Care Organization Record (SCOR) for Children with Special Health Care Needs is specifically designed as an organizing tool just for parents with children with special health care needs. It is intended to help track and organize your child’s information to make it easier for someone else to care for your child in your absence. The SCOR can be used to capture a variety of information such as your child’s birth history, likes and dislikes, medical and educational information, insurance, and step-by-step action plans in case of an emergency.

Please note that while the SCOR provides instructions for the care and keep of your child, it not legally binding in any way. It also contains very private information such as Social Security Numbers, medical history/information, and insurance information. In order to ensure that you maintain your family’s privacy, make sure to keep your SCOR in a safe place that is not easy accessible by those who should not have access to it.

Please contact the EFMP Training, Education & Outreach Specialist to receive a free hard copy of the SCOR, including a binder and CD.

Special Care Organization Record (SCOR)

DoD Special Needs Parent Tool Kit

The DoD Special Needs Parent Toolkit has comprehensive information and tools that are geared towards helping military families with special needs children navigate the maze of medical and special education services, community support and benefits and entitlements.  The Toolkit is broken down into six colorful modules that can be easily downloaded and printed.   We have included important facts, records, tools and sample letters.

Whether you need to learn about early intervention services or want to learn how to be a more effective advocate for your child, you will find the information you are searching for here!

Please contact the EFMP Education, Training & Outreach Specialist to request a hard copy of the DoD Special Needs Parent Tool Kit.

DoD Special Needs Parent Tool Kit