Exceptional Family Member Program Overview for Family Readiness Support Assistants EFMP Program Overview

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: 1.Describe the roles and responsibilities of Family Readiness Support Assistants (FRSAs) in relation to Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). 2.Distinguish FRSAs roles from the functions of the installation EFMP Manager, the Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) EFMP and Military Personnel Agency. 3.Develop a list of installation resources and websites to assist with information and referral. Module Objectives: Orientation to EFMP Module 1: EFMP Program Overview

Background: Module 1: EFMP Program Overview The purpose of this training is to familiarize FRSAs with the EFMP and provide essential information and referral points of contacts and resources available to Soldiers and Family members with special needs FRSAs are part of the commander’s Family readiness team that provides administrative support to the commander, rear detachment commander and volunteer Family Readiness Group leader Army Community Service is responsible for training FRSAs in accordance with ALARACT 120/2009 HQDA EXORD It is necessary that FRSAs be trained on EFMP information and referral procedures to ensure a seamless flow of information to Soldiers and Families with special needs

Overview of EFMP Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP AUTHORITY: AR , Exceptional Family Member Program POPULATION SERVED: Soldiers who have Family members with special medical and educational needs 10 percent of all active duty Soldiers 16 percent of all Army Families SOLDIERS ENROLLED: 53,453 FAMILY MEMBERS REGISTERED: 70,617

Overview of EFMP Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP EFMP is a mandatory enrollment program that works with other military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive and coordinated community support, housing, medical, educational and personnel services to Families with special needs An exceptional Family Member (EFM) is a child or adult with any physical, emotional, developmental or intellectual disorder that requires special treatment, therapy, education, training or counseling.

Roles and responsibilities of FRSA related to EFMP Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP Refer Soldiers and Family members to installation EFMP Manager for support services and advocacy assistance Refer Soldiers and Family members to the MTF for screening and enrollment Network with installation EFMP manager and EFMP MTF staff to assist with the referral of eligible Family members

Role of Installation EFMP Manager Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP Program Management: - Coordinate and manage the installation EFMP - Chair the installation EFMP Committee * Multi-agency committee * Quarterly meetings * Addresses EFMP issues Direct Service Delivery: - Information and Referral - Advocacy - Support Groups - Respite Care - Recreational and Cultural Programs

Role of MTF EFMP Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP Training and outreach to support EFMP requirements within the MTF, with an emphasis on identification of special needs during routine medical care Enrolling Soldiers and registering of Family members in the Active Army EFMP database Screening Family members for OCONUS travel Responding to assignment coordination queries from U.S. Army Human Resources Command based on needs of Family members as recorded in the EFMP database

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP Consider the medical needs of the EFM during the CONUS and OCONUS assignment process Consider special education needs of the EFM during OCONUS assignment process (excludes Alaska and Hawaii) Assign Soldiers to an area where EFM’s medical and special education needs can be accommodated provided there is a valid personnel requirement for the Soldier’s grade and specialty Role of the Military Personnel Agency

Exercise: Go to the Army One Source site and explore resources that will assist you with helping Families on your installation. Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP Hi, I have only been in the Army for a year and I have a 2 year old son who has seizures. I heard there is a program that helps Families with special needs. Do you know anything about it? Work through this scenario and select the best answers.

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP Pick the appropriate response: A.A. Sure, the local MTF will evaluate your son’s condition for EFMP enrollment. They will make sure his medical needs are met.A. Sure, the local MTF will evaluate your son’s condition for EFMP enrollment. They will make sure his medical needs are met. B.B. Wow, that’s rough, you and your wife may want to talk to the chaplain.B. Wow, that’s rough, you and your wife may want to talk to the chaplain. C.C. Child, Youth and School Services should be able to provide you with information, after all, they provide services for children.C. Child, Youth and School Services should be able to provide you with information, after all, they provide services for children.

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP Excellent, that’s correct!’s correct! A.Sure, the local MTF will evaluate your son’s condition for EFMP enrollment. They will make sure his medical needs are met.Sure, the local MTF will evaluate your son’s condition for EFMP enrollment. They will make sure his medical needs are met.

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP That’s not the best answer! A is correct. A. Sure, the local MTF will evaluate your son’s condition for EFMP enrollment. They will make sure his medical needs are met.A. Sure, the local MTF will evaluate your son’s condition for EFMP enrollment. They will make sure his medical needs are met.

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP Great, I’ll take him over to my local MTF. Do you know anyone I can talk to who will help my wife and me cope with the stress of a Family member with special needs?

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP Pick the appropriate response: A. Absolutely, Army Community Service has the EFMP and they assist Soldiers and their Family members by providing information, resources, respite care and support groups Absolutely, Army Community Service has the EFMP and they assist Soldiers and their Family members by providing information, resources, respite care and support groups B. I bet it’s stressful. You can go to the chaplain, he can talk to you about some techniques to de- stress. I bet it’s stressful. You can go to the chaplain, he can talk to you about some techniques to de- stress. C. I’m not sure, I’m going to have do some research and get back to you. I’m not sure, I’m going to have do some research and get back to you.

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP Excellent, that’s correct! Absolutely, Army Community Service has the EFMP and they assist Soldiers and their Family members by providing information, resources, respite care and support groups Absolutely, Army Community Service has the EFMP and they assist Soldiers and their Family members by providing information, resources, respite care and support groups

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP That’s not the best answer! A is correct. A. Absolutely, Army Community Service has the EFMP and they assist Soldiers and their Family members by providing information, resources, respite care and support groups

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP I just hope branch knows about his condition. I don’t want them sending me some place where there is no hospital to treat him. What do you think?

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP Pick the best response: A.I see what you mean, well… cross your fingers and hope you’ll get the support you need when the time arises.I see what you mean, well… cross your fingers and hope you’ll get the support you need when the time arises. B.Just have the CO call them and put in a good word for you. That should take care of it!Just have the CO call them and put in a good word for you. That should take care of it! C.Once your son is registered in the program, your personnel record is flagged indicating you have an EFM. The Branch Assignment Manager coordinates with the Special Needs Office at the U.S. Army Human Resources Command to determine availability of services at locations where you are being considered for assignment.Once your son is registered in the program, your personnel record is flagged indicating you have an EFM. The Branch Assignment Manager coordinates with the Special Needs Office at the U.S. Army Human Resources Command to determine availability of services at locations where you are being considered for assignment.

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP Excellent, that’s correct! Once your son is registered in the program, your personnel record is flagged indicating you have an EFM. The Branch Assignment Manager coordinates with the Special Needs Office at the U.S. Army Human Resources Command to determine availability of services at locations where you are being considered for assignment.

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP That’s not the best answer! C is correct. c. Once your son is registered in the program, your personnel record is flagged indicating you have an EFM. The Branch Assignment Manager coordinates with the Special Needs Office at the U.S. Army Human Resources Command to determine availability of services at locations where you are being considered for assignment.

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP Wow, thanks for all the great information. I really appreciate it!

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP Resources: By knowing your role and the roles and responsibilities of the installation EFMP Manager, the MTF and Military Personnel Agency, you are better prepared to provide Soldiers and their Families with resources they need when they have an EFM Here are some other resources to help Soldiers and Families: TRICARE: Extended Care Health Option: Military OneSource: Army OneSource:

Module 1: EFMP Program Overview Orientation to EFMP Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed this lesson Please click on Exit, top right of screen. You should now be able to : 1.Describe the roles and responsibilities of FRSAs in relation to EFMP 2.Distinguish FRSA roles from the functions of the installation EFMP Manager, the Medical Treatment Facility EFMP and Military Personnel Agency 3.Develop a list of installation resources and websites to assist with information and referral