Does the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) actually work?

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 13:30:01 -0400

I have been a member of the EFMP for 16 years now due to a daughter that has rather unique medical requirements. I am not sure if ALL services equally have the program or use something similar. Just want the discussion topic to be brought up. I have been mandated to update her file every three years, but have been told I cannot Permanent Change Station (PCS) to certain assignments or locations due to the post not having the facilities or housing to handle such a EFMP.

However, the Army has moved me to every location that EFMP and the garrison has said no. The only place I was accepted on EFMP was Fort Hood and they had no officer handicap housing, therefore my daughter could not go to the assignment with us and had to remain with her grandmother. Only enlisted housing had handicap housing and the contractor would not allow an officer to live in an enlisted home.

So my question is does EFMP really work? Who does it benefit?

Up for discussion.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 1:34 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 13:34:44 -0400

I can not speak to your issue but I wish you the best of luck. Do not give up on it!

I serve in the National Guard and have yet to find a resource on the Guard side of the house to help my family with our adult autistic daughter. Fortunately on the civilian side there has been help.

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Sep 15 at 2014 1:50 PM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 13:50:36 -0400

EFMP worked for me and my family. When my daughter was born she had some complications and required a 4 month stay in the NICU. Upon release from the NICU she needed regulr check-ups with specialists. Additionally the hospital on base could not deal with all her issues and the trips to the ER as they were not prepared to deal with these issues. I submitted my paperwork for a transfer and received orders to a base that could better support me and my daughter within 10 days.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2015 3:49 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 03:49:49 -0500

Chief,
Sorry for you troubles with EFMP. I have heard that alot of people have had issues with this service across all posts. My son has moderate to severe Autism and is 4 years old. Once diagnosed he was set up with speech, occupational and ABA therapy that only cost me $35 a month through the ECHO program. He is showing excellent results and has moved to an actual school for PRE-K and doing great with an IEP to fit his needs.

I am not sure how they could send you to a place that your daughter cannot get treatment. Is there treatment in the location where they basically made her stay? If not why would they then not allow her to go? Was it impossible or impractical for you to stay where you were and just keep going at that assignment until services were available?

The Army works in mysterious ways but I am sure I would not be able to leave my kid because the Army said she couldn't go because of EFMP status. She would be with me and they would deal with it when it came up. Just my .02. Good luck Chief~!

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Jul 22 at 2015 9:56 PM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 21:56:29 -0400

My wife has both a heart and pulmonary condition, and since our PCS to Fort Carson, her health has deteriorated due to the altitude, as matter of fact she just had a heart attack 6 weeks ago.

As it turns out, when she had her heart attack, immediately we went to Evans Army Hospital...only to be told that the hospital doesn't have a cardiologist on night shift or for emergencies...what?

Anyways, went to EFMP to figure out care alternatives for her and the personnel there was not helpful at all, all they did was hand us more forms and paperwork to be signed by her PCM.
In addition, my unit is aware of my wife's condition and EFMP status, yet they are not very accommodating either whenever she needs me there for help, or to drive her to an appointment or therapy session, etc.

Recently she developed blood clots in her arm as a result of her hospital stay, which involves new specialists, treatments, etc. EFMP and the Army medical system is letting her down again, and my unit is letting me down by not supporting as much as it could.

EFMP seems to be another case of good intentions gone bad, or good ideas put to pasture thanks to the budget cuts.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 3:50 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:50:34 -0400

Chief,

I hate seeing these stories where the resources can't come together to work with families. I'm sorry that the program did not work out for your daughter to remain with you.

We have EFMP in the AF as well. We are not personally in the program, but I have worked with and befriended many who are. I've seen good and bad.

One LT was unable to PCS to a dream assignment because they didn't have an available dermatologist for her dependent, who she was in the process of divorcing at the time. Because her divorce was not finalized, her orders were canceled and she remained on station for an extra year, which she will say has impacted her career greatly. Beyond the divorce, his condition required only a yearly check for basal cell skin cancer, which he had signed a form saying he would be seen on his own dime. It didn't make a difference. In this case, common sense had no play in the decision.

On the other hand, for those who it did ensure proper care was available, it is nice to know that at least in theory, someone is looking out for the needs of the SM and their family. I guess personally, I would rather have those with proper access ensure that myself and my son would have the care we need wherever my husband goes, prior to packing up and moving, at least theoretically.

Bottom line, the program is a great idea. I think it's the enforcement and lack of attention to detail by those who carry it out that have given it a bad name for some.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2015 1:27 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 13:27:27 -0400

I am a USAR soldier about to be deployed in December. My commander said I should enroll because I have a daughter who has a genetic condition that limits her growth. I spent two months going through the motions only to find I don't qualify b/c I am a TPU soldier. Very disappointed that this program does not seem to help as many people as it could. I am fortunate that my civilian benefits will help my wife while I am away, but wish the Army would do more for those of us who have special family members.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2015 5:26 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 17:26:49 -0400

Sir,
I am currently in Navy and new nothing about it until 5 months after my daughter was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder......long story short you are SUPPOSE to receive a case worker. This case worker is the one that you can talk to about EVERYTHING involving the dependent that is in the program. Depending on the Category you receive from being on EFMP, yes you will be homestead...BUT what bothers me is the fact that they transferred you somewhere where the living conditions for your daughter were not met. To my knowledge, as to how they explained it to me, my detailer is mandated to PCS me where there is a MTF within 50 miles.
I have learned all this from finding out who else in my command was on EFMP and posting questions on Facebook (I know, crazy). I will be more then happy to give you my case workers number so you can speak with her so you can ask all the questions under the sun!!!!! She has been amazing in helping me!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2015 6:21 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 06:21:46 -0500

Sir, I have had no help with EFMP. When I went out to recruiting they did not care about it and had to get referrals fir everything but was mainly taken care of by civilians out in Houston because I was so far away from any military instalation. Now trying to go to Hood I was accepted for my HAAP so my family moved there while I'm in Korea. Then when its time for orders EFMP is denied. At first I was unable to go almost anywhere and me and the branch manager were taking blind shots in the dark to go anywhere but for other reasons my family can not move for another 2 years minimum. Now the only way I can go to hood is if I deploy right after getting to Hood and waive my dwell time. All I see it as is to limit where I go no extra assistance whatsoever.