Q: Who is eligible for the Exceptional Family Member Program?

A: A Family member who is enrolled in DEERS and may require special medical or educational services based on chronic physical, intellectual, educational or emotional needs.

• Medical-Special needs that require specialized medical care and are chronic in nature.  Criteria enrollment in EFMO includes but is not limited to:  hypertension, asthma, insulin-dependent diabetes, menmtal health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder.
• Educational-Special needs that require special education services in order to progress academically.  These services are identified on an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP.  Examples of qualifying educational services include:  resource rooms, psychological services, occupational or physical therapy and adaptive equiptment needs-just to name a few.

NOTE:  In the Air Force, almost any condition that connot be handled by an annual visit to a Primary Care Manager (PCM) is considered to be a special need.

Q: What are some of the benefits of enrolling in the EFMP?

A: There is respite care available, support groups, local parent workshops & training opportunities, relocation assistance, special housing consideration based on medical necessity, and assistance finding local and national resources.

Q: What does the ECHO (Extended Care Health Options) program provide?

A: ECHO provides additional medical coverage from TriCare (conus only) such as:  special education, durable equipment, ABA therapy, in home support based upon qualifying conditions and rehabilitation care. More information is available about the eligibility at http://www.tricare.mil/echo. To enroll in ECHO or be screened for eligibility – fax completed DD2792 and DD2792-1 to (866) 269-5758. Download the TriCare ECHO flyer (PDF 361kb).

Q: Are Families enrolled in the EFMP able to be stationed overseas?

A: Yes-However, Depending upon the EFMP qualifying condition and the given overseas location.  Overseas assignments for all service members and their dependants require screening. EFMP will assist in coordinating a duty station that will meet both the career and EFM needs.  Some overseas duty locations may not have sufficient care to meet the needs of all exceptional famiy members.  In the event that this is the determination, EFMP Assignments will work to ensure an alternate duty location where both career and EFM needs are met.

Q: How can EFMP help my Exceptional Family Member with Individual Education Plan (IEP)?

A: There are local agencies that can assist you with issues ranging from school services (to include advocacy for IEPs), access to therapies, related resources and provide workshops to help families learn to be their family member’s best advocate.  Your Ellsworth EFMP Coordinator has a background in special education and educational law and is happy to visit with you @ the Airman and Family Readiness Center to discuss IEPs/IFSPs, special education terminology and assist with educational questions and concerns.

Q:  Will enrollment in the EFMP affect my opportunity to deploy or go TDY?

A:  No.  All Service Members enrolled in EFMP remain world-wide deployable and assignable.

Q:  Will EFMP enrollment hurt my chances for promotion?

A: No.  The promotion’s process does not have access to your EFMP status.

Q:  Will my commander be notified of my enrollment in EFMP?

A:  Not automatically, but they can be.  Commanders are able to request a list of EFMP enrolled Service Members in their unit.  However, this list does not include any detailed information about diagnosis or specific conditions or needs, nor will it be released to other unit personnel.  Any further enrollment info will be kept private, unless written authorization is recieved from the enrolled Service Member.

MEDICAL EFMP  ACC Update FAQs

Q1: How do I update my Family member’s EFMP paperwork if he/she has a medical special need?

A1: Complete a DD Form 2792 (Family Member Medical Summary). To do this:

1. Sign the release of information (page 1)

2. Complete items 1-5 on page 2. Stop where it says “STOP”.

3. Complete the patient name, sponsor name, sponsor SSN, and Family member prefix boxes on the tops of pages 3-8.

4. Make an appointment with the servicing physician to have the rest of the form completed, signed, and dated. *Make sure the physician signs the bottoms of pages 5, 6, and 8.*

5. Return your completed DD Form 2792 to Captain Shelly Hanson@ 605-385-3569, Special Needs Coordinator. She is located in the Ellsworth AFB Medical Center.

6. Get a copy of the DD Form 2792 for your own records after Captain Hanson reviews, signs, and stamps it.

7. Captain Hanson will then process the paperwork.

Q2: How do I update my child’s EFMP paperwork if he/she has a special education or early intervention special need?

A2: Complete a DD Form 2792-1 (Special Education/Early Intervention Summary). To do this:

1. Complete all of page 2 and items 1 and 2 on the top of page 3.

2. Ask your child’s school educator or early intervention therapist to complete the rest page 3. (Oftentimes a school has a certain person to complete this paperwork.) *Make sure that the educator/therapist completes and signs item 6.* In the event that the student is homeschooled, use your home school to complete the paperwork.  Use the district office to complete the paperwork when school is closed or out of season.

3. Attach a copy of your child’s updated Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) to the form (if your child has one).

4. Return your completed DD Form 2792-1 and IEP/IFSP to Captain Shelly Hanson @ 605-385-3569, Special Needs Coordinator at Ellsworth. She is located in Ellsworth AFB Medical Center.

5. Get a copy of the DD Form 2792-1 for your own records after Captain Hanson reviews, signs, and stamps it.

6. Captain Hanson will then process the form.

Q3: What if my child has both medical and special education (or early intervention) special needs, like Autism or ADHD?

A3: The DD Form 2792, DD Form 2792-1, and an updated copy of his/her IEP (or IFSP) will need to be completed and returned to Captain Shelly Hanson @ 605-385-3569 in the Ellsworth AFB Medical Center.

 Q4: What do I do if my Family member no longer needs to be enrolled in the EFMP?

 A4: You need to request disenrollment from the EFMP-M. To do this, ask the doctor to complete the DD Form 2792 and indicate that the special need no longer exists (see #4 in Q1 above). Return the completed form to Captain Shelly Hanson @ 605-385-3569 at the Ellsworth AFB Medical Center-605-385-3569. After her review, she will check the “Request Disenrollment” box for item 7a on page 2 and will forward the form for processing

Q5: How do I get my Family member disenrolled from the EFMP if he/she is over age 21 and is no longer my DEERS-enrolled dependent?

A5: Get a copy of your DD Form 1172 from the DEERS office that shows that he/she is no longer your DEERS-enrolled dependent. Complete items 1-5 on page 2 of the DD Form 2792. Return both forms to Captain Shelly Hanson @ 605-385-3569 in the Ellsworth AFB Medical Center . After her review, she will check the “Request Disenrollment” box for item 7a on page 2 and will process the form

Q6: How do I get my ex-wife/ex-husband disenrolled from the EFMP?  

A6: Get a copy of your DD Form 1172 from the DEERS office that shows that he/she is no longer your DEERS-enrolled dependent. Complete items 1-5 on page 2 of the DD Form 2792. Return both forms (and a copy of the divorce paperwork) to Captain Shelly Hanson @ 605-385-3569 in the Ellsworth AFB Medical Center. After her review, she will check the “Request Disenrollment” box for item 7a on page 2 and will process the paperwork.

Q7: My ex-wife/ex-husband has full custody of my EFM. What do I need to do?

A7: Get a copy of your DD Form 1172 from the DEERS office that shows that he/she is no longer your DEERS-enrolled dependent. Complete items 1-5 on page 2 of the DD Form 2792. Return both forms to Captain Shelly Hanson @ 605-385-3569 in the Ellsworth AFB Medical Center. After her review, she will check the “Request Disenrollment” box for item 7a on page 2 and will process the paperwork. The child will need to be enrolled under the new Sponsor if there is one.

Q8: My ex-wife/ex-husband and I share custody of my EFM, and my EFM is still my DEERS-enrolled dependent. What do I need to do?

A8: The EFM is enrolled under the DEERS Sponsor. When you are requesting government sponsored travel for the EFM (Exceptional Family Member); you will need to complete the entire clearance process.  If the EFM is not traveling with you, annotate this on page 1 of the AF Form 1466 and a clearance is not necessary.

Q9: I have a unique situation re: my EFMP and I need to speak with someone who can help. Who can I call?

A9: Captain Shelly Hanson-Special Needs Coordinator @ 605-385-3569 in the Ellsworth AFB Medical Center or Nicole Reynolds, (Exceptional Family Member Program Coordinator) EFMP-FS Coordinator @ 605-385-4663 in the Airmen and Family Readiness Center.