EFMP Manager Phone: 910-907-3395
Email: trisha.m.newton@us.army.mil
Information, referrals and advocacy:
910-643-6997/6996; 910-907-3405; 910-396-2749
Hospital Liaison: 910-643-6258
Location: Soldier Support Center - 3rd Floor
Normandy Drive, Fort Bragg [map]
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00

 Swim Days July & Aug
 Creative Thinking for Creative Behaviors class schedule
 2009 Play Dates
 October 2008 trip to Gillis Hill Farm pictures
 EFMP Monthly Support Group Meetings [PDF]
 EFMP Newsletter 
 ACS Events

EFMP Overview
Who has to enroll?
How to Enroll?
Benefits of EFMP
Fort Bragg Medical Information
EFMP Overseas Screening Requirements
Housing
Early Intervention Services
Schools
Child Care
SNAP
EFMP and Community Resource Information
Helpful Websites

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Overview
The EFMP is a mandatory enrollment program, based on carefully defined rules. EFMP works with other military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive and coordinated medical, educational, housing, community support and personnel services to Families with special needs. EFMP enrollment works to ensure that needed services are available at the receiving command before the assignment is made.  The EFMP operates I.A.W. AR 608-75.

An Exceptional Family Member is a dependent, regardless of age, that requires medical services for a chronic condition; receives ongoing services from a specialist, has mental health concerns/social problems/psychological needs; receives education services provided on an Individual Education Program (IEP), or a Family member receiving services provided on an Individual Family Services Plan (IFSP).

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EFMP Required Enrollees
The following Army components with exceptional Family members must enroll in the program:

(1)  Active Army
(2) Active Guard Reserve Program. Mobilized and deployed Soldiers are not eligible for enrollment in EFMP.
(3) Army National Guard AGR personnel serving under authority of Title 10, United States Code and Title 32, United States Code.

Soldiers that are members of the Army Married Couples Program will both enroll in the EFMP when they have a qualified Family member. Department of the Army civilians will identify dependent children with special education and medically related service needs as well as adult 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.

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How to Enroll
1. Sponsor should contact the Womack Army Medical Center (WAMC) EFMP Clinic at (910) 907-EFMP or go to 5 South at WAMC to obtain the enrollment forms (Medical Summary DD 2792; Special Education Summary DD 2792-1). Forms are also available at the Soldier Support Center, 3rd floor, Army Community Service EFMP.
2. Request the DD 2792  to be completed by the medical professional most familiar with the Family member’s needs; request the DD 2792-1be completed by the school or early intervention social worker and then contact the EFMP Clinic in WAMC at (910) 907-3367 to schedule an enrollment appointment.
3. Bring any and all outside medical records, to include mental health information, to the scheduled appointment.
4. For an educational enrollment bring a copy of the IEP/IFSP, and completed paperwork to the scheduled appointment.
5. Children under 6 years of age must accompany the sponsor or parent.
6. After the application is processed locally, it is forwarded to the appropriate regional medical center for coding and entry into the program. Within 30-45 days the enrollment should be reflected in the EFMP system and the Soldier's personnel record.

The sponsor is notified through Army Knowledge Online (AKO) and he or she is responsible for ensuring eligible Family members enroll and update at least every 3 years or if changes in diagnosis, medication or condition occur.

EFMP enrollment is designed to aid in the assignment process only, and does not adversely affect a Soldier’s career. The EFMP information is NOT released to selection boards for schools and/or promotions. However, please be reminded that EFMP is a mandatory program and that Soldiers who attempt to avoid EFMP enrollment may receive, at a minimum, a general officer letter of reprimand. Avoiding enrollment includes knowingly and willfully failing or refusing to enroll in the program, or withholding information on levy forms thinking it will affect career or assignment progression in a negative way.

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Benefits of the EFMP
Enrollment allows assignment managers at military personnel agencies to consider the documented medical needs of exceptional Family members in the CONUS assignment process (educational needs are taken into consideration only in an OCONUS assignment). When possible, Soldiers are assigned to an area where the medical and special education needs of their exceptional Family member can be met. This will depend upon a valid personnel requirement for the Soldier’s grade, specialty and eligibility for the tour. All Soldiers are still eligible for worldwide and unaccompanied assignments. All local school systems in the continental U.S. and it’s territories are required by public laws to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), to include the provision of special education.

Installation EFMP Offers Information, Referral & Advocacy, such as:
- On and off post agencies and support groups
- Educational workshops and recreational activities
- Relocation services
- Support counseling for family members
-Respite care services
- Administrative assistance with deletions and deferments of assignments
- Educational and medical advocacy for needed services
- Facilitating exceptions to policy for housing

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Fort Bragg Medical Information
Upon arrival to Fort Bragg, Soldiers do not have to change their TRICARE Prime coverage, but they do need to transfer their enrollment to the new TRICARE service region (Tricare North) and are then assigned a new primary care manager (PCM) based on unit assignment.

The closest TRICARE Service Center (TSC) is located at Womack Army Medical Center (1st Floor). Beneficiaries will receive a new enrollment card and local health care information. If no action is taken to change their PCM, beneficiaries will remain enrolled with their former PCM. It is important to change PCMs after the move to ensure health care coverage is not interrupted during the move to a new location

New Prime Enrollment -If you are enrolling in Prime for the first time or have not been enrolled in TRICARE Prime for some time, please download and/or complete the form (http://www.humana-military.com/library/pdf/prime-enrollment-application-pcm-change-form.pdf ) and send it to your regional Managed Care Support Contractor (MCSC) or take it to your nearest TSC. If the MCSC receives your application by the 20th day of the month, you will be enrolled in TRICARE Prime effective the first day of the following month. If your application is received after the 20th day of a given month, your Prime enrollment will be effective the first day of the second month after the MCSC received your application. (For example, applications received on or before May 20, will have a Prime enrollment effective date of June 1. Applications received after May 20, will have an enrollment effective date of July 1.).

Transferring Prime Enrollment- If you have recently moved and are transferring your Prime enrollment, download and complete the form and send it to the MCSC in your new region. Your enrollment transfer is effective on the date your new regional MCSC receives your application. To do this, they must visit the nearest TSC from 0730-1630 to complete the necessary forms to transfer their enrollment:
(http://www.humana-military.com/library/pdf/prime-enrollment-application-pcm-change-form.pdf).

 Medical needs that require specialty clinics (Pediatrics, Neurology, Cardiology, etc) require a referral from a physician. Try to obtain the referral prior to departing your current (losing) duty station. If you are unable to obtain this referral, once you are enrolled into your PCM you will have to schedule an appointment with the physician to obtain your referral. This may delay being seen by the specialist and may interfere with your medical needs. Many Family members are given permission to be treated by off-post physicians and specialists - you MUST go through your PCM and the Health Net procedures to schedule these appointments. You MAY NOT schedule these appointments on your own, without prior authorization.

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EFMP Overseas Screening Requirements- The following should take place AFTER you have received notification of an overseas assignment:
1. Attend an out-processing preparation briefing at the Reassignment Branch.
2. During the briefing authenticate DA Form 5888 listing each Family member going overseas..
3. Ensure all routine medical care is up to date (within the past year, including physicals, PAP, etc.), PRIOR to the EFMP appointment.
4. EFMP Overseas Screening. Appointments are made by calling 910-907-3367. Screening takes place at the Womack EFMP clinic located at 5 South at the medical center. Spouse and children over 18 must be present for the screening. Do not delay in scheduling and obtaining routine medical appointments, as the EFMP process may take up to 90 days to complete during peak PCS season.

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Housing
Fort Bragg Housing is privatized and is operated by Picerne Military Housing (PMH).  The housing waiting lists vary based on rank and Family size.  Many Families assume that because of their EFMP enrollment they receive prioritized housing, this is NOT true.  They are required to complete a request for a medical exception to policy that is a result of a medical condition of the sponsor and/or any of his/her dependants.

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This process may take from 1-4 weeks, for required documents and additional information contact PMH at 910-764-4500 or visit their website http://www.braggpicerne.com/

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Early Intervention Services
Fort Bragg is fortunate to have an early intervention program, Educational & Developmental Intervention Services (EDIS), to serve children from birth to three years who reside on Fort Bragg and have a medical condition or suspected developmental delay and/or have a medical condition that places the child at risk for developmental delay. This program offers speech, occupational and physical therapy, along with a variety of other specialized services. For more information contact the EDIS Clinic at 910-907-3347.  For Families residing off post contact an ACS EFMP representative to be directed to the service provider for your community of interest!

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Schools

On-Post
For persons residing on Fort Bragg there are special education classes available to meet your child's needs. In addition to classroom instruction, medically related services are offered to eligible students. A preschool program for 3 and 4 year old children provides a wonderful environment for learning and socialization. Please contact Fort Bragg Schools at 910-907-0200 for detailed information, or visit their website: http://www.am.dodea.edu/bragg/

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Off-Post
Special Education classes are offered in the surrounding county schools. Contact the offices listed below for your county's school information. Please take the time to research each county's services, prior to purchasing/renting a home. Each county school has a website which posts the school's Report Cards. Go to http://www.ncreportcards.com/ .

Cumberland County Schools
Director of Exceptional Children's Program
910-678-2430
http://www.ccs.k12.nc.us/    

Hoke County Schools
Director of Special Education
910-875-8009
http://www.hcs.k12.nc.us/   

Harnett County Schools
Director of Exceptional Children's Programs
910-893-8151
http://www.harnett.k12.nc.us/    

Lee County Schools
Director of Exceptional Children's Program
919-774-6226
http://www.lee.k12.nc.us/

Moore County Schools
Director of Exceptional Children's Program
910-947-2342
http://www.mcs.k12.nc.us/

Robeson County Schools
Director of Exceptional Children's Program
Dr. Doris Hunt
910-735-2220
http://www.robeson.k12.nc.us/

Sampson County Schools
Director of Exceptional Children's Program
910-592-1401 (press 6)
http://www.sampson.k12.nc.us/

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Child Care
Services for children with special needs are available, both on and off the installation.  To access available local community child care options visit Cumberland County Partnership for Children at http://www.ccpfc.org/ .   For those Families choosing to access Fort Bragg Child and Youth Services, their children will be placed in either a center or a certified Family child care home depending on space available, child's need(s), and parent desires. Prior to registering for care, contact the Central Registration Office at 910-396-8110, to received current procedures. Please bring current medical documentation concerning the special needs and the IEP, or IFSP, when you come in to register. This information is critical for placement into Child & Youth Services (CYS), and it remains confidential.

The CYS enrollment process is a 3-step process:
1.  Intake
2.  Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP) case review, parent my be required to attend this meeting
3.  Placement Notification

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SNAP
How Do I Know If My Child Should Be Assessed By The SNAP?
If you answer YES to any of these questions, a SNAP appointment will be required for your child PRIOR to enrollment or participation in a CYS program:
- Does your child see a specialist?
- Does your child see a health consultant other than your Family practice physician?
- Does your child receive assistance from a resource teacher at school?
- Does your child or youth have a health condition that is corrected but needs special attention in regards to participation in childcare settings or recreational activities (e.g., hearing aid, glasses, inhaler, or other assistive equipment)?
- Does your child have difficulty with self discipline?
- Has he/she been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD?
- Is your child or youth on a behavioral modification improvement plan?
- Does your child or youth have any special allergy or dietary issues (e.g., asthma, hay fever, lactose/dairy intolerance)?

What is SNAP?
The Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP) is a multi-disciplinary team that assists in determining the safest, least restrictive and most appropriate placement of children that require specialized childcare, school age services, youth services, or recreational sports and fitness activities. The purpose of this team is to work with the parent to ensure that the child's experiences while in Child & Youth Services (CYS) are successful.

How Does The SNAP Assist?
The SNAP process is designed to evaluate health, developmental, physical, social, emotional, learning and behavioral issues that affect your child. It is both our philosophy and goal, when possible, to honor your personal choices for CYS services. Through every step we are partners in your child's success. The SNAP serves as a communication link with all agencies involved in providing services to your child and as an advocate to ensure that the individual rights of your child are protected and respected. The CYS is a program of inclusion and works to match the child's need(s) with the appropriate placement.

What Is the Parent's Role?
Parent participation is crucial. You will be informed of the date, time and location of the SNAP. In order to assist with this placement process you may be asked to provide specific information (e.g., medical documentation, statements of illnesses, allergies, reactions and treatment, copies of the IFSP/IEP, and behavior improvement plans/contracts). All of these items are needed to facilitate the SNAP process. Please provide current documentation.

SNAP Team Members
- Parent/Guardian
- Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Coordinator
- Community Health Nurse
- CYS Special Needs Director
- CYS Center Management Representative
- CYS School Age Services Representative
- Medical Care provider
- Early Intervention Services Representative
- Other Health Care Professionals as needed

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EFMP and Community Resource Information

The Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group, for those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease, meets at 2pm on the third Tuesday of each month at Better Health of Cumberland County (1422 Bragg Blvd.). For more information, please call
910-615-1633.

The ARC of Cumberland County
Located at 2557 Ravenhill Drive, Bldg 2 Suite C, Fayetteville, NC 28303.  The Arc of Cumberland County is committed to working on behalf of children and adults with disabilities to improve their quality of life.  For information on all ARC events call 910-867-2141 830am-5pm Monday-Friday.

Arthritis
The Arthritis Support Group meets on the fourth Monday of every month (except December) at 7 p.m. at Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center, Auditorium Room A (located behind Cape Fear Valley Medical Center). For more information, please call (910) 488-9352.

Autism Society of Cumberland County
Consisting of parents, Families and friends of children and adults with autism, and the professional who serve them.  For dates and locations regarding the Support Groups call 910-826-9100, ext.

Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery
The Weight Loss Surgery Support Group meets at the Cape Fear Valley Education Center at 3418 Village Drive. For more information, please contact Robin Heffelbower at (910) 615-6743.

Bereavement

The Bereavement Support Group of Cape Fear Valley Hospice meets in the Hospice Department on the second floor of the Cape Fear Valley Education Center (3418 Village Drive) on the first and third Thursdays of every month from noon to 1:30 p.m. The group is for those who are coping with the death of a loved one. For more information, please call 910-609-6740/4939 or 6710.

The SHARE Bereavement Support Group meets the second Tuesday of each  month from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Dogwood and Pine Rooms of the Cape Fear Valley Education Center, located at 3418 Village Drive. SHARE is a self-help support group for parents who have lost babies through miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy or genetic abnormality, as well as newborn or infant deaths up to age one. Lori S. Farmer, RN, ARNP, MS, APNG(c), a local nurse genetic counselor and perinatal bereavement counselor, is the group’s coordinator. There is no cost to participate. Parents are welcome to come together, alone or with a friend or relative. For more information, please call CareLink at (910) 615-LINK (5465).

Brain Injury

The Fayetteville Brain Injury Support Group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Patient Dining Room at Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center, located behind Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville. For more information, please call Ellen Morales at 486-1101.

Cancer

The Coming Together Children’s Support Group meets on the third Thursday of every month (except July, August and September) from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center conference room. The support group helps children whose parents are diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses, and is open to children ages 5 through 18. Parents are invited to attend and learn how they can best assist their children during this difficult time. Dinner will be served. Please call (910) 615-6337 or (910) 615-4626 to register of for more information.

Common Ground holds informative meetings for prostate cancer patients and their Families, and serves as a forum for discussion of problems associated with being a prostate cancer survivor. They meet on the second Thursday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. in the conference room of The Cancer Center. For more information, please call (910) 609-6791.

Facing Forward, a support group for women living with cancer, meets the second Tuesday of each month in the conference room at the Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Facing Forward discusses cancer-related topics and issues dealing with women’s wellness in a supportive group setting. For more information, please call (910) 615-6337.

The Taking Charge of Your Care Support Group meets on the first Thursday of every month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the conference room at Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center. It is an educational group for cancer patients and their families or caregivers. Topics include information on community resources, stress management, fatigue, relationships and care giving. There are opportunities at each meeting for sharing and support. The group is facilitated by a licensed social worker and is open to the public. For more information, please call the Oncology Social Worker at (910) 615-3849.

The Look Good, Feel Better Program meets on the third Monday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center conference room. Licensed cosmetologists help women with cancer learn how to apply make up and style wigs or scarves to compensate for the changes in the skin and hair that cancer treatment may cause. For more information, please call (910) 615-7618.

Compassionate Friends, a support group for families who have experienced the death of a child, meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Cardinal Room at the Cape Fear Valley Education Center (3418 Village Drive, Fayetteville). For more information, please call Martha Lynch at (910) 245-3177.

The Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Recovery and Support Group meets on the third Saturday of each month (except December) at 1:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at HealthPlex, 1930 Skibo Road, Fayetteville. The group is open to those with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, as well as their family and friends. For more information, please call Margaret Silman at (910) 488-1228.

Heart

The Defibrillator Support Group meets on the second Thursday of January, April, July and October from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Room 101 of the Medical Arts Center (101 Robeson St., Fayetteville). For more information, please contact Penny Hester at 615-6057.

The Women’s Heart Bypass Support Group meets on the third Thursday of every month at 4 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at Cape Fear Valley HealthPlex, located at 1930 Skibo Road. For more information, please contact Clara Wilson at (910) 822-6824.

The Hepatitis & Chronic Liver Disease Support and Education Group meets on the third Wednesday of January, March, May, July, September and November at 6:30 p.m. in Suite 102 of the Medical Arts Center (101 Robeson St., Fayetteville). Those with hepatitis or liver disease, and their family members and friends, are invited to attend. The group is facilitated by a Registered Nurse. For more information, please contact Billie Kennedy at 864-7828.

Marfan Syndrome
The Marfan Support Group meets the last Saturday of every month from 2 to 5 p.m. in Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center Auditorium B. For more information, please call Karen Moore at (910) 583-5518.

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Cumberland County Mental Health Care System Support, 7:00pm: Support group and information exchange with consumers, families, resources and friends facing mental illness.  Meeting is held the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Mental Health Center, 109 Bradford Avenue, Conference Room.  For more specific information call Mr. Arnold at 910-867-0405

NICU Parents
The NICU Parent Support Group meets every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the fourth floor of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Room 432. This is a support group  for parents who currently have babies in the NICU, offering assistance, educational classes and creative activities. For more information, please call (910) 615-6545.

Parkinson’s Disease
The Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center, Auditorium Room D. Parkinson’s patients and their loved ones are invited for support and information about the disease. For more information, please call Paul Berghoff at (910) 323-3765.

Sleep Disorders A.W.A.K.E., a support group for those with sleeping disorders and their family members, meets every third Tuesday in January, March, May, July, September and November from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Medical Arts Center in downtown Fayetteville (across from Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital). For more information, please call (910) 615-6389.

Spinal Cord Injury
The Spinal Cord Injury Support Group meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby of Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center, located directly behind Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. For more information, please contact James Jones at 615-4051.

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Helpful websites
http://www.am.dodea.edu/bragg/
http://www.braggpicerne.com/index.php
http://www.brightfuturesforfamilies.org
http://www.ccpfc.org/ccsol/training.cfm
http://www.ccs.k12.nc.us/
http://www.dss.co.cumberland.nc.us
http://www.ecac-parentcenter.org
http://www.familyvoices.org
http://www.militarychild.org/
http://militaryinstallations.dod.mil/ismart/MHF-MI/home.jsp
http://www.ncei-eclibrary.org
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/nclb
http://www.preventblindness.org/nc/
http://www.smartstart-nc.org/about/board.htm
http://www.sonc.net/
http://www.tricare.osd.mil/TricareHandbook/toc
http://www.tricare.osd.mil/
http://www.militaryonesource.com/home.aspx?MRole=&Branch=&Component=

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