EFMP & Special Needs Resources

Supporting military family members with disabilities, special healthcare requirements, or educational needs

According to the 2023 Military Family Support Programming Survey, 28.8% of active duty survey respondents said that they had a family member who was currently eligible for enrollment in either the Department of Defense’s Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) or the Department of Homeland Security’s Special Needs Program (SNP).  

Military life comes with a variety of opportunities and challenges. For service members with a loved one with special needs, those challenges can feel especially daunting, and they may need additional support and resources to help them succeed. With that in mind, the Department of Defense (DoD) created the EFMP to help military families with a family member with special needs get the support they need to manage their care and services. 

EFMP is a single program with three specific components, all working together to support military families with special needs:

• Identification and Enrollment – EFMP works with DoD medical providers to identify and enroll family members who could benefit from the program’s services.  
• Assignment Coordination – The EFMP program also brings together medical experts and military personnel departments to help ensure that family members’ medical and educational needs are considered when orders are assigned to the service member. It is important to note that EFMP is designed to help service members feel confident that the needs of their special needs family members are being met so that they can focus on the mission and continue to succeed in their military career.  
• Family Support – Once enrolled, families can access many support resources through non-medical case management services at installations and online self-service tools available through EFMP & Me.  

To learn more about EFMP and how to make the most of these resources, we encourage you to visit: 

• EFMP & Me – An online tool that helps families navigate EFMP processes and utilize the support programs offered. The online tool is customizable, based on your role, and provides access to checklists and other resources
• Military OneSource – A DoD-funded program that serves as military families’ 24/7 connection to information, answers, and support. Military OneSource offers a MilLife Guide about the EFMP program, information on utilizing program benefits, and service-specific information. 
• Exceptional Families of the Military – A nonprofit organization that specializes in helping military families enrolled in DoD’s Exceptional Family Member Program or the Department of Homeland Security’s Special Needs Program. 

What about moving?

Military families move every 2-3 years on average, and EFMP families are no different. Dr. Jennifer Bittner from Exceptional Families of the Military has shared resources and real life advice on making the process easier for your family.

Caregivers need support, too

Caring for a child or loved one with special needs is incredibly rewarding, but it also has its own set of challenges. Fortunately, resources are available to help caregivers get the support they need. Military OneSource has compiled information on respite care services available through EFMP and other local, state, and federal programs.