Understanding the ACS Special Care Counselling Program: Support for Exceptional Military Families

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), often referred to within Army Community Service (ACS) as a special care counselling program, is dedicated to providing comprehensive support to military families who have members with special needs. An Exceptional Family Member (EFM) is defined as a family member, child or adult, with any physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual condition that necessitates specialized medical, therapeutic, educational, training, or counselling services and meets specific eligibility criteria. This program is vital for active-duty Soldiers, US Army Reserve Soldiers in the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program, and Army National Guard AGR personnel serving under Title 10 or 32 of the United States Code. It is important to note that Department of the Army Civilians are not eligible to enroll in the EFMP.

The EFMP, and by extension the Acs Special Care Counselling Program, adopts a holistic approach. It meticulously coordinates military and civilian resources across communities, encompassing educational, medical, housing, and personnel services. This coordination is designed to effectively support Soldiers and their Families navigating the complexities of special needs. Enrolling in the EFMP unlocks a broad spectrum of advantages, which are thoroughly outlined in the EFMP Benefits Fact Sheet.

Crucially, EFMP enrollment has no negative repercussions on a Soldier’s career trajectory. It does not impede promotions, school opportunities, or preferred assignments. Information related to EFMP enrollment is kept confidential and is not accessible to selection boards, ensuring equitable career progression.

Soldiers with Exceptional Family Members are mandated to register for the EFMP and to maintain their enrollment information up to date. This diligence ensures that the Family’s needs are duly considered during the assignment process, particularly for Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) assignments. For Soldiers eligible for EFMP services undertaking OCONUS assignments, it is mandatory that their Family members undergo screening and enrollment. These screenings involve a comprehensive review of medical records for all Family members and developmental screenings for children aged 72 months and younger. It’s worth noting that while special education needs are a consideration for assignments outside of the U.S., assignments within the U.S. and its territories are not determined by children’s educational needs.

For those seeking deeper insights into the EFMP and access to helpful resources, the Enterprise EFMP site serves as an invaluable starting point. Following this initial exploration, individuals are encouraged to reach out to the EFMP manager at their local Army Community Service (ACS) office for personalized guidance. Additional details regarding medical enrollment can be found in the Program Overview.

Essential EFMP Resources for Military Families

To further assist EFMP Families, here are several key resources:

Government Resources

Systems Navigators: Found at most Army installations, these ACS EFMP staff members act as Systems Navigators. They are dedicated to assisting EFMP Families in maneuvering through the various systems of care available to them.
EFMP Newsletter: The Exceptional Advocate (The Exceptional Advocate eNewsletter Archives) is the Department of Defense’s official EFMP newsletter, packed with valuable information and resources.
Military OneSource: Military OneSource provides the “EFMP & Me” tool, designed to help Families understand the specifics of EFMP benefits and processes.
DirectSTEP® eCourses: DirectSTEP® eCourses are freely accessible to Soldiers, Family Members, Army EFMP staff, and Special Education professionals working with military children. These courses are designed to equip staff, parents, and educators with strategies to effectively address critical educational challenges and achieve positive outcomes.
Respite Care Support: The Army Respite Care Support services offer temporary relief to Family members who are the primary caregivers for individuals with disabilities. This care can be provided in the home of the EFM respite care user.

Non-Government Resources (No Endorsement Implied)

Common Diagnoses Qualifying for EFMP Enrollment
Asthma	Developmental Delays (speech, motor, cognitive)	Migraines
Allergies	Diabetes	Multiple Sclerosis
ADHD/ADD	Down Syndrome	Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Anxiety Disorder	Endometriosis	Osteoporosis
Arthritis	Epilepsy/Seizures	Paralysis
Autism Spectrum Disorders	Fragile X Syndrome	Premature/High Risk Infants
Blindness/Visual Impairment	Thyroid Conditions	Spina Bifida
Bipolar Disorder	Head Injury	Skin Disorders
Cancer	Hearing Impairment	Sickle Cell Disease
Cardiac/Heart Conditions	HIV/AIDS	Spinal Cord Injury
Cerebral Palsy	Liver Conditions	Speech Problems/Stuttering
Cleft Palate	Lupus	ANY Educationally related service (Special Ed)
Conduct Disorder		ANY Mental Health Condition
Cystic Fibrosis

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. If you are uncertain about a specific condition, contacting the ACS special care counselling program office is advisable.

EFMP Enrollment Requirements for Active Duty Soldiers

Are all Active Duty Soldiers required to enroll in the EFMP if they have an EFM? Yes, certain categories of Soldiers with EFMs are mandated to enroll:

Active Army personnel.
U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Soldiers in the USAR Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program. It’s important to note that mobilized and deployed Soldiers are not eligible for EFMP enrollment during their mobilization or deployment period.
Army National Guard (ARNG) AGR personnel serving under the authority of Title 10 and Title 32 of the United States Code.

Soldiers participating in the Army Married Couples Program are both required to enroll in the EFMP if they have a qualifying Family member. This dual enrollment ensures that the assignment manager for each Soldier considers the Family’s collective special needs when making assignment decisions.

Career Impact of EFMP Enrollment

Will EFMP enrollment negatively affect a Soldier’s career? Absolutely not. Enrolling in the EFMP does not hinder a Soldier’s advancement or career progression. Soldiers are not obligated to decline assignments if their Family members cannot accompany them; they have the option to accept an assignment while ensuring their Family receives support in another location. The EFMP is designed not to restrict assignments but to facilitate the most suitable placements based on individual Family circumstances. Furthermore, all information within an EFMP enrollment is confidential, protected by HIPAA privacy laws, and cannot be disclosed to promotion or school selection boards, commanders, or other individuals without explicit consent.

Enrolling in the EFMP: A Step-by-Step Guide

How does a Soldier initiate EFMP enrollment? For medical condition enrollment, the Family member’s medical provider must complete DD Form 2792, the Family Member Medical Summary. If enrolling a child from birth to three years old who is receiving early intervention services with an Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP), or a child/young adult receiving special education services under an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan, the service provider or school must complete DD Form 2792-1, the Special Education/Early Intervention Summary, and attach a copy of the relevant plan (IFSP, IEP, or 504). It is possible and sometimes necessary to have both medical and educational enrollments, requiring both forms to be completed.

Completed forms should be submitted to the EFMP office at Evans Army Community Hospital, located at 1650 Cochrane Circle, Woods Soldier and Family Care Center, Ivy Clinic (second floor near the grand stairwell). Office hours are Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.), and Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The office is closed on federal holidays. For detailed enrollment procedure information, please contact 719-526-7805 or via email at [email protected].

Enrollment in the EFMP continues until:

The condition necessitating enrollment is resolved.
The Soldier leaves Army service.
The Family member is no longer registered in DEERS.

Disenrollment requires documentation, regardless of the reason, and must be initiated through the medical provider for medical enrollments or the school/early intervention provider for educational enrollments.

Soldiers are responsible for updating their EFMP enrollments at least every three years or whenever changes occur. Given that assignment nominations can happen at any time, maintaining current enrollment information is crucial.

Disenrollment from the EFMP: Process and Requirements

How does a Soldier disenroll from the EFMP? The disenrollment process mirrors the enrollment process. For medical disenrollment, the EFM’s medical provider completes DD Form 2792, indicating that the condition for enrollment has resolved (exceptions apply to certain medical and mental health diagnoses). For educational disenrollment, the school or early intervention provider completes DD Form 2792-1, confirming that special services are no longer needed. These documents are then submitted to the EFMP office at the same location and hours as mentioned for enrollment. For disenrollment procedure specifics, contact 719-526-7805 or email [email protected].

ACS EFMP Family and Community Support Services

The ACS EFMP, acting as a vital special care counselling program, offers a range of Family and community support services:

Identification of Exceptional Family Members: ACS staff can assist Soldiers and Families in determining if a condition qualifies for EFMP enrollment and guide them through the initial steps and connection to the enrollment office.
Information and Referral: The program provides answers to questions about EFMP operations, referrals to specialists, insights into the Americans with Disabilities Act and Fair Housing Act, and information on Respite Care. If immediate answers aren’t available, ACS commits to finding them promptly.
Support Group and Community Agency Location Assistance: ACS aids in finding and connecting with support groups and recreational programs on and off-installation, offering links to local, state, and national resources, specialized service agencies, and general community support information.
Advocacy: ACS provides advocacy for Families navigating the complexities of special health and education needs. Advocates educate, help articulate needs, and liaise with Army and civilian organizations as required.
Relocation/Transition Assistance: ACS supports Families relocating to or from Fort Carson, ensuring smooth transitions by providing welcome information, assistance during in-processing and out-processing, and coordination with gaining installations.
Administrative Support: ACS assists with compassionate reassignments, deletion/deferment of assignments, and stabilization requests by providing guidance, form assistance, and advocacy for qualifying situations.
Special Needs Accommodation Process (SNAP) Team: This team ensures appropriate CYSS program placement for children with special needs, considering medical diagnoses and functional limitations to ensure safe and supportive environments.
Systems Navigation: EFMP Systems Navigators connect Families to necessary systems of care, both on and off-post, by assessing needs, planning, referring, and building self-advocacy skills.
Respite Care: The EFMP Respite Care Program offers temporary care relief for Families of EFMs with severe chronic conditions or significant medical needs, providing up to 25 hours per month based on eligibility and funding.
Special Olympics: In collaboration with Special Olympics Southeast Colorado, Fort Carson Special Olympics teams are available, offering sports training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. ACS connects volunteers and athletes with the program.
Educational Classes: ACS hosts classes and workshops on topics like special education advocacy, disability benefits, and more, inviting subject matter experts and encouraging community input for future topics.
Special Events: ACS organizes special events such as Sensory Movie Nights and sensory-friendly holiday events for EFMs to foster community and enjoyment.

Debunking EFMP Myths

It is important to dispel common misconceptions about the EFMP to ensure Soldiers and Families are well-informed:

Myth: “Enrolling in the EFMP will negatively impact my career.”
Truth: Soldiers who follow EFMP enrollment guidelines often experience enhanced career progression. EFMP information is confidential and protected under HIPAA, inaccessible to selection boards or commanders without consent. High-ranking military personnel, including Generals and Sergeants Major of the Army, have EFMs.

Myth: “The EFMP is only for severely disabled individuals or those with strictly medical needs.”
Truth: The Army’s definition of “special needs” is broad, encompassing any physical, emotional, developmental, or intellectual disorder requiring special treatment, therapy, education, training, or counseling. This includes conditions like asthma, ADHD, depression, thyroid issues, seizures, autism, anxiety, cardiac conditions, and more.

Myth: “A Soldier with an EFMP-enrolled Family member is non-deployable.”
Truth: EFMP enrollment does not affect a Soldier’s deployment responsibilities. Deployments proceed as required. Family Care Plans, as per AR 600-20, paragraph 5-5, are in place to support Family members with special needs during deployments.

Myth: “EFMP-enrolled Soldiers receive top priority for on-post housing.”
Truth: Housing policies vary by installation. At Fort Carson, priority is given only for structural modifications needed for wheelchair access. Balfour Beatty Communities handles accommodation requests based on documented needs.

Myth: “Each doctor or specialist visit automatically updates EFMP enrollment.”
Truth: EFMP and medical record databases are separate and do not automatically update each other. Soldiers must manually update enrollment documents every three years or when changes occur.

Myth: “Physicians automatically enroll Family members in the EFMP during medical visits.”
Truth: Enrollment requires Soldiers/Families to obtain and submit enrollment documents to the EFMP office after completion by medical or school officials. Enrollment is not automatic upon a medical visit.

Essential EFMP Resources and Links

(Links to Colorado Springs & Pueblo School District Websites and additional resources are in the original article and can be added here if needed for comprehensive local support.)

Evans Army Community Hospital EFMP Contact Information

Physical Address:

Woods Soldier Family Care Center (SFCC)
1650 Cochrane Circle, BLDG 7503
Second Floor, Room 2124
Fort Carson, Colorado 80913

Business Hours:

Monday-Thursday 7:00 am-4:00 pm (closed for lunch 12:00 pm-12:30 pm)
Friday 7:00 am -12:00 pm
Closed: Last Thursday of every month for training, clinic closes at 12:00 pm
Closed: All federal Holidays and selected Friday Training Holidays (Check Evans Army Hospital Facebook page for updates)

Phone Numbers:

Main Office: 719-526-7805
Fax: 719-526-8504

Directions:

Located in Woods Soldier Family Care Center, parking in “G” lot recommended, East entrance, 2nd floor.

EFMP Overview: Ensuring Family Needs are Met

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is mandated by Army Regulation 608-75. EFMP summaries ensure that the medical and educational needs of Exceptional Family Members are considered for duty assignments and access to Army Community Service resources. Confidentiality is strictly maintained in accordance with Army Regulation 340-21, and EFMP information is not shared with promotion or school selection boards.

Types of EFMP Enrollment:

Medical Enrollment: For Family members needing specialty medical care more than once a year, including chronic conditions, mental health disorders, developmental delays, asthma, ADHD, and needs for adaptive equipment.
Educational Enrollment: For Family members needing Early Intervention Services (EIS) or Special Education, including those with IFSPs (under 3 years), 504 Plans, or IEPs (over 3 years).

Evans Army Community Hospital EFMP Services:

Manages enrollments, updates, and terminations.
Verifies special needs accommodation availability for assignments.
Assists with overseas screenings.
Confirms EFM eligibility for Priority Housing.

For any questions or further assistance regarding the ACS special care counselling program and EFMP, please do not hesitate to contact the EFMP office.