CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Military life, with its constant deployments, hectic schedules and training, can be difficult. Factor in a family member who has special needs, and the lifestyle can become significantly more challenging.
More than two decades ago, the U.S. military devised and implemented a plan to ensure military family members with special needs had access to any and all necessary resources needed to thrive, while keeping their service member in the fight.
Years later, the Exceptional Family Member Program continues to provide a continuum of care for the medical, therapeutic, educational, social, residential, rehabilitative and supportive needs of enrolled sponsors and their families.
“Our main goal is to ensure every service member has the opportunity to train, relocate, fight and advance in their profession with the assurance that their exceptional family member, be it a child, spouse or parent, has access to all available resources,” said Winona Britt, the training, education and outreach specialist for EFMP here.
The EFMP here serves not only Camp Pendleton, but also the families of all Marines on Inspector/Instructor duty west of the Mississippi, making it the largest EFMP community in the Marine Corps.
According to Marine Corps Order P1754.4B, every Marine with an exceptional family member, defined as “a Marine Corps family member with a condition requiring special medical, medically-related, or special education services,” is mandated to enroll in the program.
Enrollment in the program carried a negative connotation in the past, with Marines believing they would be looked over for promotions or deployments due to their participation; however, that stigma is rapidly diminishing as registered service members continue to thrive and advance in their careers, said Britt.
“Being enrolled with EFMP allows Marines to focus more on their careers while we ensure their family member is well provided for,” said Britt. “Although participation is mandated, that information is confidential and visible only upon request from a commanding officer or higher.”
The EFMP is equipped to deal with any and all ailments of EFMs, including mild asthma, cancer, attention deficit disorder, depression, physical or learning disabilities and autism.
Assistance is provided in two major ways, with additional resources available within each: assignment coordination and family support.
Throughout their enrollment, families are assigned a case manager to advocate for them during the reassignment process. After orders are drawn up, the case manager contacts the EFMP at the receiving installation and special care is taken to ensure the EFM will have the necessary continuum of care.
Despite handling large case loads, the case workers handle every aspect, from researching available resources and benefits to advocating for schooling and housing requirements, throughout the moving process for each family they serve.
“Our case workers are amazingly knowledgeable and efficient at what they do,” said Carlton Sauls, the program manager of EFMP. “Currently we have six case workers serving more than 2,000 families. Their dedication to these families is immeasurable.”
The family support aspect of EFMP provides the time, energy, effort and resources to help military families take care of their EFM. Social, training and educational opportunities are available through this portion of the program, allowing EFMs and their families to communicate, play, educate themselves and learn from each other.
“We offer a wide variety of events, training programs and informational seminars to our families to remind them that they are not alone- we are all one community with one voice,” said Sauls. “From our annual Christmas party, attended by more than 300 families, to our Peer-to-Peer program, which pairs experienced exceptional families with newcomers in a mentor/mentee relationship, there is always something going on.”
The ideas and implementation of many of the programs and events presented by the EFMP are often made possible by the EFMP Support Council, a group of senior Marine Corps leaders and Marine Corps Community Service, Marine and Family Program and family representatives.
Established by Col. Nicholas F. Marano, commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, the group identifies systematic concerns within the EFM community and develops programs and initiatives to better serve both the EFMs and their families.
“The support from Col. Marano and the council allows our families to confidently speak their minds about what they need and know that everything possible will be done to fulfill those needs,” said Sauls. “That’s the beauty of having a military that is genuinely concerned about not only their active members, but the families and their needs as well.”
As long as the EFMP exists, Marines all over the world can fulfill their desire to serve their country wholeheartedly, confident their loved ones are in good hands, said Sauls.
“The special needs world can be daunting, overwhelming and extremely challenging,” he said. “Having a friend, advocate and most importantly, a listening ear can make a world of difference. EFMP is that friend.”
For more information on the EFMP, visit their website at www.mccscp.com/home/Family-Services/efmp.aspx.