Exceptional Family Member Program
Mainside - Phone: (760) 725-5363
San Onofre - Phone: (760) 763-0868
The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) was established in 1987 to assist active duty service members in providing for the special needs of family members before, during and after relocation required by a change of duty assignment to a new location. The program ensures every attempt is made to mesh military career and special needs whenever possible.
Any authorized dependant family member (spouse, child, stepchild, adopted child, foster child, or dependant parent) of active duty personnel residing with the sponsor who possesses a physical, medical, or emotional disability for a period of six months or more is eligible for enrollment.
What if you have a family member with special needs but do not seek assistance? Enrollment in the EFM program is mandatory as per MCO P1754.4A as the aim of the program is to help monitors at Headquarters Marine Corps assign Marines to locations where family members special needs can be best met.
Eligibility:
Active duty family member enrolled in DEERS with a physical, emotional, developmental or learning disability requiring special services.
The program is a management tool used to monitor assignments for service members with an exceptional family member to preclude sending a service member and/or families on orders to a duty station where adequate treatment and care is not available for the family members. This program is mandatory enrollment for active duty based on MCO P1754.4A.
EFMP Groups, Meetings, Workshops
EPEC
Exceptional Parents of Exceptional Children:
This group is designed for parents who have a child with a disability or illness.
It is a structured group featuring guest speakers, question & answer time, group
discussions and moral support. It is intended to help support and educate
parents on different strategies, techniques and programs for specific disabilities
and behavioral concerns. The group will meet the second Thursday of every
month from 1830 – 1930 at the Stuart Mesa Child Development Center.
“Guy Talk”
This group is designed to be a “rally point” for male service members who have
a family member enrolled in the EFMP. It is intended to be a casual and
confidential place that men can discuss the dual demands of a military career/
deployments and having a Special Needs family member at home. “Guy Talk”
will meet the last Wednesday of the month from 1130 – 1230 in the Religious
Development Building.
Power Hour
This group is designed for spouses enrolled in the EFMP. It is a structured group
featuring guest speakers, discussions and moral support. It is intended to help
spouses balance the demands of being a military spouse and having special
needs, as well as parenting (if applicable). The group will meet the fourth
Thursday of every month from 1830 – 1930 at the Stuart Mesa Child
Development Center.
"Coffee Talk"
This group is designed for moms, especially stay-at-home moms, who have a
child with special needs. The meetings will be casual and confidential, a chance
for moms to “kick back” and chat with others going through similar
circumstances. “Coffee Talk” will meet the first Tuesday of every month from
0900 – 1000 at LIFER JUICE COFFEE.
Autism Support Group
This group is designed for parents that have a child diagnosed on the Autism
spectrum and/or a related disorder. It is a structured group featuring guest
speakers, question & answer time, What’s working? discussion and moral
support. It is intended to support and educate parents on different strategies,
programs and techniques specific to autism spectrum disorders and similar
disabilities. The group will meet the third Wednesday of every month from 1830
– 2000 at the De Luz Housing Community Center.