Family members with special medical or educational needs should enroll in the EFMP including spouses, children and dependent adults who:

• Require special medical services for a chronic condition such as asthma, attention deficit disorder, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, etc.
• Receive ongoing services from a medical specialist
• Have significant behavioral health concerns
• Receive early intervention or special education services through an individualized education program or individualized family service plan

Enrollment in the EFMP ensures that family members' documented medical and educational needs receive consideration during the assignment coordination process. Through the EFMP family support office, families can receive assistance with navigating military and community support systems.

Families can enroll by obtaining paperwork from the EFMP medical point of contact at their local military treatment facility, or, in the Marine Corps, from Marine Corps Community Services. The forms for enrollment are:

• Department of Defense Form 2792, "Family Member Medical Summary." The service member, spouse or adult family member completes the first page to document medical needs. The family member's physician or other qualified medical professional completes the rest and includes the diagnosis, frequency of care, medication and any special accommodations the family member requires.

• Department of Defense Form 2792-1, "Special Education/Early Intervention Summary." The sponsor, parent or legal guardian completes items one through seven of the first page to document educational needs. School or early intervention program personnel complete the remainder of the form, which includes the child's educational diagnosis. A copy of the individualized education program or individual family service plan pairs with the form.

The military mission is the driving force behind the assignment process, but enrollment in the EFMP ensures that family members' documented needs are considered in the process. Assignment coordination occurs when the personnel command requests that Department of Defense medical or educational professionals review a family member's documented needs to determine availability of services at a projected location. Assignment coordination is important because access to appropriate medical and educational services may be limited in some areas, especially in overseas and remote locations.

The EFMP family support function helps families identify and access programs and services. Family support includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Information and referral for military and community services
• Warm handoffs to the EFMP at the next location
• Nonclinical case management

The role of the family support provider includes:

• Helping families on the path to empowerment by providing information and referral services, non-medical case management, education and other supports
• Helping relocating families pinpoint and navigate formal programs and services and informal supports
• Bridging gaps in programs, services and support by informing families on what is available, and how to apply for benefits and entitlements

Access the EFMP family support by visiting or calling your local installation Military and Family Support Center or by contacting Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 and asking for a referral to a special needs consultant.

In addition to the support available from the installation Military and Family Support Centers and Military OneSource consultants, MilitaryINSTALLATIONS provides some suggestions for making the transition easier as your child enters a new school system following a move to a new duty station. The article, "Preparing for Your Move," provides tips for what to do prior to and after your move to help create a smooth transfer between schools.

Additionally, military families can learn about the Education Directory for Children with Special Needs for information on special-needs issues and listings of national and local resources for early intervention (for infants and toddlers) and special education (for school-age children) services.