Headquarters U.S. Air Force I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Webcast Airman & Family Readiness Policy Carla E. Diamond AF/A1SAA
Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e Humanitarian Reassignments & Deferments Ms. Kimberly Schuler Chief, Humanitarian, EFMP & Expedited Transfer Assignment Policy SrA Cynese Williams Total Force Service Center Assignment Supervisor
Agenda 3
Agenda (cont.) EFMP-Assignments (EFMP-A) Reassignment or Deferment Application Process Timelines & Standards Statistics Common EFMP misconceptions EFMP-Family Support (EFMP-FS) A&FRC EFMP Family Support Roles & Responsibilities Resources & Services Webcast Comments Area Designated for Questions 4
Overview Role of Air Force Airman and Family Readiness (A&FR) Policy in EFMP Air Force EFMP (Integrated Components) EFMP Initiatives Webcast Comments Area Designated for Questions 12/15/2017 5
A&FR Role in EFMP Air Force Policy Directive, AFPD 36-82, published 7 July 2015, assigned A&FR overall responsibility for the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Update and maintain policy and guidance Develop and implement program requirements Market and promote EFMP https://www.facebook/hqafa1sa/ 12/15/2017 6
Air Force EFMP EFMP-FS EFMP-M EFMP-A 12/15/2017 7
AF EFMP EFMP-FS (Family Support) A&FR Centers Information/ Referral Agency Resources Military Child Ed Education Briefings Respite Care EFMP-M (Medical) Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) (SNC, FMRCCs) EFMP Identification/Enrollment Family Member Relocation Clearances Health Care Coordination EFMP-A (Assignments) Air Force Personnel Center Special Assignments Q-coding EFMP Reassignments Humanitarian 12/15/2017 8
EFMP Initiatives Air Force EFMP Updated Initiatives 44 EFMP-FS Coordinator Positions Respite Care Quarterly Family Member Webinars
EFMP Family Member Webcast Submit Questions in Chat Box 10
Headquarters U.S. Air Force I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e EFMP-Medical (EFMP-M) Ms. Catheryn Mauro EFMP-M Cell 11
Overview EFMP Enrollment Q-code Identification EFMP Clearance Special Needs Coordinator Webcast Comments Area Designated for Questions 12
EFMP Enrollment EFMP provides assignment considerations for sponsors with family members identified as having special conditions Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1315.19, Enclosure 4 outlines conditions meeting criteria Medical Needs Mental Health Needs Educational Needs Adaptive Service Needs Enrollment is mandatory for family members who meet criteria 13
Q-Code Identification 14
EFMP Clearance 15
Special Needs Coordinator Each Air Force Installation has a Special Needs Coordinator (SNC) position, located within the MTF The SNC at each Installation is responsible for: Identification of EFMP criteria Enrollment of new EFMP cases Management of existing EFMP cases Oversight of EFMP clearance process during PCS Review of EFMP documents for EFMP Reassignment requests The SNC notifies the MPS when special needs are identified by requesting an Assignment Limitation Code-Q (Q-code) on the member s personnel file The SNC works with the EFMP-Family Support office to refer families in need of supportive services 16
Headquarters U.S. Air Force I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e EFMP-Assignments (EFMP-A) Ms. Kim Schuler Chief, EFMP Assignment Policy SSgt Cody Apoldo EFMP Case Manager
Overview Purpose Eligibility Application Process Statistics Assignment Considerations Common EFMP Misinterpretations Webcast Comments Area Designated for Questions 18
Purpose of Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Designed to ensure care for family members with special needs meeting DoD criteria for EFMP enrollment at current and projected accompanied assignment locations; needs are usually permanent or long-term How does EFMP help? Assign Airmen, based on manning needs of the AF to locations where the required educational resources are available, or the medical care is available through either Military Treatment Facility (MTF), TRICARE providers, or combination thereof Provide an initial 12-month deferment (stay in-place) for newly diagnosed condition when the Airman s presence is essential in establishing / participating in treatment program
Eligibility for Reassignment or EFMP Eligibility Criteria (at least one criterion must be met): Deferment Care unavailable at current or projected assignment location Airman s presence considered essential Newly diagnosed condition identified Family member denied travel to projected assignment location
EFMP Reassignment / Deferment Application Processing Typically takes 4-6 weeks for the assignments process to work through the system Airmen can contact Total Force Service Center for status updates Potential assignments will not be released to member or leadership; leads to processing delays and false sense of direction to families Airmen must complete pre-screening as soon as eligible (up to 6 months prior to departure) EFMP assignment considerations are not provided for active duty members active duty with illness must PCS under SG authority (patient squadrons)
EFMP enrollment is not optional it is mandatory Who is considered a family member? EFMP Statistics Spouse, child or other member living in household who is dependent on the member for over half of his or her financial support & meets EFMP enrollment criteria (does not include dependent parents) EFMP enrolled Airmen as of September 2016: 21,648 Enlisted 7,590 Officers Enrollment has doubled in 7 years EFMP applications for reassignment or deferment in FY16: 1258 Total 1017 Approved 241 Disapproved } 29,238 Total Airmen
Assignment Considerations Airmen must remain able to fulfill mission requirements AF must ensure overseas requirements can be met Permanent or prolonged deferment from reassignment may have a negative impact on the AF mission Hardship discharge / retirement may be more appropriate in some situations Requested location cannot be based solely on the desire for extended family support There are many situations that do not qualify for reassignment, but can be helped with a Family Care Plan
Common Misinterpretations Approval of my request or updating my Q code means I don t have to go TDY TDY deferment is not automatic; can be requested in initial application Input from provider with rationale and duration of need Having a Q code means never having to be separated from my family Assignment Limitation Code (ALC) Q is an indicator that a family member has special needs. It requires a check to ensure the availability of required services at any accompanied assignment location.
Common Misinterpretations My commander recommended approval so my request will be approved Assignments is official final decision authority AFI is under rewrite to delegate approval to DP2LWA Having a Q code will limit my career and I will be passed over for opportunities Assignment selection is based on equitable assignment system; not EFMP (Q-code) cont. I received a denial for travel for my dependent. The MPS will be notified so I will just stop processing for my assignment When a negative travel recommendation is received, Airmen must apply for reassignment or deferment through the vmpf MPS are NOT notified
Air Force Personnel Center One Team, One Family, One Mission
Headquarters U.S. Air Force I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e EFMP Family Support (FS) Ms. Saundra Nichols Airman & Family Readiness Operations/ Sustainment Branch
Overview A&FRC EFMP-Family Support EFMP-FS Roles & Responsibilities Resources & Services for Families Support Groups/Workshops EFMP Resource Fairs MCEC & STOMP Training DirectStep & Special Ed Connection Respite Child Care EFMP Camps Webcast Comments Area designated for Questions
A&FRC EFMP-Family Support Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) EFMP-Family Support (FS) staff establishes, implements and maintains the FS (community support) entity of the Air Force EFMP in coordination with the Medical & Assignments components by enhancing the quality of life of special needs family members.
A&FRC EFMP-FS Staff Roles & Responsibilities Launches program awareness & marketing Conducts family needs assessment Coordinates local, state & federal resources Information & referral Offers workshops & education briefings Markets respite child care program Documents non-medical case management Provides warm hand off to FS at next location Remains aware of DoD & AF initiatives Advocates for improved services for families
Resources & Services for Support Groups/Workshops (examples) Autism Support Group What You Need to Know about ADHD TRICARE Services Assisting Adults with Special Needs EFMP Resource Fairs Families Opportunity to meet with exhibitors & reps from a host of agencies (e.g., Legal, Medical, Muscular Dystrophy, Alzheimer s Assn, American Heart Assn., School Liaison Office)
Resources & Services for Military Child Ed Coalition (MCEC) Training Families cont. Trainings targeted to local educators, parents & onbase professionals Subjects range from special needs, transitional student programs to helping children through challenging times Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP) Parent-directed information & training on IEPs, wills, guardianship, record keeping, planning a PCS move, TRICARE, etc.
Resources & Services for DirectSTEP & Special Ed Connections Families cont. Specialized self-paced e-course training available 24/7 Comprehensible researchable database Legal cases, federal policies and guidance AF Respite Care Program 12 hours of FREE short-term specialized child care available to help reduce stressors Sibling care for 12 years old and under In home care by screened/trained providers Contractor: www.usa.childcareaware.org
EFMP Camps Resources & Services for Families cont. Open to all families with special needs Camps may include horseback riding therapy, arts & crafts, outdoor activities, day camps, music therapy, family events, sensory camps and much more!
EFMP Resources EFMP-Medical http://www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/efmp/ Visit your local Special Needs Coordinator for assistance EFMP-Assignments http://www.afpc.af.mil/exceptional-family-member-program Visit your local Military Personnel Section for reassignment or deferment assistance EFMP-Family Support Visit your local Airman & Family Support Center for assistance Many are active on social media
EFMP Family Member Webcast Submit Questions in Chat Box