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MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/DEC//
SUBJ/EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MEMBER PROGRAM UPDATE//
REF/A/DOC/NDAASEC582/1JAN21//
REF/B/DOD/23JUN23//
REF/C/DOC/OPNAVINST/15NOV17//
REF/D/DOC/OPNAVINST/11DEC23//
NARR/REF A IS SECTION 582 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR
2021 IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MEMBER PROGRAM UPDATE.
REF B IS THE DODI 1315.19, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EFMP POLICY INSTRUCTION.
REF C IS THE OPNAVINST 1754.2F, THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY EFMP POLICY
INSTRUCTION.
REF D IS THE OPNAVINST 1300.14E, SUITABILITY SCREENING FOR OVERSEAS OR
REMOTEDUTY ASSIGNMENT.
RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces Department of Defense (DoD) mandated updates
to improve the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) experience for
military families and to create program consistency across the Services per
references (a) and (b). Navy EFMP updates will be implemented gradually,
bringing the Navy EFMP in line with other DoD and Service EFMPs by the end of
Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). Continuity of benefits for new and existing
enrollees will be maintained. Enrollment in the EFMP is mandatory for all
Active Duty Service Members and Reservists on orders over 30 calendar days,
who have a family member with a qualifying chronic medical (physical,
developmental, or mental health) condition or who require special educational
support per references (b) and (c). The primary purpose of the EFMP is to
ensure family member's medical and educational needs are considered during
the assignment process.
2. EFMP updates will improve oversight and implementation as well as provide
a single Point of Contact (POC) for EFMP needs. The following changes will
be fully implemented by the end of FY25:
a. Single-lead EFMP Office. The Navy established a centralized EFMP
office at Navy Personnel Command, EFMP Manager (PERS-456) to oversee
implementation of the EFMP and provide a single POC for the coordination of
health care services, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) assignments, and
educational support services.
b. Transition to individualized approach for case management.
In alignment with reference (b) and the other Services, Navy will no longer
utilize traditional Exceptional Family Member (EFM) categories. This
transition will offer greater precision in aligning the needs of each EFM to
those capabilities available at assignment locations.
c. Central Screening Committee (CSC) EFMP Enrollment, Respite Care, and
Priority Housing. The CSC is a medical review committee consisting of
healthcare professionals responsible for reviewing completed EFMP enrollment
packages. The CSC makes EFMP enrollment determinations and adjudications on
Level of Need (LON) as LON pertains to respite care and priority placement on
the Navy housing waitlist, as applicable.
(1) The CSC transitioned from the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
(BUMED) Medical Readiness (BUMED N10D) to the single-lead EFMP office,
PERS-456.
(2) EFMP coordinators at the military treatment facility will
continue to assist the CSC in the identification and enrollment of current
and prospective EFMs, and provide EFMP training and marketing to medical
staff personnel.
(3) Per reference (c), EFMP enrolled Service Members are required to
update their EFMP enrollment status every three years or when a change in
special medical or educational needs occurs.
d. Assignment Process. Service Members enrolled in the EFMP will apply
for assignments in MyNavy Assignment or coordinate with detailers as
appropriate. PERS-456 will confirm the required medical or special
educational services are available at the assignment location prior to orders
being released.
(1) Assignment Reconsideration. If a Sailor considers the assignment
medically or educationally inappropriate, the Sailor may submit a request to
PERS-456 for an assignment reconsideration.
(2) The EFMP assignment process does not replace the operational or
overseas suitability screening requirement.
Suitability screening is a separate process and required for Service Members
receiving accompanied orders to a location outside the continental United
States and remote duty, per reference (d).
(3) PERS-456 will initiate the family support warm hand-off process
when the required care services are available at the gaining location. As
EFM families move from one installation to another, the losing installation
EFMP family support office will proactively communicate with the gaining EFMP
family support office to communicate the family's needs to help with the
continuation of services. The warm hand-off may include information for
transitioning respite care, disability-related housing needs, obtaining
educational support, or connecting to local support groups upon arrival at
the new location.
e. EFMP Respite Care. The DoD established a standardized respite care
benefit, including the number of hours available to military families
enrolled in the EFMP who meet the eligibility criteria. The respite care
benefit provides family members with temporary relief from the responsibility
for the regular care of the EFM, utilizing trained and background checked
approved providers.
The EFMP respite care age-specific LON rubrics help the Services determine
eligibility and number of allotted hours per month, per family. The changes
to the Navy's Respite Care Program will be fully implemented on 1 October
2025. LON rubrics scoring is as follows:
(1) LON 1 and LON 2: Sailors with dependents with low needs are
ineligible for EFMP respite care.
(2) LON 3: Sailors with dependents with moderate needs, to include
adults, are eligible to receive 20 hours per month of EFMP respite care.
(3) LON 4: Sailors with dependents with profound needs, to include
adults, are eligible for 32 hours per month of EFMP respite care services.
(4) If previously qualified for respite care services, but the LON
reclassification changes eligibility, respite care benefits will continue at
the current level until 1 October 2025.
(5) For PCSs occurring on or after 1 July 2025, eligibility will be
based on LON determination. If the LON assessment disqualifies the dependent
for respite care, benefits expire on the date the PCS occurs. If determined
eligible, the Service Member must apply for respite care benefits at the new
duty station under updated eligibility guidelines.
(6) Changes to respite care hours and eligibility for current
respite care users will not take effect until 1 October 2025, with the
exception of a PCS move occurring on or after 1 July 2025.
f. Priority Placement on Navy Housing Waitlist. Navy Housing applicants
with family members enrolled in EFMP deemed eligible for a priority placement
on the Navy Housing waitlist will be afforded the priority. Housing waitlist
priority does not guarantee immediate housing assignment, but helps to
quickly and adequately house those requiring permanency in living
arrangements. Any housing accommodation requests should be provided to
landlord.
(1) Sailors with a previous assignment letter of EFMP categories 4 and
5, as well as enrollees designated in writing by the CSC, will be afforded
the priority placement until 1 October 2025. After 1 October 2025, only
those designated in writing via the CSC will be eligible for priority housing
placement.
(2) Non-Navy applicants applying for Navy housing will need to contact
PERS-456 to validate priority placement on the Navy Housing waitlist.
(a) Provide proof of enrollment in service EFMP. If enrollment
letter is not available, PERS-456 will contact the respective service to
validate.
(b) Provide a copy of the DD-2792, DD-2792-1, and Individualized
Education Program (IEP)/Individualized Family Service Plan, as applicable.
3. Legal Assistance for Special Education Concerns. Navy Region Legal
Service Offices (RLSO) are available to provide special education legal
support to families enrolled in the EFMP, as appropriate. General Legal
Assistance Attorneys located exclusively at RLSO Mid-Atlantic in Norfolk, VA;
RLSO Southwest in San Diego, CA; and RLSO Southeast in Jacksonville, FL
consult with EFMP Special Education Liaisons, EFMP Case Liaisons, and School
Liaisons on an as needed basis. Various team members may consult with EFMP
families on a variety of topics related to availability of schools, special
education school meetings, due process, IEPs, housing, medical, and
information and referral services. Additional resources are available at:
https://ffr.cnic.navy.mil/Portals/76/Family_Readiness/Documents/Legal%20Assis
tance_%20May%202024.pdf?ver=NYl_EqDkQ5pwmXPPTCKFKg%3d%3d
Special Education Attorney Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9kMrXphMGU
4. For questions concerning identification and enrollment/disenrollment,
respite care, and family support, please contact the Centralized EFMP Office
directly at 901-874-2496 or at efmp_admin.fct@navy.mil.
(a) Navy's EFMP websites:
(1) MyNavy HR: https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Support-
Services/Exceptional-Family-Member/
(2) CNIC:
https://ffr.cnic.navy.mil/Family-Readiness/Fleet-And-Family-Support-
Program/Work-and-Family-Life/Exceptional-Family-Member-Program/
(b) Navy EFMP mobile resources:
(1) Navy's EFMP App:
https://www.applocker.navy.mil/#!/apps/17B6E14B-2502-438C-880B-4D98B4512038
(2) MyNavy Family App:
https://www.applocker.navy.mil/#!/apps/A3E45417-7665-4E93-B703-659F6B34C404
(c) Special Education resources:
(1) Special Education Attorney Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9kMrXphMGU
(2) Navy Legal Assistance Program:
https://ffr.cnic.navy.mil/Portals/76/Family_Readiness/Documents/Legal%20Assis
tance_%20May%202024.pdf?ver=NYl_EqDkQ5pwmXPPTCKFKg%3d%3d
5. Released by Vice Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman, Jr., N1.//
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