DOD Launches Survey to Enhance the Exceptional Family Member Program
The Defense Department launched its 2022 Exceptional Family Member Program survey today. The results will help the DOD prioritize solutions that help meet the needs of military families with special needs.
“The experience of our families enrolled in EFMP is important to us and this survey is an opportunity for each and every one of them to be heard,” said deputy assistant secretary of defense for Military Community and Family Policy Patricia Montes Barron. “By completing the survey, families can make sure DOD understands where its policies and programs are helping them and where improvements can be made. Leadership will take the results from this survey seriously.”
The 2022 EFMP Survey is the first comprehensive survey by the DOD of the approximately 110,000 active-duty service members enrolled in EFMP. Service members enrolled in the program will receive an email invitation to complete the survey and are encouraged to coordinate with family members to provide a comprehensive perspective to the use of the program.
Service members who do not receive an invitation but are enrolled in the EFMP can visit OPA Survey Portal (dodsurveys.mil) to participate in the survey. The web-based survey will ask respondents about the enrollment process, family support services, assignment coordination during a PCS move and experiences outside of the program with medical and educational services.
Responses will be reviewed confidentially with results reported to the DOD’s Office of Special Needs, service branch EFMP leadership, Personnel & Readiness and Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Responses will be used to inform decisions about DOD policies and programs impacting families enrolled in the EFMP.
Click here for more information about EFMP or the survey.
About EFMP
EFMP is a mandatory program for active-duty military service members who have a family member with special medical or educational needs. Enrollment in EFMP helps ensure the needs of the family member with special needs are taken into consideration during the assignment coordination process. EFMP is made up of three components: family support, identification and enrollment, and assignment coordination. The program assists by identifying and enrolling family members with special medical or educational needs, finding out what services are available at current or new duty stations and supporting families with information, referrals when appropriate and non-clinical case management to access services. Each military service branch administers EFMP and provides service-specific guidance and resources.
About Military Community and Family Policy
Military Community and Family Policy is directly responsible for establishing and overseeing quality-of-life policies and programs that help our service members, their families and survivors be well and mission-ready. Military OneSource is the gateway to programs and services that support the everyday needs of the 5.2 million service members and immediate family members of the military community. These DOD services can be accessed 24/7/365 around the world.
