MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- Service members, Department of Defense employees, civilians and their families were greeted with warm smiles as they entered the Air Station’s Officers’ Club June 10 for the first Exceptional Family Member Program Resource Fair.
A benefit of the EFMP is becoming familiar with living a military lifestyle for new families. It also helps with arranging doctor’s appointments for the new family settling in.
“The EFMP is a mandatory program which provides families with the necessary medical, emotional and educational needs for their children,” said John Abney, the EFMP manager for Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
The fair began with guest speakers from various organizations, such as the Child Development Center, Tricare and the vocational rehabilitation program giving summaries of what they offer.
Tricare Extended Care offers more benefits than the normal Tricare respite care, such as emergency care and dental contacts list, according to Brenda Hunt, the executive director of special services for Beaufort.
“The EFMP has been especially helpful for my family by giving us contact numbers for pediatricians and making calls to arrange appointments,” said Staff Sgt. Robert Moffitt, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Weapons Field Training Battalion staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge.
Many families have been assisted financially or medically due to the EMFP’s assistance programs.
“They can provide strollers, wheelchairs and more depending on the needs of the child,” said Veronica Moffitt, wife of a fighter. “We had difficulties finding someone who was able to treat our son but through EFMP, the case manager assigned to us helped provide connections necessary for our son to receive the medical care he needed.”
The EFMP is devoted to ensuring every family who needs help receives it and attempts to give as much support as possible to the families who’ve been supportive of our troops, said Abney
“The fair was held for people and their families for the sacrifices and support they provide,” Abney said. “There are more than 300 children and 100 adults in the program. It would be great if the number of attendees increased for the next fair so they could benefit like those before them.”
For more information or to register with EFMP call 228-2041 or 228-3849