If a family member is enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, your PCS moves have an additional layer of coordination, and important protections. Here's how to navigate it.
What Is EFMP?
The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory enrollment program for servicemembers who have a family member with special medical or educational needs. Any family member who requires specialized medical care that may not be available at all duty stations, or who has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan through a school system, must be enrolled in EFMP.
EFMP enrollment is not optional, and failing to enroll when required is a violation of military regulations. More importantly, EFMP exists to protect your family, it ensures the Army (or your branch's equivalent) cannot send you somewhere your family member cannot get the care they need.
Who Must Be Enrolled?
EFMP enrollment is required for family members with:
- Special medical needs requiring specialized care (chronic conditions, disabilities, complex diagnoses)
- Mental health conditions requiring ongoing professional treatment
- An Individualized Education Program (IEP) under IDEA
- A 504 Accommodation Plan through a school
- Developmental disabilities or delays requiring therapeutic services
- Any condition requiring a specialist not available at all installations
Each branch administers EFMP slightly differently (Army EFMP, Navy EFMP, Air Force EFMP, Marine Corps EFMP), but the core purpose is the same.
How EFMP Affects Your PCS Orders
When orders are generated for an EFMP-enrolled servicemember, the assignment officer must coordinate with the gaining installation to verify that appropriate services are available for the enrolled family member. This process is called "EFMP coordination" or "EFMP screening."
The gaining installation's EFMP coordinator reviews the family member's needs against available services in the area. If the installation cannot support the family member's documented needs, the assignment can be changed. This is a significant protection, it means your family's needs are a legitimate factor in your assignment, not just your unit's needs.
Important caveats:
- EFMP is not a guarantee that you will be assigned where you want to go. It only screens out assignments where documented needs cannot be met
- The process takes time, sometimes weeks. This can delay receipt of your official orders
- If you believe an assignment was made incorrectly (i.e., services aren't actually available at the gaining installation), you have the right to appeal through your branch's EFMP office
The ECHO Program
The Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) is a TRICARE supplemental program available to EFMP-enrolled family members. ECHO provides services that TRICARE Basic does not cover, including:
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for autism spectrum disorder
- In-home care and respite care
- Assistive communication devices
- Comprehensive family support services
ECHO has a monthly maximum benefit that varies by the severity of the family member's condition. There are copayments based on the sponsor's pay grade. Enrollment in EFMP is required before you can access ECHO.
IEP Transfers During a PCS Move
One of the most stressful aspects of PCS moves for EFMP families is transferring IEPs and school-based services. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires receiving school districts to honor a transferring student's IEP, either by implementing the existing IEP or developing a comparable one, while the new IEP is finalized.
Practical steps for IEP transfers:
- Request your child's complete IEP, recent evaluation reports, and progress notes at least 60 days before your move
- Contact the special education coordinator at your gaining installation's School Liaison Office (SLO) as early as possible
- Reach out directly to the receiving school district's special education department before you arrive, don't wait until your first day
- Know your child's rights: the new district must provide services from the first day of enrollment, not after they've completed their own evaluation
- If the new district delays or refuses services, contact the base's School Liaison Officer and, if necessary, the state's Special Education Department
Military Family Support Resources for EFMP Families
- Installation EFMP Office: Every major installation has an EFMP coordinator who can assist with enrollment, transition planning, and connecting families to local resources
- Military OneSource: Offers free specialty consultations for EFMP families including special needs consultants, education consultants, and financial counselors
- School Liaison Officers (SLOs): Available at every major installation; they are your best resource for navigating educational transitions
- STOMP (Specialized Training of Military Parents): A federally funded parent training and information center specifically serving military families with special needs children
- TRICARE ECHO: Contact your regional TRICARE contractor to understand ECHO enrollment and benefits at your new location before you PCS
Ready to put this into action?
Connect with a verified military real estate agent at your gaining installation, or start planning your PCS with our free Mission Planner tool.