JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. —
Queen E. Pringle, the 628th Force Support Squadron Exceptional Family Member Program coordinator, explains in detail on what the EFMP is and what it’s used for January 10, 2020 at Joint Base Charleston.
The Exceptional Family Member Program is part of the 628th Force Support Squadron Exceptional Family Member Program at the Airman and Family Readiness Center.
Q1. Is the EFMP only open to military members and civilian employees?
A1. As long as you have a Department of Defense ID card to get on base and you have a need for the family support services EFMP can provide those services.
Q2. Can you go into detail on what EFMP has to offer?
A2. EFMP provides non-medical case management to assess family needs. We help provide resources for families that have an identified need, whether it's medical or educational. We also make sure that they are provided with the resources that will help to improve or give them the tools to work out whatever their circumstances are. Whether it's medical, early intervention, or any type of needs.
Q3. When people come in, do they need to bring anything with them?
A3. No, EFMP will sit down with them and we'll have a conversation. Because the component is non-medical case management, a lot of that information is just talking through it, then EFMP is able to assess what the family's goals are. For instance, maybe they're looking to get with a specialized therapist so that way they can improve the situation within six months. Maybe they hope to be off this medication or just have a better outlook.
Q4. Where is it located?
A4. EFMP is located and building 500 at the Military Family Readiness Center. Right across from the Military Personnel Flight office. On the JB Charleston Weapons Station it’s at the Fleet and Family Support Center at building 755.
Q5. What hours are is it open and available?
A5. EFMP is open normal duty hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the air base and Tuesdays on the Weapons Station.
Q6. Is it open during the weekends?
A6. No, it's not open during the weekends but EFMP does have a very active Facebook page. It's not uncommon to have families drop a message in or have a question and they can apply there.
Q7. Does EFMP just take appointments or are walk-ins an option?
A7. EFMP is a touch point for service members when they're transitioning, whether they're separating or permanently changing stations saying they have to come see EFMP because it’s on the out processing checklist. Most cases EFMP takes them on a walk in, however, if they are enrolled in the EFMP program, EFMP needs to meet with them to fill out paperwork and sit down with the family to understand their circumstances. EFMP is able to put that in a document that can be shared with counterparts at the location that they're going to streamline the information. Those are done on appointments, but if someone needs to be cleared for their out processing, EFMP can do those on a walk in.
Q8. Is EFMP available to our mission partners (Army, Navy, Coastguard etc.) or is it just available to just the air force?
A8. It's available to every military member and their family. EFMP also helps tenant units for the Army for and Coast Guard. EFMP provides them with the same services available to active-duty members, also to include Reserve and Air National Guard members.
Q9. Is there any more information about EFMP that you would like people to know?
A9. EFMP is very important because it's required to have that identification for their family members to ensure that their needs are being assessed properly, that they have the resources and are educated on what is provided. As long as they're informed, they're empowered and that decreases anxiety. And as long as they understand and they're feeling like, okay, we can manage this, that ultimately improves retention. That's what we want to do. We want to ensure that our military members are confident knowing that their family members are being taken care of. Being educated on that side of the house is being taken care of, therefore, they can stay focused on the mission.