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Scott EFMP program brings families together

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joshua Eikren
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Office
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center actively works with families of special needs children through the Exceptional Family Member Program to offer activities and host events that strengthen the community at Scott Air Force Base.

"Here at Scott we have a very active Family Support program that helps families navigate the system during their transition and upon arrival to a new base," said Brenda Reed, 375th Force Support Squadron family support specialist. "We provide resources for Respite Care, assist in finding specialists they may need, as well as helping connect them to the community."

The EFMP helps identify and document special medical and educational needs of active duty family members and factors those needs into the assignment process. Family members, who require special medical or educational services based on a diagnosed physical, intellectual, or emotional handicap, must be enrolled in this program.

Special needs may include special medical, mental health, developmental or educational requirement, wheelchair accessibility, adaptive equipment, or assistive technology devices and services. Identified disabilities may range from mild to severe.

"We have many opportunities for the whole family to enjoy, as well as providing additional supports for moms, dads, and the typically developing sibling of a child with special needs," said Reed.

EFMP enrollment does not harm one's military career. The goal of the program is to consider a family member's special need during the assignment coordination process. Sponsors are still deployable according to the needs of the service.

"As a mom of a special needs son, who is 17 years old now we have lots of fun participating in the EFMP programs," said Alice Howe. "We meet other special needs families in the area and become great friends."

The EFMP hosts various events for the kids, parents or the whole family to participate in from Camp Wingman to Mom or Dad Nights Out, and the annual Special Olympics Program.

"Camp Wingman is our newest activity and is designed to support the typically developing siblings of the children with special needs," said Reed. "This activity was created with the idea of allowing kids who have siblings with special needs an opportunity to get away and hang out with other kids who share their same experiences."

The Special Olympics Program offers six sporting activities annually by partnering with base facilities to offer bowling, golf, softball, basketball, volleyball and track and field. Team Scott participates in the local and state competitions for these activities.

Howe said, "As a Special Olympic coach, I get to meet a lot of other special needs children and their families and teach them new skills. We get great support from the base agencies, so we can have weekly practices on base. With the support of the community, it brings awareness to others about our special needs children and how talented they are in various sports."

Scott's athletes compete in Special Olympics Area 12, and those who earn gold medals move on to Illinois State level competitions.

A monthly "Lunch Bunch" is also held as a traditional support group, which meets the first Thursday of the month at a local restaurant for lunch. Parents can bring their small children or come alone. It is another way for parents to engage with and meet new people who may have the same or similar family needs.

"When you attend these activities as a family, you get to socialize with other families similar to yours, make new friends, become a support system for others, discuss issues you are having and get resources you need, and feel like you fit in, because they are all sensory friendly events," said Howe. "And as things arise you are not looked down upon; you just keep enjoying the events until they are over."

The EFMP also partners with Healthy Military Kids 5210 for EFMP/5210 Garden to Table Program. Through this partnership they provide an educational hands-on learning experience for families to learn about gardening and the foods we eat.

Reed added, "They plant a garden with fun activities to learn as they go and have cooking classes with demonstrations. We will also be bringing the opportunity for commissary tours to the activity this year."

By offering activities year round and during holidays, the EFMP looks to provide an opportunity for families to participate in the same type of activities as others.

"I am so happy this program came along when it did," said Howe. "As a mom who is always trying new things to keep my son busy, it is so nice to have it on Scott AFB. Otherwise, I would be traveling all over the state of Illinois, looking for things for my son to do in the local area. It's nice to have programs close to home."

For more information on the Exceptional Family Member Program contact the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 256-8668.