Special Needs Connections Network

“Special Needs Families networking together”

Support Groups

First Tuesday of Every Month
1 Dec, 5 Jan, 2 Feb, 2 Mar, 6 Apr, 4 May
1830-2030

Special Needs Connections Network
Parents of children and adults with special needs are invited. Come meet and socialize with others facing some of the same issues you may be experiencing. In return, you may be able to provide support and information that someone else may need. Various topics will be discussed at each meeting and when available, guests from military & local agencies will be there to answer questions. FREE childcare will be available, advance reservations are required, call 451-2672. Please RSVP for the meeting to receive location by calling 450-8467. POC: Holly Brumage - Email brumagehm@usmc-mccs.org

Grand Opening

Grand Opening

NC Believe in Myself State Pagaent

Pagaent

Camp Special Time

Camp Special Time is an overnight respite camp for special needs children. The camp has been designed to provide respite for parents and create a fun filled weekend for the campers. The camp is offered to children with special needs ages birth to eighteen of active duty military, retired military, active/inactive reserves and employees of Department of Defense and Marine Corps Community Services three times per year (October, February, and April) at the Stone Street Youth Pavilion on Camp Lejeune. Campers arrive at 0900 on a Saturday and leave around 1200 on the following Sunday. While at Camp Special Time each child is able to participate in developmentally appropriate activities in a safe child friendly environment.  Enthusiastic volunteers and staff help to facilitate an interactive pleasurable camp experience for each camper. The majority of our volunteers are nursing, occupational and recreational therapy students from local colleges. Parents are able to enjoy temporary relief from child care activities and engage in other familial and or community activities. For more information on how to apply for Camp Special Time, please contact your EFMP Specialist.

Application for Camp Special Time
(Adobe PDF) or (Word Document)

 

Exceptional Family Member Program

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory enrollment program (MCO P1754.4A) for all active duty personnel with family members with special needs. The goal of EFMP is to assist military families in managing the dual demands of a Marine Corps career and the special needs of a family member.   An exceptional family member includes a family member enrolled in DEERS who possesses a diagnosed physical, intellectual or emotional need that requires specialized medical or educational services. Enrollment in the EFMP program is designed to assist the sponsor with assignment to a duty station where appropriate services necessary to support the family member(s) are available. Installation EFMP Specialists are available to assist sponsors and their family members with the enrollment process, resource, referral, and support before, during and after Permanent Duty Station transitions.  Specialists also serve as advocates for EFMP families to ensure access to vital medical, educational and community services. For more information about the EFMP program please contact your installation specialist.

Common Misconceptions about the
Exceptional Family Member Program

“I will be labeled”
            Registry in the program will not be an element of the Manpower Management System, individual record books or parent command records of the spouse.

“I will be forced into assignments that will hinder promotions and career opportunities”
            Enrollment cannot prejudice advancement or career opportunities of sponsors.  The sponsor has the option of accepting an assignment while the family is supported in another location.

“As an EFMP sponsor, I cannot be deployed”
            The program has no impact on the deployment responsibilities of the sponsor.  Overseas unaccompanied, unit deployments, and standard deployments must be carried out without interruption.

“Enrollment in the program will allow me to select a duty station”
            The program ensures that the sponsor will be assigned to a location where appropriate services exist.  When the monitor’s “first pick” assignment is not suitable for the sponsor’s family,  the EFMP Manager at HQ Marine Corps will examine the most recent case information and determine the best assignment based on the needs of the Marine Corps, the sponsor’s career pattern and the special needs of the family.

“I will not be eligible for an overseas accompanied assignment as an EFMP sponsor”
            Overseas screening is the same for all families anticipating accompanied orders if the special need of you family member can be met by the receiving location.  If the special needs of the family member can be met by the receiving location, an accompanied assignment may be authorized.

“Accepting preferential treatment from the program indicates an inability to carry out my responsibilities”
            The program only prescribes an agreed upon the systematic manner to communicate your special needs when a random assignment is not suitable for you.  In fact, most special needs can be accommodated at Quantico, VA and Camp Pendleton, CA.  In many cases, the situation can e addressed with a standard East or West coast assignment.

The EFMP Team
Maria Ready – EFMP Branch Head
Tresa Livingston – Specialist 910-451-4105
Nancy Rice – Specialist 910-451-4104
Jerome Foster – Specialist 910-449-9715
Holly Brumage – Training, Education, & Outreach Specialist
910-451-4103
Ellen Poirier – Administrative Assistant 910-451-4394

Lawyer

Respite Care

40 hours/month free child care is now available for exceptional children of Marines! You may be eligible for EFMP Respite Care if you are a Marine Corps Family and you:

  • Have children residing at home,
  • Are registered with EFMP on your base, and
  • Are stationed at one of the following Marine Corps Bases*:
    MCB Camp Pendleton, CA
    MCAS Miramar, CA
    MCRD San Diego, CA
    MCB Quantico, VA
    Henderson Hall, VA
    MCAS Beaufort, SC
    MCRD Parris Island, SC
    MCAS Cherry Point, NC
    MCAS New River, NC
    MCB Camp LeJeune, NC
  • There are no income restrictions; the service is free to eligible Marine Corps families.

--> Click here for more information.

Playgroup

MCCS, Camp Lejeune
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