Bridging the Gap

  • Published
  • By Pamela D. Flemions
  • Airman and Family Readiness Center
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas-- --  In a Defense Department bloggers' roundtable conducted Sept.14, Lt. Gen. Richard Newton, III, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Personnel, addressed the issue of closing gaps in the area of helping our special needs families, as they navigate through some of the challenges associated with moving from base to base. Goodfellow is one of 35 installations worldwide with a designated family support EFMP coordinator located in Airman and Family Readiness Center. The family support EFMP coordinator will help Airmen and their families connect with community/family support services through:
· Information and referral, before, during, and after Permanent Change of Station, to on-base, off-base local, state and federal services.
· Support Services in the form of outreach programs.
· Community awareness and education on EFMP.

In addition the EFMP, the family support coordinator works closely with the base School Liaison Officer and can refer families to advocacy and relocation assistance. Utilize the EFMP family support coordinator to know your resources and stay informed. Recently the Discovery Resource Center at Airman and Family Readiness received more than 50 books and several DVDs for special needs families, which can be checked out for 30 days. These and other available resources include:
Airmen & Family Readiness Center
· Discovery Resource Center (Special Needs Resource Center)
· Air Force Aid Society Respite Care Program
· http://www.afas.org/Community/RespiteCareProgram.cfm
· Give Parents a Break
· Autism Asperger's Digest Magazine
· Military Child Education Coalition On the Move magazine
· School Liaison Officer
www.militaryonesource.com/specialneeds
· DoD Special Needs Parent Tool Kit
· Special Care Organizational Records (SCOR)
www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil
· Military Community & Family Policy EFMP eNewsletter
www.militarychild.org
· Military Child Education Coalition
www.stompproject.org
· Specialized Training of Military Parents
17th Medical Group
· Hosts quarterly Town Hall Meetings

For more information about the EFMP program or if you are interested in forming a support group or have any recommendations for classes or workshops please contact pamela.flemions@goodfellow.af.mil, (325)654-3893, the Airman & Family Readiness Center, building 145 or make an appointment @ www.familysupportgoodfellow.org.