What Transitioning EFMP Military Families Need to Know

April 5, 2024

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) military families have always had to navigate complex and often frustrating situations to ensure the best care and consideration is given to their family members.

The word around the military community is that each duty station seems to have its own system and processes that EFMP families must learn to work within to receive appropriate care and thrive where they are.

Now transition out of active-duty life looms and the questions families are facing may be even more difficult to find answers to. EFMP families need to maintain continuity of care and ensure that services are available where they land after active-duty military life.

It’s an additional difficult consideration that can overshadow the other types of questions we ask ourselves like, “Where should we live?” and “What kind of employment should I be looking for?”

Watch the full replay!

Meet our Guest

Austin Carrigg bio for MilSpouse Transition

Austin Carrigg, CEO, Exceptional Families of the Military (EFM)

Austin Carrigg is the founder and chief executive officer of Exceptional Families of the Military (EFM). Austin is an Army spouse of 21 years and the mother of 3 children, ages 22, 19, and 11.

In 2020, Austin Founded Exceptional Families of the Military (EFM) after testifying before the House Armed Service Committee in an effort to unite the voices of military families like hers and raise their voices collectively to incite change.

Exceptional Families of the Military represents the more than 148,000 families enrolled in EFMP with a mission to connect military families with Disabilities, Special Healthcare Needs, or additional educational needs from all branches of service in order to navigate within the Exceptional Family Member Programs and identify areas of improvement that affect the families they represent.

Using the data they collect while simultaneously assisting families, they endeavor to create long-lasting systematic changes in the laws and regulations that affect EFMP families.

Is TAP for Military Spouses Conversation Q&A

Please share your story as an EFMP family and how you started your non-profit, Exceptional Families of the Military.
How does the transition out of active duty military life impact EFMP families? Is it more than other families? What are their fears?
What key insights or advice would you offer to military families that are considerations they need to be thinking about as they navigate the transition process?
What should they be looking for in their new community post-transition?
How can families stay updated on the latest developments and resources available for transitioning military families with special needs children?