Workshop to help siblings with care

Published July 30, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Amber Carter
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Exceptional Family Member Program and the Special Needs Task Force at Travis Air Force Base, California, are scheduled to host a Sibling Support Workshop from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. July 31 at the First Street Chapel Annex.

The SibShop is a workshop for youth ages 8 to 13 who have siblings with special needs which will include recreational and peer support activities.

"Often, the role of the siblings of children with special needs can be underestimated," said Kevin Hamilton, 60th Force Support Squadron EFMP coordinator. "These siblings will most likely be the longest living relative in the lives of their brothers or sisters and it's important that they have their own peer support network."

Travis has one of the largest EFMP populations in the Air Force. Its mission is to identify medical and educational service requirements of family members in support of active-duty sponsor reassignment and civilian employment overseas.

"After a family is identified as EFMP, it's important that they know about all the resources in the community," Hamilton said. "Many EFMP families will call Travis 'home' for longer than usual, so promoting a sense of community is priority in the EFM program."

EFMP and the Special Needs Task Force host many events throughout the year such as the annual Autism Walk, sensory playgroups, summer pool parties, monthly family potlucks and individualized services, as needed.

For more information about EFMP, email kevin.hamilton.5@us.af.mil or call 424-4342.