Special needs families share concerns at meeting

  • Published
  • By Maj. Brandon Lingle
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  More than 40 Travis families discussed the base's Exceptional Family Member Program with wing and David Grant USAF Medical Center leadership at a town hall meeting here Nov. 6.

The Air Force's EFMP serves as a multi-agency approach to manage medical, personnel, education, and other support for Airmen with special needs family members.

"We hope to encourage an ongoing conversation about our EFMP program," said Elaine Daly-Rath, Travis EFMP-Family Support coordinator. "Travis has 533 families enrolled in the EFMP program. That's significantly more than most bases, so it's crucial we have a dialogue to ensure our program is the best it can be."

"This forum offers an opportunity for people to let us know about their concerns," said Col. Corey Martin, 60 AMW commander, "It's important that our people don't suffer in silence. We want to know if people are having difficulties."

After opening remarks by Col. Martin and a brief overview of the EFMP program, Lt. Col. (Dr.) Mark Nassir, 60th Medical Group deputy commander, led a question and answer session between families and a panel of physicians, nurses, administrators and program leads.

The panel addressed a variety of topics like the status of the pediatrics department, availability of licensed psychiatric and psychology services, primary care manager continuity, emergency Department sensitivities, referral process difficulties, extended care health option program, durable medical equipment, pharmacy concerns, TRICARE network capabilities, the possible formation of a support group and the inability to reimburse travel expenses for care provided within 100 miles of DGMC.

"David Grant Medical Center acknowledges the many challenges faced by our special needs families," Nassir said. "Our hospital staff truly cares and we look forward to increased partnering with our EFMP families to find the best way ahead given each patient's situation."

Representatives from the 60th Mission Support Group also updated families.

"We recently got funds approved for a new special needs playground that will include an adaptable swing set," said Brian Floyd, 60th Force Support Squadron Deputy Director. "If everything stays on schedule we should see the contractor starting construction no later than January."

Daly-Rath also highlighted the importance of the Travis Special Needs Task Force, an advisory committee composed of EFMP parents, caregivers, and community support agencies.

"You all have a lot of advice for each other and that's the key to our program," she said. "Mutual family support is important. There's strength in connecting families."

"It's obvious these families have a lot of scar tissue," Martin said. "What I'd like to do is focus on the future. Let's look at this program going forward and see how we can improve it. I hope, despite the scar tissue of the past, we can focus on making this better in the future."

For more information about the Travis EFMP program, call Daly-Rath at 424-2486.