EFMP announces local 2019 special events

  • Published
  • By Kiersten McCutchan
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Military families who have special needs can get tailored, special support at Malmstrom Air Force Base through a program designed by the Air Force called the Exceptional Family Member Program.

This formal program provides information and referral support to Airmen and their family members, adult and youth, who have special needs.

By definition, the exceptional family member is a family member who has a diagnosed physical, educational, intellectual, emotional or psychological condition that requires specialized medical or educational services.

Any family who does have these needs must be enrolled in EFMP. If they are not, EFMP family support specialists can get that family started in enrollment, said Holly Wick, 341st Missile Wing EFMP family support specialist.

EFMP has three components--family support, medical and assignments--and the people in these groups help military families enroll in EFMP and provide for EFMP enrollment at their next command if the family moves.

EFMP specialists also work to ensure families receive comprehensive, coordinated support through the military and civilian communities they live in.

Help can include referrals to base and community group services, special resource materials, social and recreational special events and educational support.

No EFMP enrollment does not mean no help for unique challenges
Wick said it's extremely important for everyone in the Malmstrom community to know that even if you are not enrolled in the formal EFMP program that many EFMP family support services are still available to all total force (guard, reserve, civilian) members of the Malmstrom community.

Wick said EFMP's resources are quadrupled, and sources of help and information become almost unlimited, when you take into account the resources and help of all their partners: the wing's school liaison officer, military and family life counselors, the Airman and Family Readiness Center, the child development center--and those are just some of the on base groups.

EFMP family support also has a network with national groups and resources, Wick said.

An EFMP committee chair pointed out a great, non-traditional example of what EFMP can do. Here's the example: a Malmstrom civilian may require special accommodations at work to do his or her job.

Wick's office has connections with a local group that specializes in evaluating occupational workspaces and make formal recommendations for reasonable accommodations that may help make the work of that employee easier.

2019 EFMP special events
Malmstrom Air Force Base EFMP has already scheduled their 2019 special events.

Unlike EFMP services, EFMP special events are designed for EFMP members only, and space is limited.

The events are free, and EFMP family support specialists ask that families pick the top three events they'd like to attend and call 731-2078 to register, or for more information.

It doesn't matter if your EFMP member is a child or a grown-up. If you are an EFMP member, you may attend the event, Wick said.

The 2019 EFMP special events line-up is as follows:

STEM Starbase Battlebots
5:00 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, January 25
STARBASE, 2800 Airport Ave. B, Great Falls, Mont.

Fun Food for Families
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 29
Pizazz, 403 Central Ave., Great Falls, Mont.

Ceramics Night Out (adult only event)
6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, February, 22
Paris Gibson Square, 1400 1st Ave. N., Great Falls, Mont.

Desserts Night (adult only event)
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, February26
Pizazz, 403 Central Ave., Great Falls, Mont.

Ceramics Night Out (adult only event)
6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, March 1
Paris Gibson Square, 1400 1st Ave. N., Great Falls, Mont.

Parent & Child Pottery 4-Week Class (ages 7 and up)
1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays, March 9, March 16, March 23 and March 30
Paris Gibson Square, 1400 1st Ave. N., Great Falls, Mont.

Parent & Young Child Pottery (ages 3 to 7)
3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 3
Paris Gibson Square, 1400 1st Ave. N., Great Falls, Mont.

Tippy Toes Creative Movement
4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., Tuesdays, April 9, April 16, April 23 and April 30
Eagle Mount Activity Center, Great Falls, Mont.

Appetizers Night (adult only event)
5:50 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 7
Pizazz, 403 Central Ave., Great Falls, Mont.

Adaptive Indoor Rock Climbing
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, May 18
The Hi-Line Climbing Center, 608 1st Ave. S., Great Falls, Mont.

Equine Assisted Learning
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, July 16
Eagle Mount Equestrian Center, 4792 13th St. S., Great Falls, Mont.

Fun Food for Families
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 23
Pizazz, 403 Central Ave., Great Falls, Mont.

Adaptive Indoor Rock Climbing
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Friday, August 9
The Hi-Line Climbing Center, 608 1st Ave. S., Great Falls, Mont.

Gates of the Mountains Family Boat Tour
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday, August 2
3131 Gates of the Mountain Rd., Helena, Mont.