LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Glitter, glue and giggles were the ingredients for the Exceptional Family Member Program’s Valentine’s Day event Feb. 4, 2017, at the Airman & Family Readiness Center on Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.
The event resulted in unique gifts created by children and their siblings enrolled in EFMP as well as a chance to play with friends.
EFMP is a community of military and civilian agencies which provide comprehensive and coordinated community support, housing, educational, medical and personnel services to families of children with special circumstances.
Ranging from anxiety, stress from a parent’s deployment, Down syndrome and other conditions, the goal of the program is to provide care and support to the children and their families.
Not only does EFMP ensure families are stationed at bases with appropriate resources for their children, it also makes social opportunities available.
“Events like this give parents an opportunity to relax and enjoy their families and network with other families in an environment that is caring and positive,” said Steve Jones, EFMP manager. “It's all about having a good time.”
EFMP is designed to provide assistance to Airmen and their families by ensuring equal opportunities are available to military family members experiencing special or difficult circumstances; one of the avenues of care is ensuring the families have fun.
EFMP events, although targeted for children, show parents that their children are receiving the care they need and deserve.
As the children made artwork and played, the parents socialized and discussed a variety of topics ranging from personal struggles to sharing interesting news.
“I think it’s a wonderful event,” said Brittany Boccher, Little Rock Air Force Base Key Spouses Club president. “It gives the families an opportunity to get together and meet with other families that are going through the same thing.”
For information about EFMP, call (501) 987-2676.