Help available for Reserve special needs families

DUKE FIELD — For 919th Special Operations Wing personnel looking for help or information on the Exceptional Family Member Program, there’s a direct contact just down the road at Eglin.
Michelle Dent, from Eglin’s Airman and Family Readiness, works with installation and community agencies to help families navigate the various special needs networks available.
“In most areas, I can help our Reservists with these issues, the same way I can active duty,” said Dent, who has a special needs child herself and understands the complex web of services out there.
Those areas are early intervention services (birth to 3-years-old) special education, understanding your rights, adult services like vocational rehabilitation services, Medicaid waivers and more.
She has also provided workshops, training, support groups and entertainment activities for EFMP families in the past.
“I’ve rented the Gulfarium for our EFMP families and partnered with Outdoor Recreation for special events,” she said. “It is a great way for our families to connect.”
All of the events Dent puts together are advertised on the EFMP Facebook page.
Dent said a large amount of questions she receives concerns Respite Care and Tricare Echo, two particular health services that benefit special needs families. Both have specific requirements for Reserve members and she can clear up any confusion with those specific rules.
“We at Eglin are there to support the Reserves at Duke the best way we can,” she said.
For more information, or to talk with Eglin’s EFMP specialist, call 883-4342.