Army, AF support EFMP members

Children’s laughter mixed with the regular lunchtime bustle at the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center food court during a recent Exceptional Family Member Program fun fair.

Children played games and won prizes, while parents got helpful information at the event, hosted by 86th Airlift Wing EFMP, School Liaison Offices programs. U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern Army Community Service also supported the event.
“It has been a really good experience being able to play games and learn more about the EFMP,” said Jordan Van Parys, 13, a student at Ramstein Middle School.

Nancy Hoehn, the 86th AW EFMP family support coordinator, said the idea behind this event was to provide fun for the children, allowing representatives from the school liaison offices; Educational & Developmental Intervention Services; Women, Infants, and Children Overseas Program; Family Child Care coordinators; and child development centers a chance to communicate about what benefits and helps family assistance agencies and what they could offer their families.

“The event has been a huge success. We have talked to over 200 families,” Hoehn said. “We hosted a similar event back in August, which only saw roughly 130 families. We attribute the increase to the addition of fun and games.”

Events like the one held Jan. 18 in the KMCC really depict the true meaning of EFMP being a comprehensive and multiagency program, said Victor Garcia Jr., the Kaiserslautern ACS EFMP manager.

Those who might have missed out on the extravaganza can look forward to a similar event with fun-filled games and information on March 30.

For more information on EFMP at U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern, call 0631-3406-4094.