Letters & Numbers event on Okinawa

Photo By Cpl. Jovane Holland | Jalesia Clardy-Josephs, 7, smiles through her letter O at an Exceptional Family Member Program event, Aug. 12. Clardy- Josephs attends E.C. Killin Elementary School.  

08.12.2009

Story by Pfc. Jovane Holland 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

The Exceptional Family Member Program hosted a Letters & Numbers event for children with exceptional needs at the Personnel Services Center, Aug. 12.

According to Marine Corps Order P1754.4A, the EFMP is a mandatory enrollment program for all active-duty personnel and active reservists with special needs family members.

"The primary objective of EFMP is to ensure that Marine sponsors are assigned to locations where services exist to support their exceptional family member," said Elizabeth Treon, the EFMP manager for Okinawa and mainland Japan. "An exceptional family member includes those with psychological, educational or medical needs."

The Letters & Numbers event was part of the 2nd Annual Exceptionally Fun Summer Series, which hosts free activities to exceptional family members throughout the summer months. Activities include bowling, cake decorating, cooking, gardening, children's crafts, Kokeshi doll-making, swimming and yoga.

Treon said the extracurricular event supported the concept of "playing to learn".
"The activities we host are educational, but we make it fun for the kids," she said. "They have no idea while they're enjoying themselves, they're also mastering motor and social skills."

Jennifer Schrager, an occupational therapist with the Educational Development Intervention Services, taught the course, and said the method was a great way for the children to become efficient writers.

"The kids really have fun while they're learning," she said. "It's so exciting to see them learn and observe how they grow."

Children participated in several events, including a flashlight-writing session, painting activity, singing and dancing.

The children also received encouragement and extra help from their parents, who stayed at the class for the afternoon as well.

"They take their time working with the kids," Kimberly Brochin said about the EFMP staff. Her son, Gavin Brochin, 4, was a participant. "All the activities they provide are just awesome, and Gavin always looks forward to coming," she said.

Gavin said he enjoyed his time at the event, too.

"I liked painting best," he said.

There are not many opportunities, schools or programs available specifically for English-speaking exceptional family members living on base, so events like this are important, Treon said.

"The EFMP goes the extra mile to make sure no steps are missed when assisting these families," Treon said. "We provide the activities, many of them free of charge, and try to keep it interactive and interesting."

Treon said she is eager to continue providing activities for EFMP with the cooperation of Educational and Developmental Intervention Services and recognizes the benefits received from families who participate.

"It's wonderful to have these families together sharing experiences, challenges and triumphs," she said. "They really bond together to relate to and empower each other. One family may have more experience with their exceptional family member and be able to share lessons with a newly diagnosed child and their family. That is the best benefit of the EFMP."

In addition to activities like this, EFMP also provides counseling, respite care and more, to those enrolled in the program.

Treon encourages leaders to contact Training and Education Outreach Program specialist Sandra Beecher to educate Marines about EFMP because some may not realize they qualify for these services.

"You never know how or when or if your life will be affected by the challenge of caring for an EFM, especially overseas," she said. "It's important to know what venues of support you have available."

• Date Taken: 08.12.2009
• Date Posted: 09.01.2009 19:09
• Story ID: 38261