Promote the implementation of the “Medical Home” model among military and civilian providers of health care for EFMP families. (See recommendation #5.) With an emphasis on medical case management and coordination, Medical Home will facilitate communication between losing and gaining health care providers and health care systems, reduce unnecessary redundancy, and streamline access to specialists. (22) Educate the military and civilian community about EFMP (i.e., base and unit leadership, military and civilian health care providers, relevant base and community agencies and providers, including LEAs, and members of the USMC community at large) by designing and implementing a robust, ongoing, multifaceted public relations (PR) campaign to educate stakeholders and the USMC community as a whole to: Raise their awareness of today’s EFMP and sensitivity to EFM issues. Publicize the specific benefits of enrollment. Mitigate myths, concerns about stigma, and resulting resistance to enrollment. Increase the capacity of the entire community (i.e., military leaders, military and civilian health care providers, base and community agencies, LEAs, USMC community members) to inform USMC families about EFMP and to be a supportive presence in the lives of USMC families with members with disabilities. Promote the Medical Home model, particularly within the military and civilian health care communities. (33)
Recommendations for USMC Conduct an accessibility review of human service programs and facilities, including base housing, on USMC bases. Develop plans for each base to make programs and facilities accessible, that is, ADA compliant, if they are not already. Execute plans as appropriate. (1) Currently families are paid mileage for travel to medical appointments 100 or more miles away. Modify the existing policy to include reimbursement for frequent visits to more proximate medical appointments, which can pose a comparable financial burden. (7) In order to eradicate lingering myths about the assignment process, which can discourage enrollment or foster negativity about EFMP, actively promote awareness about the current EFMP “informed assignment process” among EFMP families and the USMC community at large. (16) Determine the validity of continuing concerns about the impact of EFMP enrollment on a Marine’s career. Assess whether or not this lingering stigma is deserved by comparing rates of advancement among enrolled and nonenrolled Marines in comparable occupational specialties and year-groups. If no differences are observed, use this information to quell remaining concerns about enrollment within the USMC. Alternatively, if differences are observed, and enrollment does indeed affect advancement, take corrective action as appropriate. (32) Educate the military and civilian community about EFMP (i.e., base and unit leadership, military and civilian health care providers, relevant base and community agencies and providers, including LEAs, and members of the USMC community at large) by designing 35 12806 Pinefield Rd. | Poway, California 92064 | 858.524.6847 www.MilitarySpecialNeedsNetwork.com