Military families with loved ones who have special needs face a variety of unique challenges, especially considering they also have to relocate regularly. On top of their particular circumstances and frequent uprooting, many don’t know where to find necessary resources and often have no idea where to start looking.

When they find the services their loved one requires, there are often long waitlists and seemingly insurmountable checklists to fulfill before acquiring those services. It doesn’t take long for all those challenges to add up and lead to feelings of frustration and isolation from the rest of the community.

The Army Community Service Exceptional Family Member Family Support program links active-duty military Families with loved ones with special needs to medical, educational, and recreational resources available within the community to help alleviate those challenges and foster a connected community.
EFMP Family Support collaborates with agencies throughout the local community to address these barriers to bring accessible resources and educational/recreational activities directly to Families.

The ACS EFMP Family Support office is collaborating with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, NC Assistive Technology Program to host an Adaptive Recreation and Gaming Resource Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 12 at the Smith Lake Recreation Center.

The event offers opportunities for families with disabilities to connect with others and get hands-on experience with the latest technology in adaptive recreational activities and gaming. The Resource Fair is open to individuals of all ages and disabilities, as agencies around the community will have adaptive activities for every family to try.

Attendees will experience activities and displays, from video games and dancing to fitness activities such as hand cycling and martial arts, to fishing/hunting, therapeutic animals, and much more.

“Our families deserve every opportunity to get and stay connected within the community,” says Amy Melendez, Exceptional Family Member Program Manager. “Supportive adaptive environments like this promote community integration and help reduce the ongoing challenge of social isolation among individuals with disabilities.”

In addition to the Resource Fair, Fort Liberty’s EFMP Family Support program provides other outlets for Families with special needs through numerous educational, awareness and adaptive recreational activities specially adapted to their needs.

These services offer unique opportunities for family members to build social connections, experience inclusivity, improve mobility and fitness, increase self-confidence and reliance, enhance cognitive skills, and bond through shared disabilities and experiences. These experiences ultimately enhance the entire family’s well-being, standard of living and quality of life.

Opportunities range from classes to recurring events such as support groups and sensory-friendly story time at the library.

For more details on events or to register for the Resource Fair, visit FortLibertyACSEFMP.TimeTap.com or call EFMP Family Support at 910-643-9642.