The Department of Defense (DoD) recently initiated a public comment period regarding a proposed information collection crucial for its Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). Published in the Federal Register on August 24, 2026, this 60-day notice, issued by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (OUSD(P&R)), seeks public input on the ongoing necessity and efficacy of data collection vital for military and civilian families with special needs. This process, mandated by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ensures the DoD maintains a robust system for supporting dependents with medical or educational requirements during assignment and relocation decisions.
The Exceptional Family Member Program's Core Mission
The EFMP is a comprehensive program designed to identify and address the medical and educational needs of military dependents. Its fundamental purpose is to ensure that service members are assigned to locations where their families can access the necessary specialized services, thereby preventing undue hardship and enhancing military readiness by reducing family-related stress. The proposed information collection specifically involves two key forms: DD Form 2792, known as the "Family Member Medical Summary," and DD Form 2792-1, the "Special Education/Early Intervention Summary."
These forms serve multiple critical functions. They are used to enroll sponsors into the EFMP, to consider the special needs of family members and the availability of medical and educational services through the Family Member Travel Screening (FMTS) process, and to advise DoD civilian employees about the availability of medical and educational services for their special needs family members in overseas locations. This layered approach ensures that families are supported whether they are military or civilian, and whether they are moving domestically or internationally.
The Information Collection Process and Its Application
The data collection process is a collaborative effort. The sponsor or family member initiates the process by completing the demographic sections of both DD Form 2792 and DD Form 2792-1. Subsequently, a qualified medical provider completes the medical summary on DD Form 2792, detailing any special medical conditions. Similarly, special education or early intervention staff complete the early intervention or special education summary on DD Form 2792-1, outlining educational support needs. A critical component of this process is the explicit authorization provided by the sponsor or family member for the disclosure of medical and educational information, ensuring privacy protocols are respected.
Once collected, this information is provided to EFMP medical personnel for program enrollment. Both medical and educational screening personnel then utilize this data to determine the availability of necessary resources. The resulting medical and or educational recommendations are then supplied to the appropriate Military Department's personnel department, directly informing future assignment decisions for service members. This integrated system ensures that family needs are a primary consideration in military placements. Furthermore, the collected data also aids DoD civilian employees who are contemplating overseas job opportunities, allowing them to make informed decisions about relocating with family members who have special medical or educational needs.
Public's Role and Comment Opportunities
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the DoD is soliciting public comment on several aspects of this information collection. Interested parties are invited to provide feedback on whether the proposed collection is truly necessary for the agency's functions and possesses practical utility. Comments are also sought regarding the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden imposed by this information collection, which currently stands at 15,613 annual burden hours across 98,608 respondents, with an average of 9.5 minutes per response, collected triennially. The DoD also encourages suggestions on ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected, and methods to minimize the burden on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
All comments, identified by the docket number DOD-2026-OS-1783, must be received by October 23, 2026. Submissions can be made via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov or by mail to the Department of Defense's Regulatory Division. This public engagement period is a vital step in ensuring that federal information collection practices remain efficient, effective, and responsive to the needs of the public they serve, particularly in sensitive areas such as military family support.
