Fort Gordon lies a few miles outside of Augusta, Ga. in an area known as the Central Savannah River Area. The installation is the home of the U.S. Army's Signal Center and School, Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Command, and many commands and agencies from across the Joint Forces of the U.S. military. Military families are able to access a variety of services through the Augusta medical community that include ten hospitals and the Medical College of Georgia. Of course, Augusta is the center of the golfing universe the first weekend of April, when the Masters Tournament is held at the Augusta National Golf Club.

Pamela Rachal, Fort Gordon's Army Community Service Exceptional Family Member Program Manager, helps Families access the Army Respite Care Program. Pamela points out that in order to access the Army Respite Care Program, your Family member must be enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program. To enroll or update a Family Member in Exceptional Family Member Program, stop by the Family Medicine Clinic in Room 110 at Eisenhower Army Medical Command on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday and see Pat Love. She can also be reached by phone at (706) 787-9300 or DSN 773- 9300."

"Fort Gordon has approximately 850 Family members enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program," says Pamela. In May 2007, Fort Gordon Families were able to complete the Army Respite Care Program eligibility process. "The Exceptional Family Member Program Respite Care Service has quickly become one of out most popular. Approximately 127 Families used the Respite Program in 2007. Currently, 200 Families per month are benefiting from the program, and this number can fluctuate month to month," states Pamela. Families use the program to catch up on needed sleep, go to the gym, and take personal time. "Some couples are using it to be able to go out on a date to dinner, since time is hard to come by when you are a parent with a child with a disability," says Pamela.

Army Community Service Exceptional Family Member Program staff has been working hard to spread the word about the Army Respite Care Program by advertising the Army Respite Care Program in the Exceptional Family Member Program quarterly newsletter FYI and in military and civilian newspapers.

Pamela shares: "Exceptional Family Member Program has several opportunities a month for support at the Family Outreach Center.

"The Army Community Service Exceptional Family Member Program support group holds meetings at 10:00 a.m. on the first, second and third Tuesdays of the month. Monthly Special Needs Accommodation Process meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Exceptional Family Member Program hosts a monthly Parent Information Exchange at 10:00 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday." Pamela continues, "We try our hardest to be available to anyone who has questions or concerns about Exceptional Family Member Program. We want to make sure that the Families and others have a clear understanding of the expectations and limitations of the Army Respite Program.

If you are wondering if your Exceptional Family member would qualify for the Army Respite Care Program, contact Pamela Rachal at (706) 791-4872, ext 3579, or DSN 780-4872, ext 3579, or by e-mail at pamela.rachal@us.army.mil. You can also stop by and see her at the Army Community Service in Darling Hall, Bldg. 33720, Suite 224.