Resources
1. The MFRC Deployment Support
team has a wide variety
of deployment related resources for children and adults. Available
in English and French.
Resources for Adults
- Family Handbook
- Preparing for Deployment Stress
- Preparing for Critical Incident Stress
- Preparing for Reunion Stress
- CF Members Assistance Plan
Resources for Children & Youth
2. The MFRC Newsletter is published monthly, and contains up-to-date information
on what’s happening at home and overseas. Sign up for our
e-mail
distribution list, or download the MFRC
newsletter.
Social Activities
The MFRC Deployment Support team organizes periodic activities for families of deployed soldiers.
The primary purpose of these events is to provide you with an opportunity
to get out, meet with other families, and share experiences/advice in a relaxed
and fun setting. Check our
important
dates and our newsletter for the schedule
of upcoming events.
Information Briefings
In partnership with the Units, the MFRC Deployment Support team will host regular update briefings
for families. The intent of these regular briefings is to pass on the latest
news regarding deployments, advise families of new support resources and/or
activity opportunities in the Edmonton area, answer any questions, and provide
a general forum for the exchange of advice and ideas. Please check
important
dates and our newsletter for a schedule of upcoming information briefings.
Parent Unit Family Support Cell
Many units at Edmonton Garrison have internal Family Support Cells, to provide
families with an additional, local point of contact and source of support.
The MFRC Deployment Support team works in close collaboration with the Unit Family Support Cells,
to coordinate and provide deployment support programs for families.
The telephone numbers for all Unit Family Support Cells are found on the
first page of this booklet. We strongly encourage you to stay in touch with
your
partner’s Parent Unit.
A CF member’s PARENT UNIT is the unit to which the
member is posted. For example, an infantry member or a clerk
from 1 PPCLI tasked to Op ATHENA is still 1 PPCLI because that is the unit
to which
they are posted. Conversely, the parent unit for a medic with 1 PPCLI or
LdSH(RC), for example, is 1 Fd Amb because that is where they are posted.
Ops Unit Record Support (URS)
When a service member is deployed overseas, a Unit Records Section (URS) is
designated in Canada to hold all of the member’s military records for
the duration of the tour. The URS is responsible to provide administrative
and financial support to personnel deployed on operations. The typical functions
provided by a URS during a tour include ensuring that the member’s pay
is correct, that arrangements for leave (including reimbursement of funds)
are made, and that information regarding the member’s family address
and/or Next of Kin is correct and current. It is important to understand that
while the MFRC Deployment Support team can act as a local point of contact for assistance in dealing
with administrative problems, the URS is the only agency that can take the
physical action necessary to resolve it. Remember that you will need an approved
power of attorney form to access your partner’s pay while they are overseas.
This form can be obtained by the military member from the Unit Orderly Room
and needs to be completed before your partner deploys.
Military Family Support Agencies
There are many organizations and people that are available to lend support
to families during deployment. Some of these partners in support are listed
below.
Garrison Social Work Office
The Garrison Social Work Office (GSWO) is comprised of military and civilian
social workers well versed in the unique lifestyle of the military family.
The staff is available to assist with individual, marital and family counseling.
Other preventative services are also offered. Sometime just being able to
talk about your concerns can help you overcome, or at least reduce the feeling
of being overwhelmed by the demands of the military lifestyle. You can contact
the GSWO by calling the Garrison Operator at 973-4011.
Chaplains
The military Chaplains are well versed in the issues facing the families of
our military members. Both the Roman Catholic (RC) and Protestant Chaplains
are located in Lancaster Park. Many of the Units have their own Chaplains.
You can contact the unit to find out this information. During silent hours,
a “duty chaplain” is always available to look after emergency
situations. You can contact Pastoral care 24 hrs a day by calling the Garrison
Operator at 973-4011.
Military Family Resource Centre
The Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) provides the Edmonton Garrison and
its community with programs and services designed to enrich the quality of
life and enhance the morale and well-being of its members. Contact the MFRC
at 973-4011 ext. 6300
Programs and services offered by the MFRC are identified
within the following five core areas:
Information and Referral
The Information and Referral (I & R) program makes every effort to provide
information on both civilian and base services. Services offered include:
- Information Directory
- MFRC Website
- Program & Services brochures
- Media relations for families
- Membership database
- Professional referrals
Prevention and Intervention
The Prevention and Intervention (P & I) program provides free and confidential
services including:
- Assessment and referral services
- Short term counseling
- Emergency services
- 30 Wellness Place-MFRC Resource Library
Volunteer Services
Volunteering is a wonderful way to connect people with their community. The
MFRC strives to provide a positive and supportive atmosphere where you can
gain or develop skills, and be a part of the MFRC!
Please contact the MFRC, for more information on
volunteer opportunities.
Quality of Life
Our Quality of Life (QOL) programs encompass a variety of services designed
to strengthen the military family community, such as:
- Deployment Support
- Education/Employment Assistance
- Francophone services
- Special events
Children and Youth
The Children and Youth programs provide education and recreational activities
and information for children up to the age of 17, including:
- Full service, provincially licensed Daycare
- The Edge, MFRC Teen Centre
- Emergency Childcare
- Respite and Casual Care
- Playschool and other Preschool programs
Deployment Childcare
The MFRC Deployment Childcare program is available at no cost to families with
a parent deployed for more than four weeks, due to an exercise, training, course,
or international or domestic operation.
Childcare sessions are offered at regular intervals
during the month for children from age birth to 12 years. During
each session, children are supervised by experienced, childcare
providers in an environment appropriate to the child’s
age and developmental stage. Children have the opportunity to
participate in games, art activities, singing, story times and
outdoor play. The Edge, the MFRC’s teen centre is available
for school-aged children, to give them the opportunity to socialize
while playing video games, foosball, or one of the may other
activities in the centre.
Pre-registration for deployment childcare sessions
is required. The registration for each session closes two business
days before the scheduled date. For more information on
upcoming
deployment childcare dates, or to register, please call the
MFRC at 973-4011 ext. 6300.
Emergency Childcare
The MFRC Emergency Childcare Service (ECS) exists firstly, to support the ability
of CF members to be available for all types of duty, by ensuring parents access
to childcare in time of an emergency. Secondly, ECS exists to provide a resource
for parents who require childcare for work in general, by making them aware
of all the options available in their community.
The ECS program will provide financial support
for families during an emergency by paying for the childcare
during the first 72 hours, and a portion of further childcare
costs, if required, for up to seven days.
Emergencies may result due to:
- An unexpected deployment or requirement to be at work
- Medical or other problems which occur while the CF member
must be at work or away from home
- A child’s illness preventing the parent from
using a regular childcare provider
- The need for respite childcare (a break from parenting
while the parent is suffering from cumulative life
stresses) upon
referral of a “helping” professional
Family Care Plan (FCP)
The FCP is an exchange of information between the member and the Unit. This
exchange helps the Unit identify any potential difficulties in sending members
away from home and causes the member to formally consider his/her family
care arrangements in the event of an unexpected requirement to be deployed.
It is administered by the Unit Orderly Room.
The Emergency Childcare Coordinator of the MFRC
has information on community resources to complete a FCP.
Resources
The following is a list of helpful resources for
families, to be found on the Internet
Deployment Preparation:
(These are U.S. links)
www.sgtmoms.com
www.afcrossroads.com
www.goacs.org
Deployment resources:
http://deploymentlink.osd.mil
www.mfrc-dodqol.org
DND Website:
www.dnd.ca Army Website:
www.army.forces.gc.ca
CFPSA:
www.cfpsa.com
LFWA Headquarters:
http://www.army.dnd.ca/lfwa_hq/ Power of Attorney
www.legaldeeds.com
www.justice.gov.ab.ca/dependent_adults/enduring_powers_of_attorney.aspx
Books
Pascoe, Robin. The wife’s guide
to successful living abroad: coping with children anger and
resentment an overseas career hosting parties boredom making
friends domestic help. Times Books International, 1992.
This book offers emotional support for married
women who have to make a home away from home.
Harrison,
Deborah & Laliberte,
Lucie. No
life like it : Military wives in Canada. James
Lorimer & Company,
Publishers Toronto, 1994.
150 military wives were interviewed from all
ranks across Canada and discussed the impact of military life
on their marriage, their careers, and their families.
Collier, Dianne. Hurry up and wait:
an inside look at life as a Canadian military wife. Creative
Bound Inc., 1994.
This book discusses issues that military wives
can go through and help military wives understand why things
are the way they are. It also covers what resources are available
from the military.
General Coping with Military Separations.
A Canadian Forces Production. Duration: 22.15 minutes.
Edmonton Garrison Military Family Resource Centre Society All Rights Reserved
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