MILITARY FAMILY SERVICES A NETWORK OF FAMILY SUPPORT

February 2015

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Agenda • Who is a military family? • Where are military families? • What are the family impacts of the military lifestyle? • What is the government commitment to military families? • What is a network of family support? • Who is Military Family Services? • What is our mission? • What are our programs and priorities?

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Who is a Military Family?

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Military families, then and now • Today’s families have been asked to do more than in the past, and more often. • Family demographics are evolving and societal norms and expectations adversely affecting

families. • Dual career/income families are at an all time high. • Non serving spouse assumes high level of personal and professional sacrifice • Families are subjected to far more financial instability. • 80% of families now live off base and the communities where they live influence family life

differently than in the past.

All Canadian Armed Forces personnel, Regular and Reserve Force, and their parents, spouses, children & relatives

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Where are military families?

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Nb: Stats do not include several populations which fall within MFS population served, including children over 19 years, parents of CAF personnel and relatives.

Military Family Members (2014)

EUROPE 438 families 1,162 family members 29.5% children

USA 662 families 1,228 family members 53.6% children

CANADA

52,413 families 115,320 family members 62,907 children -3.9% change, 2008-14

What are the family impacts of the military lifestyle?

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Lifestyle impact

Source: CAF Ombudsman Report: On the Homefront November 2013

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Lifestyle impact • Personal characteristics • Military lifestyle (relocation,

second language, culture) • Absences • High risk operations • Injuries/loss

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What is the government commitment?

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CAF Commitment We recognize the important role families play in enabling the operational effectiveness of the Canadian Armed Forces and we acknowledge the unique nature of military life.

We honour the inherent resilience of families and we pay tribute to the sacrifices of families made in support of Canada. We pledge to work in partnership with the families and the communities in which they live.

We commit to enhancing military life.

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Federal Support • National services $4 million

- Family Information Line1-800-866-4546 - www.familyforce.ca online information portal

• Military Family Resource Centres $27 million

- 32 centres across Canada - Services in the United States and Europe

• Children’s Education $7 million

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What is a network of family support?

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Network of family support Military Families : A military family is understood to be all CAF personnel, Regular and Reserve Force, and their parents, spouses, children and relatives. It also includes NPF and DoD civilian employees when deployed with the CAF, their parents, spouses, children and dependent relatives. As well, family members or persons of significance to CAF personnel who die while serving remain part of the military family community in perpetuity.

Family Information Line (FIL) : One of three access points available to military families, the FIL counsellors provide supportive counseling and referral services 24/7.

FamilyForce.ca : One of three access points available to military families, FamilyForce is a website that connects military families with their local MFRC and other available services and resources.

Military Family Resource Centers (MFRC) : Not for profit, third party organizations, working in partnership with MFS, the local chain of command and community partners to deliver core programs mandated by the MFSP. Located in Canada, the US and Europe.

Partners : A whole network of partners at the local, provincial and federal levels that provide services to CAF families.

Children’s Education Management : Manages the education allowances and overseas schools for the DND to ensure children obtain quality education.

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Leaders : CAF leadership and higher ups.

Chaplain: Dedicated to the provision of spiritual, religious, moral and ethical support to CAF personnel and their families.

Integrated Personnel Support Centre (IPSC) : Services that facilitate the transition from military to civilian life.

Network of family support Military Family Fund : Provides military families with emergency financial assistance for unforeseen needs that result as a condition of service.

Support Our Troops : Encompasses a variety of funds for the benefit of military families – Military Family Fund, Soldier On, Hospital Comfort Fund, Boomer’s Legacy and the Canadian Forces Personnel Assistance Fund.

Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP) : Provide tailored advice and product solutions that enhance the financial health and security of CAF families.

Personnel Support Programs (PSP): Provides Morale and Welfare Services for the CAF and contributes to operational readiness by keeping the CAF community fit and healthy in both mind and body.

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A wide range of support

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Network of support •Family Information Line for counseling and referral •Military Family Resource Centre for daycare •Community partners for dentist and doctor •Chaplain services includes leaders of various faiths

Situation •Recently divorced, single mother •Recently posted to a new location •New position requires she be available 24/7 •Needs daycare for her daughter •Needs doctor and dentist •No friends or family •Sad, anxious and distressed about being able to provide the right care for her daughter •Muslim

Single Parent, recently posted

Situation •Couple living in Cold Lake on base •Husband is the member. •He suffers from an OSI and is currently not working, but plans on returning to work once he is better •He is receiving mental health treatments •Spouse if francophone only •Spouse can’t find meaningful work •She is struggling with anxiety and isolation •They are both worried about their financial situation

Network of support •MFRC offers a variety of bilingual services, including counseling •Spouse received support of CO to get help •SISIP offers financial counseling and services •MFF and SOT can offer financial aid and support. •They were also referred to external partners for spouse to find employment •Chaplain services offer counseling

Caregiver support

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Network of support •Parents obtained crisis counseling from the Family Information Line •Parents contacted her CO for his support •FIL offered continued counseling through Chaplain services or though a community partner for the parents •CO supportive/encouraging member to seek help

Situation •Single member •She has been suffering from depression •She has been abusing substances and self-harming •She refuses to seek help •Her parents are very worried about her

Mental Health Support

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Situation •Couple with 3 children is posted to a remote location in Europe. •Disoriented in their new community •Spouse and children struggle with the language. •Children’s school does not follow the same requirements as the Ontario School Board

Network of support •FamilyForce website was able to provide them with basic information about MFRC remote services •They were put in touch with a CEM counsellor to help with educational issues • They were put in touch with a local business that offered language courses •PSP had information about various goods, services and activities available

OUTCAN Support

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Who is Military Family Services?

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10 Military Staff (RegF & ResF) 44 Non Public Staff (Cda, USA, Europe) 4 Public Employees

The Military Family Services Team We are Military & Veterans and their families

We are a dedicated team of professionals

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What is our mission?

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To contribute to the well-being of Canadian Armed Forces families, enabling a mission-ready force that protects Canadians and Canadian interests across the country and around the world.

Our mission

What are our programs and priorities?

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Prevention, Support and Intervention

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• Military Family Services Program • CAF wide community-based support program • Delivers coordinated, consistent national services • Framework for families and communities to influence and manage

local priorities and services. • Children’s Education Program

• Overseas Schools • Guidance Counselling • Education benefits

• Quality of Life Initiatives • CAF Living accommodation

Our programs

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Our priorities 1. Enhance awareness and use of physical

and mental health services 2. Optimize programs 3. Communicate more effectively 4. Strengthen & leverage relationships

MFS Priorities & Working Group Activities

Support enhanced awareness, access and use of physical and mental health services R2MR Special Needs Mental Health Strategy

Optimize the Military Family Services Program

- Child Care - Funding

- Organizational Accreditation - Parameters for Practice

- Support to Parents

Communicate more effectively with families - Communications and Marketing - 1-800 Information Lines

Strengthen existing partnerships, foster new

ones and leveraging these relationships

- Community Engagement - Performance Measurement

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The 2019 Vision for Military Family Resource Centres: Collaboratively engaged with our military families and community and reference partners, which affects positive community transitions and relevant and adaptive family services for military families.

Military Family Services Operating Plan Words to Action Achieving outcomes based on four strategic priorities

70th Anniversary Children’s Education Management Program Education innovation and excellence

Community Builders Integrated services

25th Anniversary of Military Family Services Program By families for families

Promise versus Performance Five year review of programs, incl. VAC Pilot

2016 2017 2018 2019 2015

Military Family Services Five Year Horizon

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J F M A M J J A S O N D

January VAC Mtg Leadership Circle

March Familyforce Trg Cornwall MOU MFRC Funding

May Mental Health Week BOG AFNorth School

July Military Postings (TBC)

September TPL Symposium Cornwall Trg

November Youth Conf USA/Yellowknife & Europe CIMVHR

February Mil Family Handbook MH Forum Annual Report Guidance Launch Trenton, Toronto Visits

April MFS-VAC Caregiver tools; Kingston Visit

June HEGG Family Conference

August Veteran Family Coordinators Staffing

October Commence Vet Family Trial

December FIL Holiday Coverage

In 2015 MFS seeks to: improve listening to and communicating with families; build its partnership with MFRCs and national organizations; facilitate access to primary health care and mental health services; foster educational excellence

2015 Year At A Glance

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Leadership Dashboard (Draft)

DGMWS 2014 Priorities 31

MN

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Examine the framework of Member and Family Support Progams

Move to family-focused service delivery at MFRCs

Care for the fallen, injured and their families

Marketing Profitability / diversification Seamless experience

CDS Direction CMP Priorities

Enhance education provided to military families for mental health issues prior to

deployment of a CAF member through the R2MR pgm

Continue to recognize the important work done by NGOs such as Wounded Warriors Canada, Soldier On, TPL and the Cdn Assoc for Disabled Skiing in providing support for

transitioning CAF members, and to foster relationships with new orgs

Improve coordination between the CAF and provincial community health services to

better meet the needs of military families

Through the MFRCs, maintain support for the spouses of permanently ill or injured

members through education and employment support

MFS Dashboard (Draft-FY 13-14)

People

Partnerships Financial Outcome

Innovation & Learning

Data will be requested Spring 2015

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MFRC Dashboard (Draft-FY 13-14) People Partnerships Resources

Financial Outcomes / Stewardship

$

Data will be requested Apr 2015

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Family Dashboard (Draft-FY 13-14)

Data will be requested Apr 2015

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To remember • Military Families are Resilient

• Mobility/Absence/Risk = A Unique Military Family Lifestyle

• Through Morale & Welfare Services, we all provide a network of family support

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