The MFRC Deployment Support program provides resources, programs, and support to CF families prior to, during and after a deployment.
A deployment means the assignment of military personnel on unaccompanied duty away from their normal Garrison/Base for a period of more than four weeks. Examples of this would be temporary duty, extended course, unaccompanied posting or overseas missions.
Services provided by the MFRC deployment area include:
- Resources
- Assistance during family-related emergencies
- Special events and activities for adults and families
- Deployment related publications for adults and children
- Liaise regularly with unit family support sections
- Family briefings
- Reunification briefings
- Regular informal social gatherings
- Deployment related workshops
- Social events
- Deployment child care
- Warmline phone service (for family members of personnel deployed two months and longer)
Warmline - A link for families experiencing deployment
The Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) Warmline is a service for families of deployed CF members that provides support, information, and a friendly, listening ear through regularly scheduled telephone calls by caring, trained volunteers.
The purpose of Warmline is:
•To provide information about resources, programs, and unit information.
•To break feelings of isolation that may be felt by the family.
•To provide reassurance and referral when necessary.
Warmline is available for adult family members (partner, parent, sibling, etc.) of military personnel who are away for more than four weeks on course, field exercise, unaccompanied posting, or overseas deployment.
If you would like more information, or if you would like to become a Warmline Volunteer, please contact the MFRC Deployment Program at (780) 973-4011 Ext. 6304.
Greeting Cards for Soldiers
The Edmonton Garrison Military Family Resource Centres (MFRC) Deployment Support Program is pleased to announce the ‘Greeting Cards for Soldiers’ program. Deploying CF personnel are invited to drop by the MFRC to pick up their Greeting Card Package. Each package contains a wonderful variety of blank greeting cards suitable for holidays, special occasions or ‘just because’.
Each hand-crafted greeting card was donated by Canadians from across the country as a demonstration of their support for our Canadian Forces members. Greeting Card Packages will also be available at pre-deployment briefings and departure ceremonies. For more information, please contact the MFRC’s Deployment Support Coordinator, Denise Kantor, at (780) 973-4011 ext 6304 or
denise.kantor@forces.gc.ca
Build-a-Bear workshop
Build-a-Bear Helps Keep Your Deployed Parent Close to Your Heart
Children of deployed/deploying parents may receive a $15 gift certificate to the Build-a-Bear workshop. All children (3 months to 18 years of age) can receive and redeem one coupon per year. Visit the MFRC to obtain your Build-a-Bear gift card!
Road to Mental Readiness ‘R2MR’ training now available at the MFRC!
The Road to Mental Readiness ‘R2MR’ program is a complete training package encompassing information for soldiers (phases 1, 2, and 4) as well as for the families (phases 3 and 5). The sixth phase is for both soldiers and their families.
Phase 3 of the R2MR program is now available at the MFRC. ‘Supporting Families through the Deployment Cycle’ is a three-hour workshop which offers families an understanding of the role in the current mission, the cycle of deployment, identifying challenges, learning skills and strategies to manage stress, and recognizing when external support may be required
For details regarding upcoming workshop dates, contact the MFRC Deployment Support Coordinator, Denise Kantor, at (780) 973-4011 ext 6304.
Need to imcrease effective communication?
We can help.
A variety of conflict and relationship management services are now available as part of our Family and Community Conflict Management Project (FCCMP), partnered with DGARD (Director General Alternative Dispute Resolution)
- The Approaching Conflict Effectively (ACE) home study is designed to give participants the tools to increase their communication skills, which assists in managing conflicts in their lives.
- Case facilitation and intervention services to address individual conflict that arise are also available.
The goal of this program is to provide CF personnel and their family’s conflict management services and the opportunity to develop their own capacity to manage conflict within relationships, family unit and the local community.
How do I know if I can access this service?
As long as you are 16 years of age and older, and are part of the military community, you can access this services. This applies to people who live on base, as well as people who live off base.
Give us some feedback!