Greenwood Deployment / Absences Services

FAQ

• What is a deployment/ an absence? 
  A deployment or absence is anytime a military member is away from home due to operational commitments for a period of 24 hours or more. Eligible family separations, otherwise referred to as deployments, include:  being away on a course, training, tasking, imposed restriction (IR), or being away overseas or within Canada or the US. 
• How do I qualify for deployment supports and services? 
  All you need to do is let us know that your member will be away from home for more than 24 hours, or the military member can let us know too!
• What information will I have to provide? 
  There is a form to fill out, the Family Information Form, that will provide us with all the important information needed to support you and your family before, during, and after a deployment.
  
  You will need to provide the member’s information (Rank, Name, Contact Information, Service Number (if you know it) and home unit); basic deployment information such as location and dates; family information (name, address, phone numbers, and email address); children’s information (name(s), age(s) and school(s), if applicable); and any other information that you feel would be beneficial for us to know to be able to support you and your family best throughout the deployment. 
• Who is eligible to receive services and support at MFS Greenwood? 
  Families and loved ones of Regular Force members, Reservist members, family members who live in our catchment area of CAF members who are posted to other bases or wings in Canada, we also serve RCMP and civilian personnel who are deployed overseas.
• I am a Reserve Force member/family; am I entitled to receive support services through MFS Greenwood?
  Absolutely! We support families from the Reserve Units of Greenwood, Bridgewater, Yarmouth, and Aldershot. All of our families within our catchment area are eligible to receive support services.
• What if we are a dual service couple? Are we still entitled to receive support services through MFS Greenwood
  Yes, of course! Our mandate is to serve military families, and it doesn’t matter if you are both serving members or not. If one of you is deployed, we will support your family regardless of occupation.
• Who can access programs and services?
  When a CAF member is deployed, whomever they deem ‘family’ is who we will support. That may mean a spouse/partner, parent, sibling, child(ren), friend, or neighbor. For us, family is who you deem important to you and who you think may benefit from our programs and services. It is entirely up to you!
• What programs and services are available to deployed families?
  We offer many different deployment programs and services.
  
  Specifically for deployed families we offer Warm Line Calls/Emails, a free Morale Mail program (courtesy of 14 Wing!), Family Information Briefings, Respite Childcare, Children’s Deployment Support, Networking and Social activities (virtually and in-person when we are able to), Information and Referral services, Road to Mental Readiness workshops, assistance with Childcare Planning, and one-to-one supports (in-person, virtually, telephone, or email).
• How can you help my family prepare for a deployment?
  Being prepared for a deployment can help make the difference between a successful one and a more challenging one. When you, or your member, let us know that you have an upcoming deployment we will let you know about all the programs and services that are available to you.
  
  We are here to help you before, during, and after the deployment to help you better cope with the ups and downs of a family separation. We will also make sure you know who to contact with any questions you may have.
• What if we have not let MFS Greenwood know that we are experiencing an absence and now need support? Is it too late?
  If at any point, you find that you need some support, or you have questions, it is never too late to let us know that you are experiencing a deployment/ an absence!
  
  Just reach out to us or pop into the Morfee Centre and we will help you work through whatever is on your mind. 
• I’ve heard about Warm Line Calls, what are they?
  Warm Line Calls are telephone outreach calls provided by trained staff, or volunteers, of the MFS staff to the family members of deployed military members.
  
  It is a way for us to stay connected, provide information on upcoming events, activities or services, and to check in to see how you are managing. It is also a way for us to be able to provide you with referrals to other areas within the community to support you the best way we can.
• I heard about a program called R2MR, what is that and how will it help me or my family?

  R2MR is the Road to Mental Readiness program that is for families who may, who are, and who have experienced an Absence. The program helps to build resiliency in military families to better cope with separations due to deployments, training courses, or IR postings.   
  
  This program echoes the training our CAF members get when they're getting ready for deployment.
  R2MR will help you by providing the following: 

  • Recognize and understand the different phases of deployment and what you can expect during each of the phases; 
  • Identify some of the challenges that you may encounter before, during, and after a deployment; 
  • Learn about the Mental Health Continuum; 
  • Give you new tips, tricks, and tools to manage stressors that may arise; 
  • Talk about how to support children through a deployment; 
  • Provide you with information about additional resources available to you; and 
  • Remind you to also have FUN!  
• What if my adult child is the member who is absent, am I eligible for your deployment supports and services or is it only for a spouse/partner?
  Yes! Our deployment supports and services are available to anyone who has a loved one away, regardless of relationship! We welcome parents, spouses/partners, siblings, and children! 
• I’m a single CAF member, how can MFS deployment services help me?
  MFS Greenwood  can help you, our single members, by making sure that you are aware of the supports and services available for your parents, siblings, friends, or neighbours while you are expereincing an absence.
  
  We can, and will, support whoever you feel is important to you and may benefit from our services. We will also make sure that you have our handy checklist to make sure that before you leave for your deployment you are prepared and have put things in place to reduce chances of hiccups while you are away. We can provide you with community resources that are available to you for things like pet care, home maintenance, etc. 
• I’m feeling really stressed about my CAF Member coming home. I’m excited, but still a little nervous and stressed. Is there someone I can talk to about this?
  Absolutely! Contact our team to let them know that you are feeling anxious about your member’s homecoming. It can be a really exciting time, but it is perfectly normal to also feel a little stressed about it. There will be an adjustment period for all of you; after all, you have been apart for a while and during that time things will have changed such as routines, personal growth, etc.
  
  For some families it can take months to readjust and find your new normal as a family, and that is ok! We highly recommend that you take the Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) – Homecoming and Reunion workshop prior to your member returning home to help you navigate and be prepared for the homecoming.
  
  We can help you navigate this part of the deployment journey to help alleviate some of the common stressors associated with Homecoming and Reunion. We have lots of tips and tricks we are happy to share with you!
  
  If you find that you need a little more support, we can also introduce you to our Mental Health team who have lots of additional resources that are available to you as well! 
• What do I do if I need someone to talk to, or if I need support, and your office is closed for the day/weekend/holiday? 

  As military families we are fortunate that we have additional resources available to us 24/7. These resources are also bilingual. For additional supports here are some of the resources available to you at no cost: 

  Family Information Line – 24/7, bilingual	1-800-866-4546
  Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program  (CFMAP) – 24/7, bilingual	1-800-268-7708
  14 Wing Duty Operations – after hours	902-765-1494, local 5457
  14 Wing Chaplains	902-765-1494, local 5883
  14 Wing Mental Health	902-765-1494, local 5215
  Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS)	1-800-883-6094
  SISIP Financial Services	902-765-6714

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
• What is Emergency Child care and how do I access it if I need someone to care for my children in an emergency?
  The goal of Emergency Child care Services is to support the CAF members to be available and ready for duty. This includes short notice deployments as well as to assist families in emergency situations when regular childcare arrangements cannot be used.
  
  To learn more and request emergency childcare, please contact MFS Greenwood during regular business hours or 14 Wing Duty Operations at 902-765-1494 x 5457 after regular business hours.