Access our services: 
Virtually, by phone 24/7, or in-person

Living in Sydney, Cape Breton, or one of the many surrounding communities should never be a barrier to accessing support. The Halifax & Region Military Family Resource Centre (H&R MFRC) offers a variety of virtual services, resources, and consultations to help military members, Veterans, and their families stay connected, informed, and supported, regardless of where they live. 

Who can access our services? At the H&R MFRC, we recognize that every family looks different. That's why our services are available to CAF members and the people they care about most, including spouses, partners, children, parents, extended family members, and other significant supports.

Not sure where to start? H&R MFRC staff can help. Through personalized information, navigation, and referral services, we connect individuals with the programs, resources, and supports available within the military, Veteran, provincial, and community sectors. Whether you're new to the area, experiencing a life transition, or simply looking for information, we're here to help. 

Career & Employment Counselling

Our Certified Career Development Practitioner has over 20 years of experience helping military and Veteran spouses navigate career transitions, explore opportunities, and achieve their employment goals, all at no cost. 
https://cfmws.ca/halifax/halifax-region-military-family-resource-centre/employment

Childcare Navigation
Drawing on 17 years of experience with the MFRC and a background in Early Childhood Education, our Childcare Navigator offers tailored resources, guidance, and referrals to support families throughout their childcare search. Whether you have questions about childcare options in Nova Scotia, need help identifying resources, or are looking for additional supports.
https://cfmws.ca/halifax/halifax-region-military-family-resource-centre/h-r-mfrc-children-families/local-child-care-navigation

Short-term Counselling (16+) & Crisis Intervention
Our Family Well‑Being Counsellors are trained professionals with experience in counselling, family support, and crisis intervention. We offer free, confidential, short‑term counselling to support families with stress, work-related separations, parenting challenges, relationship issues, separation and divorce, grief and loss, family violence, and more. 

Upon request, support can be accommodated for evening appointments outside of regular business hours. Counsellors are able to provide referrals to other community agencies and supports, as well as education and prevention programming offered by the H&R MFRC. In addition to over-the-phone or virtual support, our Family Liaison Counsellor, visits Cape Breton throughout the year for in-person appointments. 
https://cfmws.ca/halifax/halifax-region-military-family-resource-centre/h-r-mfrc-mental-health-well-being

Financial Assistance Resources
If your family is experiencing financial strain, we may be able to assist. Each family situation is unique; we will work one-on-one to create a tailored approach to support, which may include resources or financial support. 
https://cfmws.ca/halifax/halifax-region-military-family-resource-centre/h-r-mfrc-mental-health-well-being

Short-term Accommodations
We manage six fully furnished apartments in Halifax for families to stay in when a crisis, compassionate or exceptional circumstances affect the family’s ability to remain in their home. Accommodations are partially subsidized, and priority and length of stay are determined on a case‑by‑case basis using established criteria. For families in Cape Breton, this service could be used to accommodate medical procedures in Halifax.
https://cfmws.ca/halifax/halifax-region-military-family-resource-centre/h-r-mfrc-mental-health-well-being

Emergency Family Care Assistance & Respite
he Emergency Family Care Assistance (EFCA) aims to support military and medically released Veteran families with short-term emergency family care.  The EFCA provides financial support to military and medically released Veteran families after all avenues of support provided by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Director General Compensation and Benefits (DGCB) and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) have been explored and/or enacted and are insufficient to meet a family’s emergency needs. The EFCA partially covers costs incurred during unexpected taskings, medical emergencies, relocations, bereavement support and other unique situations.
https://cfmws.ca/halifax/halifax-region-military-family-resource-centre/h-r-mfrc-mental-health-well-being

Support for Families with Diverse Needs
Our Military Family Navigator will collaborate with families to develop a plan that will support a positive program experience and offer individualized support to navigate community resources and services through all areas of your military experience.
https://cfmws.ca/halifax/halifax-region-military-family-resource-centre/h-r-mfrc-children-families/support-to-families-with-diverse-needs

Strongest Families Institute
Military life can bring unique challenges for individuals and families - from postings and deployments to training, reintegration, and other periods of transition. Strongest Families Institute (SFI) offers free, accessible, evidence-based mental health programs designed to help CAF members and their families build practical skills to navigate these challenges. Programs are delivered from the comfort and privacy of home through trained coaches, with individual and group-based options available for children, youth, adults, and families.  

Programs include Parents Empowering Kids, Chase Worries Away, Defeat Anxiety, Dry Nights Ahead as well as ICAN: An adult program for ages 18+ focused on stress, anxiety, depression, excessive worry, and coping with major life stressors.
https://cfmws.ca/united-states/connect-contact/news-updates/strongest-families-institute

Navigating Nova Scotia Systems for Relocation & Transitions

Whether you're relocating to Cape Breton, Halifax, or anywhere in between, our team is here to help connect you with local information, resources, and supports to make your transition as smooth as possible. If you have questions about your move, our Military Family Navigator and Housing & Health Care Assistant are available to provide personalized guidance and help you feel at home in your new community.
https://cfmws.ca/halifax/relocating-to-halifax

Military Family Navigation
Navigators are military family service professionals who understand the unique realities of military life and the supports available to families. Through personalized guidance and collaboration with community and national partners, they help connect individuals and families to services such as parenting supports, caregiving resources, and community-based programs. Navigators also assist families in building local support networks and accessing the information, resources, and services that best meet their needs.
https://cfmws.ca/halifax/halifax-region-military-family-resource-centre/military-family-navigation

Deployment & Work-Related Absences
Many military families experience work absences that aren't deployments. These absences can still affect families. We're here to support you, for both deployments and non-deployment work absences. Resources are designed to keep families informed, supported, and connected. We provide families with a variety of opportunities to connect virtually and support one another during periods of separation by facilitating deployment education workshops and social activities.

Preparing for Reunion (adult): Are you getting ready for your loved one's return and wondering how to make the transition as smooth as possible? Homecoming is often the most anticipated part of deployment, but after months apart, it can take time, patience, and effort to adjust to life together again. This workshop offers practical tips and strategies to help you navigate the transition and reintegration phase with confidence.

Preparing for Deployment (adult): Are you getting ready for a deployment, or has your loved one recently left on theirs? Many military families know that the departure and the initial weeks apart can be some of the toughest parts of the deployment cycle. This interactive workshop is designed to equip families with practical strategies, tools, and resources to navigate these challenges with confidence and resilience.

Supporting Children Through Reunion: If you have a child or children preparing for a Reunion with a deployed parent or loved one, join us for this virtual workshop where we share helpful strategies and tools for caregivers to support children as they manage the upcoming reunion and reconnection with their returning loved one.

Supporting Children Through Deployment:  Are you looking for ways to help children navigate the challenges of a loved one’s deployment? This class, available both in-person and virtually, is designed to provide parents and caregivers with practical strategies, insights, and resources. Learn how to support children emotionally, maintain routines, and foster resilience during this time.
https://cfmws.ca/halifax/halifax-region-military-family-resource-centre/h-r-mfrc-deployment-and-absences

Parcel Service / Morale Mail Program
Nothing reminds a deployed military member of home quite like a care package. Through the Morale Mail Program, family members and friends can send parcels free of charge to CAF members serving on overseas deployments by dropping packages off at an MFRC, Military Family Services location, or CAF Post Office. In Sydney, morale mail parcels can be dropped off at Victoria Park Garrison during operational hours, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A CAF member at the detachment will help to ensure everything is filled out properly, including the custom forms.

Drop-off Location: 
Victoria Park Garrison, (VP42) -Coriano Bldg, 
4 Garrison Rd, Victoria Park Armouries, Sydney, NS, B1P 6Z2

Please ensure parcels comply with current mailing guidelines and deployment destination requirements. Visit: https://cfmws.ca/support-services/deployment/parcel-service

Questions? E-mail: Deployment@hrmfrc.ca

Military Lifestyle Education Programs

Parents of CAF Members Social: Join us for a virtual gathering where you can connect with other parents who understand the unique journey of supporting a CAF member. This is a chance to share your experiences, exchange tips, and find support in a friendly and welcoming environment. Let’s come together to build a supportive community and share our stories.

Military 101: When a member of your family joins the military, it can sometimes be a confusing new world to understand. This fun and interactive workshop offers an introduction to the military and the military lifestyle. Topics will include: an overview of the Canadian Armed Forces, rank structure, acronyms, and abbreviations and much more! This is an adult program for ages 19yrs+. Parents of members, partners/spouses of members, adult children, and friends of members are welcome to attend.

https://cfmws.ca/halifax/halifax-region-military-family-resource-centre/military-family-navigation