Skip to main content
We want to make sure that the services we offer support you along your journey and meet your changing needs. 
About 80 percent of military families live off base, and transition into new communities every few years. We provide relevant services and supports to empower and encourage strong, independent military families. 
 

Supports for military families

Connect with us

Phone: 613-998-4888  

Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm*

Your Unique Journey

  • In order to serve families wherever they live in the broad NCR, your local MFS-NCR Team offers hybrid programs and services. The whole family can benefit from the comfort of the home or join us at various locations across the region!
  • Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook. All updated information on current programs and services are accessible there. Military Family Services - NCR

Supporting our military members and families, in all of their diversity

Every family’s military journey is unique, with its own challenges, circumstances, and related need for different programs and services. Here, at Military Family Services – National Capital Region (MFS-NCR), we want to make sure that the services we offer support you along this journey and meet your changing needs.  
We are aware that the military journey, while incredibly rewarding, can also present diverse challenges and that our families experience these challenges in different ways.

Our team has been developing different tools and approaches to better understand the range of experiences and realities of military families, such as the challenges related to deployment and relocation, or raising young children and teens, or caregiving for elderly parents, and more.

Our aim is to ensure that all families have access to our services and support in a way that best matches their needs. Our team is exploring how our military families have intersectional identities, and how these identities shape their experience and need for programs and services.  
 
Deployment and relocation
Raising young children and teens
Caregiving for elderly parents
Other Services

What are intersectional identities?

This concept refers to how an individual’s identity consists of multiple, intersecting factors. These factors can include our gender identity, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, political beliefs, socio-economic class, sexual orientation, language, and even where we live.   

These intersecting factors are what make us multi-layered and unique, and we strive to understand the military journey from different perspectives. For example, from the perspective of a same-sex couple recently deployed, a mixed-race couple in a rural area, a couple with children facing hardships readjusting after relocation, a single member and her daughter, or a single member, who is far away from family and friends. 

These are just a few examples of the different types of families and their unique experiences. With these different families in mind, we ask ourselves questions when developing or adapting our programs, such as: How do we reach families with intersecting identities? Would these families have access to our programs and services? If yes, are there ways we can improve them further? If not, what can we do to make sure they know about them and can gain access? 
Inclusivity is one of our top priorities, and we are always thinking of ways to better capture the experiences of military families and reflect their needs in our programming. Seeing how the structures of families have changed in recent decades, we are deeply aware that the needs of families will continue to change and evolve over time. 

To ensure that we are serving you and your family as best we can, we encourage you to connect with us by email at [email protected] to share your experiences. You can also get in touch on Facebook and Instagram. We would love to hear from you! 

[email protected]
Facebook
Instagram

Does the MFS-NCR Team only serve military families living in Ottawa?

Military families live all over the NCR, all the way from Arnprior in the west, Maniwaki in the north, Brockville in the east, and Cornwall in the south. That’s about 100 kms in each direction, and our catchment area keeps expanding as a direct result of the housing market. Your MFR-NCR Team strives to serve all military families wherever they are through the delivery of remote and in-person programs and services. 
  • Connect
    • In order to serve families wherever they live in the broad NCR, your local MFS-NCR Team offers hybrid programs and services. The whole family can benefit from the comfort of the home or join us at various locations across the region!
    • Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook. All updated information on current programs and services are accessible there. Military Family Services - NCR
  • Welcome

    Supporting our military members and families, in all of their diversity

    Every family’s military journey is unique, with its own challenges, circumstances, and related need for different programs and services. Here, at Military Family Services – National Capital Region (MFS-NCR), we want to make sure that the services we offer support you along this journey and meet your changing needs.  
  • Matching your needs
    We are aware that the military journey, while incredibly rewarding, can also present diverse challenges and that our families experience these challenges in different ways.

    Our team has been developing different tools and approaches to better understand the range of experiences and realities of military families, such as the challenges related to deployment and relocation, or raising young children and teens, or caregiving for elderly parents, and more.

    Our aim is to ensure that all families have access to our services and support in a way that best matches their needs. Our team is exploring how our military families have intersectional identities, and how these identities shape their experience and need for programs and services.  
     
    Deployment and relocation
    Raising young children and teens
    Caregiving for elderly parents
    Other Services
  • Intersectional Identities

    What are intersectional identities?

    This concept refers to how an individual’s identity consists of multiple, intersecting factors. These factors can include our gender identity, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, political beliefs, socio-economic class, sexual orientation, language, and even where we live.   

    These intersecting factors are what make us multi-layered and unique, and we strive to understand the military journey from different perspectives. For example, from the perspective of a same-sex couple recently deployed, a mixed-race couple in a rural area, a couple with children facing hardships readjusting after relocation, a single member and her daughter, or a single member, who is far away from family and friends. 

    These are just a few examples of the different types of families and their unique experiences. With these different families in mind, we ask ourselves questions when developing or adapting our programs, such as: How do we reach families with intersecting identities? Would these families have access to our programs and services? If yes, are there ways we can improve them further? If not, what can we do to make sure they know about them and can gain access? 
  • Evolving and adapting
    Inclusivity is one of our top priorities, and we are always thinking of ways to better capture the experiences of military families and reflect their needs in our programming. Seeing how the structures of families have changed in recent decades, we are deeply aware that the needs of families will continue to change and evolve over time. 

    To ensure that we are serving you and your family as best we can, we encourage you to connect with us by email at [email protected] to share your experiences. You can also get in touch on Facebook and Instagram. We would love to hear from you! 

    [email protected]
    Facebook
    Instagram
  • Who can access?

    Does the MFS-NCR Team only serve military families living in Ottawa?

    Military families live all over the NCR, all the way from Arnprior in the west, Maniwaki in the north, Brockville in the east, and Cornwall in the south. That’s about 100 kms in each direction, and our catchment area keeps expanding as a direct result of the housing market. Your MFR-NCR Team strives to serve all military families wherever they are through the delivery of remote and in-person programs and services. 

Video - Military Family Services Overview

From May 2023

Testimonials

  • Helping us make informed decisions

    Helping us make informed decisions

    View Bio
    Helping us make informed decisions

    Helping us make informed decisions

    "As parents of newly diagnosed children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, the one-on-one session for parents with the Portia Learning Center arranged by MFS NCR was very helpful. They took the time to get to know each of our children's needs and made individualized recommendations to support their behaviour and learning.

    It was incredibly validating to hear that the steps we've already taken to support our kids were among their recommendations and to know that we are on the right track. In addition to providing an overview of the available services at Portia Learning Center, they explained other programs and services we might like to consider for our kids in both Ottawa and Gatineau, which will help us make informed decisions about the next steps to support our kids". 
  • A relief for newcomers

    A relief for newcomers

    View Bio
    A relief for newcomers

    A relief for newcomers

    We very happy to be connected with the Portia Learning Centre through Military Family Services here in the NCR. As parents of 4 children with varying needs, the discovery of Portia learning is a relief.

    The therapists we met with are very knowledgeable. I received helpful insights from Charlene, and was very comfortable speaking with her. My children enjoyed meeting the therapists and playing in their therapy room.

    I left the initial appointment excited about their programs and the possibility of enrolling. Their programs are very suitable for a military family coming into the NCR because it brings a variety of therapies into one location.

    Navigating an unknown or large city as a newcomer military family can be daunting. Portia has helped us to receive the help we need in one spot instead of all over the city. I cannot wait to get started there!
  • Insights and support

    Insights and support

    View Bio
    Insights and support

    Insights and support

    "While having some discussion with MFS, I had some concerns about my youngest. They had no issues with providing more resources with the Portia Learning Centre.

    We just had our screening session the other day and although we haven’t received the final report, they were able to provide us with some great feedback.

    And what a great group, as soon as we walked in you can tell they knew what they were doing, the patience demonstrated with their kids was great to see. My daughter didn’t want to leave as she was having such fun! Again thank you."
  • A life-saver in helping our family transition

    A life-saver in helping our family transition

    View Bio
    A life-saver in helping our family transition

    A life-saver in helping our family transition

    "We would like to thank [the team at] MFS NCR for their support following the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis of our children.

    Since we received the diagnosis shortly after arriving in the NCR, our family was at a loss for local support services and social activities that would be right for our children’s unique needs.

    [You] provided us a wealth of resources within the community, sharing services and programs that we never knew existed. [You] also put together a thoughtful welcome package with items for the whole family, including fidget toys and visual learning aides that are perfect for our children’s age and needs.

    [You have] been a life-saver in helping our family transition into our new hometown and developing a comprehensive support plan for our children. We can’t thank you enough for your support! We’ve already started accessing many of the services and social programs that you provided."
  • Navigating through change

    Navigating through change

    View Bio
    Navigating through change

    Navigating through change

    "We received the news this past fall that we were getting posted, and after much discussing we decided to do the IR.

    The MFS again was able to help me and my family through navigating through this soon to be change. Provided some guidance with discussing this with the kids and some useful ideas, like a deployment wall that we will do with the kids, and some very useful material that will help with the deployment wall and keeping us all tied together even physically apart.

    My little one cant wait to start the conversation cards we received and the letters that will be added to the deployment wall will be lovely. Also, a program to help my relationship with my partner.

    These little things that I didn’t think of made a world of a difference for them already and its not even in place yet. So thank you!"
  • Lending library

    Lending library

    View Bio
    Lending library

    Lending library

    "When they gave us resources on a lending library. We tried 3 items and a weighted blanket that was no longer in their register but they made some exceptions to help us out. I have 2 daughters who struggle with bed time, a 8 year old and a 12 year. We experimented with the lent items, a weighted blanket and a projector with sounds and stars. They were such a hit!

    We figured out that my youngest does not require any lighting but needs the weighted blanket whereas the other needs all the lights, it was a learning experience for all. We tried them for the allocated time and returned them to purchase our own and now have a much smoother bed time.

    It was thanks to this lending library that we were able to try these items before actually buying them that was the best part! Thank you!"
  • Navigating resources

    Navigating resources

    View Bio
    Navigating resources

    Navigating resources

    My youngest has had some issues with her eyes and had to go though some eye therapy that was not covered under any of our insurances. Again, they were able to point us in a couple different areas to help financially. What a help! Thank you!
  • The newsletters have even more resources!

    The newsletters have even more resources!

    View Bio
    The newsletters have even more resources!

    The newsletters have even more resources!

    "Such as the teen kits, which my pre-teen received the art kit and loved it so much! It was wonderful to see such attention to detail with a copy of the military child poem and paint by diamond that matched. Additional there was more resources for summer camps funding and other interesting things. Thank you!

    I haven’t had the pleasure to use any military services in the past and so I am not sure I cant be biased, but the NCR MFS has been so supportive and nice since I was made aware of them by another military family [...] they have helped is many more ways not mentioned.

    My deepest thanks seems like not enough, but simple- THANK YOU.
    Thank you to this amazing team!"

Lorem ipsum extoris bargon est prima

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim aniam, quis nostrud exercitation.

Register Now

Welcome! Select your community

Your location has been set to Default . To display community-specific information, please select your location from the list below:

* Selecting Canada-wide will not display any community-specific information.

  • Canada
  • OUTCAN