Deployment Support Services in Petawawa

This personalized, one-on-one time with one of our Military Family Navigators will give you the information you need to help your family plan for upcoming deployments.  

Access this program by either sending an email to FamilyNavigator@PetawawaMFRC.com or by completing the form below.

Are you in the final countdown of your loved one’s deployment? We all look forward to the ‘big day’ when our family member returns, but are you ready for the days that follow? This personalized one-on-one time with one of our Military Family Navigators will discuss the expectations – and realities – of reunion and reintegration.

Access this program by either sending an email to FamilyNavigator@PetawawaMFRC.com or by completing the form below.

The Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre offers a Mental Health Walk-In Clinic for military families which will be open the first Wednesday of the month at the The PMFRC Family Wellness Centre at 12 Reichwald Crescent and the third Wednesday of the month at the South Side Community Centre at 1578 Wolfe Ave.

The clinic will be open from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM with last intake at 5:30 PM. Counsellors will be available on a first-come, first served basis from 4:00 PM and the last session will start at 6:30PM.

The process is simple - just show up, there is no need for an appointment or a referral.

The clinic serves adults, kids, teens, families and couples and can help with a broad variety of challenges your family is facing. A francophone clinician is available upon request. The Youth Counsellor will be available only on the first Wednesday of the month. 

For more information, contact the Military Family Navigator - Mental Health at 613-687-7587 ext. 3226 or MHSupport@PetawawaMFRC.com. 

Confidential short-term crisis support to guide military families through difficult situations. We offer a wide range of mental health services for Military families in Petawawa including:

• child and youth counselling
• assessments and referrals
• individual and family therapy
• marriage counselling

Family needs are assessed and referrals made within the PMFRC or appropriately directed within the community of social services of Renfrew County.  

To contact our Military Family Navigator - Mental Health, please call:  613-687-7587 ext. 3226 or email MHSupport@PetawawaMFRC.com. 

Military life is an adventure that doesn’t have to stop when your CAF member is away. This series of videos is about taking time for yourself during deployment and experiencing something new... or participating in an activity you love already.

• Vision Boards: Learn to set deployment goals and make your own deployment vision board.
• Healthy Eating: We teamed up with Kevin from Health Promotion to learn about good food habits.

Access this program by either sending an email to FamilyNavigator@PetawawaMFRC.com or by completing the form below.

Whether it is your first deployment or tenth, being alone in your home can be overwhelming. This series of videos will teach you how to stay safe while your partner is away.

• OPSEC & Online Safety: Learn from a member of the 12 ASIC unit about what you can or can’t share or say on social media, over the phone, or by email while your loved one is deployed in order to protect your family, your information, and your privacy. Note: This video has been approved by the Garrison Petawawa Public Affairs Office.
• Home Safety: Learn from a member of the Military Police about basic steps to make your home safer.

Access this program by either sending an email to FamilyNavigator@PetawawaMFRC.com or by completing the form below.

The OP Family Readiness Binder helps Military families stay organized with all important documents and vital information in one spot as well as additional resources to help you stay connected as a family. With the help of information, reminders and checklists, you will feel confident knowing that your family is ready for whatever challenges may come your way during a deployment. 

Topics include: 

• Legal matters
• Medical information
• Home maintenance issues
• Parenting through deployment 
• Self care 
• & more

For a hard copy of this resource, contact FamilyNavigator@PetawawaMFRC.com.

This quarterly newsletter is tailored to families experiencing a deployment and includes relevant articles, information and activities to keep you informed, balanced and connected.  

As a reminder, “deployments” are work-related absences due to an overseas deployment, regular training, an exercise, temporary duty, a special tasking, a field exercise, course, or imposed restriction.

Subscribe to the  PMFRC Deployment Newsletter in English

The Family Care Plan outlines your family care arrangements for regular, back-up and/ or emergency situations. If a Canadian Forces member must report for duty on short-notice -- or is away on deployment -- and something happens that prevents the other parent from being able to care for their children, the PMFRC can help to arrange short-term emergency care until more permanent arrangements can be made.

If you are in need of emergency child care, you can contact our office from Monday to Friday, from 8 AM - 4 PM at  613-687-1641 ext. 2226.  If emergency child care is needed outside of regular office hours, call the Duty Chaplain at  613-687-5511 ext. 5611.  

Access a "how to" video explaining the process of sending care packages to your loved one. 

Visit the Morale Mail in Petawawa page for more details or contact Information@PetawawaMFRC.com for any questions. 

Find an entire collection of ideas, recipes, activities, inspirational materials and other deployment related resources on our Pinterest Deployment Board. 

This virtual cookbook was developed by volunteers and includes advice and encouragement alongside delicious recipes which are easy to make while a loved one is away.

Your partner is deployed? Then you know what that means…. Murphy’s Law is about to strike!!! Have a little bit of fun and see how many obstacles you will overcome this time around using Murphy's Deployment Checklist. You've got this!

Join us for the latest episode of the PMFRC's podcast - Military Family Life. Every month we will bring you the stories of people who have ‘been there’ – as they share the lessons they have learned along the way … to help you live your BEST Military family life. Look for us wherever you list to your podcasts.

You and your family are invited to explore your senses using a virtual space designed to support you on your path to self regulation. Register today for access to the PMFRC Serenity Nook.

The Road to Mental Readiness app and website provide tools and resources to support CAF members, family members and the general public. This app was developed to improve short-term performance and long-term mental health outcomes. R2MR training is layered and tailored to help CAF members meet relevant demands and responsibilities at each stage of their career and while on deployment. 
R2MR Website
Apple App Store
Google Play

We understand that pets are part of the family. This resource helps you prepare your pet for the realities of a deployment. 

The following apps are recommended to help you and your family get through your deployment:

• CAF
• ideployed
• parenting2go
• dailyo
• calm
• mindful power (for children)

A Deployment Wall is a great way to make your loved one seem a little less far away; it can include photos of your family, pictures of the location where you loved one is deployed, lists of things to tell your soldier when they call, or a place to pin letters that you have received. Resources available include:

• Vinyl quotes (max 3)
• Clock
• World map
• Mailbox
• Picture frame
• White board
• Memory jar
• Printed picture

Access this program by either sending an email to FamilyNavigator@PetawawaMFRC.com or by completing the form below. 

Reintegration may seem far away right, or maybe it’s just around the corner for your family. Why not use that time to fill a box with things to make homecoming extra special - a couple/family activity you will do when your soldier is back home - things you want to show or share with them... anything really! We can even help you decorate it! 

Resources available:

• White box 
• Pick one (1) from this list:
  • Vinyl quote
  • Vinyl stencil
• Pick one (1) activity that will enhance communication and engagement: 
  • For couples
  • For families 
    • Children ages 3-5
    • Children ages 6-8
    • Children ages 9-12
    • Children 13+

Access this program by either sending an email to FamilyNavigator@PetawawaMFRC.com or by completing the form below.

Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you're sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. This journal helps you make a habit of reducing stress and appreciating every single day.

Access this program by either sending an email to FamilyNavigator@PetawawaMFRC.com or by completing the form below.

Gain an understanding of how you and your partner express love in order to maintain your connection through deployment.  Pick one (1) from this list:

• The 5 Love Languages ® - Military Edition: The challenges of Military marriages are unique, but they don’t have to hinder love.
• The 5 Love Languages ® of Children: When children feel loved, they do their best. How can you make sure your child feels loved?
• The 5 Love Languages ® of Teenagers: This edition explores the world in which teenagers live, explains their developmental changes, and offers tools to help you communicate.
• Sharing Love Abundantly in Special Needs Families: The 5 Love Languages ® for Parents Raising Children with  Disabilities: Having a special needs child shouldn’t mean sacrificing a full family life. Learn to share love abundantly no matter your circumstances.

Access this program by either sending an email to FamilyNavigator@PetawawaMFRC.com or by completing the form below.