Deployment Services for Families

Deployments are a reality of life that many families in our community face and to support children going through these absences, an activity box will be offered trimonthly, focusing on a particular deployment related topic. Any family who has a family member currently or soon to be deployed can access a box.

Reach out to our team of Military Family Navigators to register for the next edition of Kids & Deployment Resource kit by emailing [email protected].

Our Mental Health team offers free, confidential short term crisis support, child & youth counselling, assessments & referrals, and individual & family therapy, as well as Mental Health Walk-In clinics every Wednesday evening.  Teens 12 years of age and older may access these services without parental consent. 

Call: 613-687-7587 ext. 3226
Email: [email protected]

Designed to teach kids and their parents skills to cope with different struggles faced before, during and after deployment with support for three different age groups: 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.

Visit the PMFRC activity calendar to see when this program is running next. 

From telling your children about an upcoming deployment to preparing them for reintegration, parenting through deployments can be challenging. These programs give parents the tools to help their children learn stress management strategies and suggests fun activities to do during deployments.

Access this program by either sending an email to [email protected] or by completing the online registration form.

This custom-made book template is a resource intended to help children understand what a deployment will mean for their family and can be read throughout the deployment as a comfort.

This resource helps children manage their emotions through self-regulation and coping techniques.

Joey's Mom is Going Away

Nick’s Story: My Colourful Kite by Marg Rogers

A Father to be Proud of by Sheila Johnston

‘D’ is for Deployment: Ann Raps It Up by Marg Rogers

This resource is designed to help children master emotional regulation through relaxation, positive thinking and mindfulness-based techniques.

Written by MCpl Shawn Belisle for parents and educators of military children ages 4 to 8 years, this book is intended to educate and support children during the often emotional and stressful posting season.

Childhood is a period of change, and differences in moods and behaviours are all part of a normal childhood.  Some characterisitics and behaviours, however, may be signs of underlying mental health issues if they are intense, persist over long periods of time, or  are inappropriate for the child’s age.   
 
These include: 

• avoiding friends and family 
• having frequent outbursts of anger 
• changes to sleeping or eating habits 
• acting out or rebelling against authority 
• drinking a lot and/or using drugs 
• not doing the things they used to enjoy 
• worrying constantly 
• experiencing frequent mood swings 
• not concerned with their appearance 
• obsessed with their weight 
• lacking energy or motivation 
• increased risk-taking behaviour 
• feeling very down 

If you are concerned with your child’s change in behaviour, reach out to one of our Military Family Navigators for support by sending an email to [email protected].

Children’s Workbooks and Parent Guide was developed by the Esquimalt MFRC to help better support your children during deployments. There are Workbooks available for the following ages:

• 3-5 years
• 6-8 years
• 9-12 years

Access this program by either sending an email to [email protected] or by completing the online registration form.

Storybook to support children going through a deployment. Pick one (1) from this list:

• Children 3-5 years
• Children 6-8 years

Access this program by either sending an email to [email protected] or by completing the online registration form.

For a limited time and until supplies last, PMFRC Deployment Services will offer Deployment Dolls to eligible Military families.  

To request a Deployment Doll, you will need to fill out the Deployment Doll request form.

A helpful tool to keep track of the good things happening during deployment. Pick one (1) from this list:

• Children ages 9-12
• Children ages 13+

Access this program by either sending an email to [email protected] or by completing the online registration form.

The Kid’s Deployment Support Group (KDSG) is a peer support program delivered in local schools (JK to Grade 8) for children who are currently experiencing the deployment of a parent/guardian. 

In a safe and comfortable environment, children learn a variety of positive living skills and age-appropriate stress management strategies to help them with their deployment situation.

Registration will be done through participating schools. For more information, send an email to [email protected].