Military Family Navigators

Military Family Navigator Frequently Asked Questions

• Are Military Family Navigator supports age-specific for families with dependents?
  The different resources and supports that we provide can be age specific, and we do our best to have something for everyone, including but not limited to Prenatal and Postnatal Support, preschool ages 0-6, children ages 7-12, tweens and teens ages 13-18, as well as adults. 
• As a Military family member, can I meet with a Military Family Navigator on my own or the does the Military member need to be with me?
  The Military member is not required to be with you to meet with a Navigator. There is an on-call Military Family Navigator available from Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM to accommodate walk-ins at the South Side Community Centre at 1578 Wolfe Ave. You can also reach out via phone at 613-687-2104 or email at [email protected]. Meetings are confidential and will not be reported to the CAF member or the unit. 
• Can I bring my children with me for a one-on-one session?
  Yes! We encourage Military members and their families to attend a meeting with the Military Family Navigators all together, and this includes your children. 
• Can Military Family Navigators help with childcare?
  Navigators do not provide childcare however, they can discuss different childcare options in the Petawawa area to meet your family’s needs. To learn more about PMFRC childcare options, visit the Specialized Care Program for temporary care, the North Side Child Care program for occasional care, or Lil' Troopers Daycare to be added to the waitlist for full-time care. If your Family Care Plan has failed, visit PMFRC Emergency Family Care for assistance. 
• I don’t have access to a vehicle or transportation and would like to have an in-person session. Can Military Family Navigators accommodate this?
  A Navigator can meet you for a one-on-one meeting at various PMFRC locations to accommodate a lack of transportation. Reach out by phone or email to discuss possible locations. 
• I’m a Military member, how can a Military Family Navigator support me?
  As a Military member, Navigators can provide you with information and resources to support you and your family in all aspects of the Military life journey. If you’re deploying, we offer deployment readiness binders to help your family prepare, as well as the option to complete the PMFRC absence form to give us the authorization to reach out to your family while you’re away. Not deploying? We have information on community supports and can make referrals as needed. 
• Is there any financial support a Military Family Navigator can provide?
  A Navigator can assess your situation for eligibility for the Special Needs Grant (for adults and children), Tutoring Grant, or Summer Camp Funding from the Support Our Troops charity and submit the application on your behalf.  We can also make warm handover referrals to Unit Chaplains, SISIP and to local charities for other grants and loans, depending on your situation. 
• My family isn’t experiencing a deployment or other work-related separation this year, how can a Navigator help me?

  A Military Family Navigator is well versed in supporting all aspects of Military life. If your family is not experiencing a deployment this year, one-on-one support is still available for whatever your family may need, whether it is navigating community supports, looking into special needs assessment tools or simply getting information to be better connected, Navigators are here to help. 

  In addition, the Kids Deployment Support Group (KDSG) in local schools is now open to all Military children even if your family is not currently experiencing a deployment or absence, and  workshops on a variety of helpful topics are available throughout the year. 

• The Military member is my ex-spouse or former partner. Can you still provide support?
  Yes. We can support you with parts of your transition, and we can continue to support children of the Military member. Please reach out about your own family situation and we will support you in any way that we can and make warm handover referrals to trusted community partners if needed.   
• What does a Military Family Navigator do?
  The role of the Military Family Navigator is expansive and aims at providing a full circle approach of care and support for Military members and their families. No door is the wrong door and if we don’t have the answer right away, we will find it. We offer specialized support that meets your family's needs, and we walk alongside you to find solutions that work for you.