DAOD 5044-1, Families

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Overview
3. Canadian Armed Forces Commitment to Families
4. Canadian Armed Forces Family Network
5. Family Care Plan
6. Responsibilities
7. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2000-05-02

Date of Last Modification: 2002-02-08

Application: This is an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Approval Authority: This DAOD is issued under the authority of the Assistant Deputy Minister (Human Resources - Military) (ADM(HR-Mil)).

Enquiries: Directorate Military Family Services (DMFS)

2. Overview

Context

2.1 The CAF is a professional institution that requires its members to place service to country and needs of the CAF ahead of personal considerations. CAF members must remain mobile and deployable to meet the exigencies of the CAF and to enhance training and experience. This may create profound disruption for the families of CAF members.

2.2 The CAF recognizes the contributions and sacrifices made by families and the difficulties that CAF members may face in balancing commitment to country with family life. Furthermore, the CAF acknowledges the ever-changing structure, composition and function of Canadian families.

2.3 The development and implementation of family orientated policy and program initiatives will enable CAF members and their families to respond more effectively to the stresses associated with military life and better balance the often-conflicting demands of work and family.

3. Canadian Armed Forces Commitment to Families

Canadian Armed Forces Commitment

3.1 The CAF will:

1. provide services for the well-being of CAF members and their families;
2. assist in reducing the impact created by frequent postings on the social and educational integration and stability of CAF members and their families; and
3. take measures (through the CAF family network) to reduce the impact of long and frequent periods of family separation.

Principles

3.2 The CAF draws on personnel from a variety of professions and affiliations working cooperatively to provide a holistic approach to the needs of families. To this end this DAOD is based on the following principles. The CAF will:

1. promote the development of an effective family network through the provision of family support programs and services, offered in both official languages, that will enhance the social and personal (including physical, spiritual and emotional) well-being of CAF members and their families;
2. take measures to facilitate families securing accommodation which is suitable to personal circumstances, in a timely fashion and at any location where duty demands;
3. provide health care and support to serving members and those injured in service for Canada, in collaboration with Veterans Affairs Canada (where appropriate), including services to family members in accordance with relevant regulations and programs;
4. through education and awareness, endeavour to foster a better understanding between CAF members and their families, and civilians and local communities; and
5. promote effective communication between families and the CAF as a whole, while ensuring that the individual's right to privacy and protection of personal information is respected.

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4. Canadian Armed Forces Family Network

Canadian Armed Forces Family Network Diagram

4.1 Various groups and organizations acting in the areas of activities identified below will interact within their respective authority with families to implement the principles found in this DAOD.

4.2 An effective family network is maintained by constant and worthwhile communications among all the elements indicated in the diagram below.

5. Family Care Plan

(amended 2002-02-08)

General

5.1 Adequate personal preparation is critical to the operational readiness and effectiveness of a CAF member. It enhances a member's state of readiness to be absent for duty reasons and the well-being of the family during such absences. In the event that personal circumstances arise that temporarily limit a member's deployability or ability to perform duties, the CAF offers substantial flexibility to help members satisfy their family care needs in the form of a contingency cost move or compassionate status, with or without posting action.

Purpose

5.2 The purpose of the family care plan (FCP) is to:

1. assist members with planning for family care needs in the event of an absence for duty reasons; and
2. apprise commanding officers (COs) of potential difficulties regarding family care needs that may be encountered by some members in the event of an absence for duty reasons.

Preparation and Amendment of the FCP

5.3 All Regular Force and Primary Reserve members who are responsible for providing financial, health care or other support to a family member shall prepare an FCP, fully taking into account all family care circumstances which could prevent an absence for duty reasons.

5.4 Members shall consider all possible scenarios of absence for duty reasons, including emergency call-outs, domestic and international operational deployments, collective and individual training, and short-term duty requirements.

5.5 Members shall review and amend their FCP:

1. on posting when initially reporting to a new unit;
2. as their family care circumstances change; and
3. during the deployment preparation process.

5.6 There may be situations in which a member is required to be absent for duty reasons and breakdown of the FCP is beyond the control of the member. However, a member who does not in good faith fully take into account all known family care circumstances in the preparation of the FCP may be subject to administrative and/or disciplinary action.

Completion of the FCP Declaration

5.7 All Regular Force and Primary Reserve members shall complete Part I of form DND 2886, Family Care Plan (FCP) Declaration.

5.8 Part II of the form may also be completed at the option of a member to provide information to unit authorities concerning the member's FCP.

Administration

5.9 While an FCP is the responsibility of the member and is not approved by the unit, the member may seek the advice of unit authorities on the preparation of the FCP and the completion of the form, Family Care Plan Declaration. The form submitted by the member may be reviewed by unit authorities for completeness only.

5.10 If a member consents, a copy of the completed form shall be provided to the appropriate Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) to facilitate the provision of support and information to the family during any period of absence for duty reasons.

5.11 The completed form is retained on the member's personal file and protected in accordance with the Privacy Act.

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6. Responsibilities

Responsibility Table

6.1 The following table identifies responsibilities for families.

7. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• Not applicable in this DAOD.

Other References

• Privacy Act
• DAOD 2008-0, Public Affairs Policy
• DAOD 5039-0, Official Languages
• Form DND 2886, Family Care Plan (FCP) Declaration

(amended 2002-02-08)