DAOD 5044-3, Deployment Support Groups

Mission

• unique unit and mission concerns;
• overview of the mission, subject to security requirements;
• general threat as deemed necessary;
• cultural issues of the area of operations;
• family understanding of potential ethical issues facing CF members;
• media interest in the military deployment; and
• family security issues as a result of the assigned mission.

Family

• MFRCs:
  • information and referral services;
  • child / youth services;
  • emergency childcare coordination; and
  • crisis intervention;
• family care plan (FCP); and
• military family identification card (MFID)

Health and Well-Being

• critical incident stress debriefings (CISDS);
• life and disability insurance;
• loss/theft of personal property;
• hospital and health insurance plans;
• Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP);
• CF Dependants Dental Care Plan (DDCP);
• CF Member Assistance Program (CFMAP);
• home repair trouble shooting and points of contact; and
• DND/Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Center, for the support of injured, retired CF members and their families.

Administrative, Financial and Legal Matters

• overview of CAF members preparation:
  • pre- and post-deployment medical;
  • eye wear;
  • clothing and equipment preparation;
  • passports and visas;
  • international drivers license;
  • foreign currency;
  • air travel;
  • international standby list procedures; and
  • unit leave plan (pre, during and post deployment);
• pay and allowances;
  • arrangements and individual banking; and
  • trouble shooting;
• power of attorney;
• guardianship of children;
• will; and
• common-law statutory declaration.

Note - If family members plan on travelling to the general area during the military deployment, appropriate general advice should also be provided to the families.

Compensation and Benefits (as applicable)

Allowances and other benefits under or in respect of:

• the Military Foreign Service Regulations;
• relocation and travel;
• leave;
• special duty areas (disability pensions); and
• other programs.

Base/Wing Services

• unit orderly room services;
• personnel support program (PSP) services:
  • sports and fitness;
  • recreation;
  • CANEX;
  • Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP) financial services; and
  • community councils;
• police services;
• social worker services; and
• chaplain services.

Communications

• public affairs briefing/training;
• mission information line;
• mail services;
• Internet;
• customs regulations;
• telephone calls; and
• CF Amateur Radio System (CFARS).

DSG Role and Contacts

• establishment and composition;
• location; and
• points and methods of contact.

Coordinating Authority

Pre-Deployment Phase:

• establishing a DSG, including appropriate infrastructure, logistical, financial and telecommunication support;
• establishing links with other units providing mission augmentees;
• organizing and conducting briefings to address the appropriate subject areas;
• overseeing the operations of the DSG including guidance on the provision of information and services via a multi-media approach (handbook, CD ROM, Internet websites, briefings, pamphlets, etc.);
• providing CF members with appropriate DSG contact information; and
• liaising with the Departure Assistance Group (DAG).

Deployment Phase:

• communicating with the DSG on a routine basis and providing status reports as permitted by the mission policy;
• liaising with the DSG to co-ordinate unit homecoming; and
• scheduling in consultation with health care professionals a family reunion stress briefing at least four weeks prior to the anticipated return date.

Post-Deployment Phase:

• submitting after-action reports on DSG operation to the appropriate HQ:
• conducting post-deployment briefings; and
• coordinating with the MFRC and base/wing social worker (B/WSWO) any follow-up requirements.

DSG

Pre-Deployment Phase:

• partnering with the DAG and the military family network elements, including the MFRC, and establishing programs and services as appropriate;
• providing a current list of DSG military and civilian contacts to families affected by the military deployment, including parents of single CF members;
• determining the special needs of individuals or families;
• communicating with the parent units of mission augmentees to ensure the assignment of a DSG;
• preparing a response plan for family emergencies or significant incidents; and
• ensuring families have appropriate access, through the local MFRC, to a Crisis Intervention Team.

Deployment Phase:

• communicating regularly with the deployed unit, mission policy permitting;
• communicating regularly with families, including parents of single CF members, using a variety of methods, e.g., telephones, 1-800 numbers, pamphlets, base newspapers, Internet web sites, briefings etc.;
• ensuring that the families of CF members are aware of the programs and services offered by the military family network, including MFRC professional services and their referral services;
• being accessible to families;
• developing plans for and assisting in unusual situations, e.g., postal strike, casualty administration, temporary disability, administrative or financial difficulties, etc;
• maintaining a daily occurrence log for reference and continuity purposes; and
• assisting in organizing a family reunion stress briefing.

Post-Deployment Phase:

• participating in homecoming activity planning and execution; and
• submitting after action reports to the coordinating authority including lessons learned and best practices.