NR 11.059 - June 22, 2011
Military families will be better informed, connected and involved
OTTAWA - Today, the Defence Family celebrated the official launch of two new services: the FamilyForce.ca website and the Family Information Line, which will keep military families better informed, connected and involved. The announcement was made in the company of several military families who regularly frequent the Military Family Resource Centre of the National Capital Region.
“The loved-ones of Canadian Forces members play a critical role in the success of Canada’s men and women in uniform,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “We, as the Defence team, are committed to ensuring that military families are provided the information and services that they need to support their unique, and often demanding, lifestyles.”
Under the “Voice of Families” banner, these two new services are a tangible and true demonstration of the Canadian Forces’ commitment to military families. These new initiatives will connect military families to a wealth of existing programs and resources, as well as help increase their awareness and access to services. With frequent moves being a way of life for many military families, getting acquainted with a new community and finding out what services, programs and resources are available to them is very important.
“Through these new services families will be able to reach out to the large support system both here in Canada and abroad,” said Rear-Admiral Andy Smith, Chief of Military Personnel. “From this day forward, support to military families will be more easily available to them over the telephone and the Internet.”
The FamilyForce.ca website is intended as a central “one-stop shop”, easy-to-use directory that connects families to their local Canadian/Military Family Resource Centres (C/MFRCs), and to national information, services and resources. The website will allow families to find relevant information about programs and services offered in their location, regardless of whether they live on or off base, in Canada, the United States or Europe.
The Family Information Line is an expanded service that builds on the former Mission Information Line originally set up to give CF families deployment information. This expanded service will now offer information, support and referral services to all CF families, irrespective of whether a family’s loved one is deployed or not.
“The new FamilyForce.ca website and Family Information Line will go a long way in helping families get the information they need quickly, through one centralized toll free number and website,” said Celine Thompson, Director Military Family Services. “The distinct voices of Canadian Forces (CF) families will resonate through these new services.”
Established in April 1991, the Military Family Services Program has grown and evolved over the past 20 years and continues to meet families’ changing needs. The Director Military Family Services manages and funds the Military Family Services Program on behalf of the CF and DND.
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For more information on these two initiatives, please refer to the following link: https://www.cfpsa.com/en/psp/DMFS/docs/DMFS%20Backgrounder%2022%20June%20Launch%20FINAL.doc.
For more information, contact:
Julie Leblanc, Manager, DMFS, 613-996-5328
Julie.Leblanc6@forces.gc.ca
