Connecting military families

The Canadian Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) works with community partners, professional organizations, and government to help military families access the resources and support they need.

CFMWS provides information on subjects such as health, education, employment, childcare, and recreation. This includes access to Canadian Armed Forces service providers, including Military Family Resource Centres and other websites with information on what’s happening nationally and in your community. 

Follow our social media accounts for regular updates on the work we are doing to help the Defence community:

• Facebook: @dndcfombudsman
• Instagram: @dndcfombudsman
• Twitter: @DNDCF_Ombudsman

The following CFMWS social media accounts share information about military family programs and services:

• Military Family Services: Helping military and veteran families navigate the unique military lifestyle.
• Family Information Line (FIL): The FIL offers 24/7 bilingual information, support, and crisis intervention for all Canadian military members, veterans, and their families. For a confidential conversation with a counselor, contact the FIL by calling 1-800-866-4546 or writing to fil-lif@cfmws.com.
• Personnel Support Program (PSP): Helping the military community become healthier in spirit, mind, and body.
• #MyVoiceMaVoix: This is a closed Facebook group, accessible only to the Canadian military community. Communicate directly with Military Family Services (MFS) about your experiences as a military family member. MFS staff are admins of this group.
• Special Needs: This is a closed Facebook group where military families can seek information and assistance for family members with special needs.
• Support to Parents: This is a closed Facebook group for parents of CAF members to connect and share their experiences.

Families transitioning out of the CAF can access the following programs for information and support:

The Veteran Family Program

The Veteran Family Program (VFP), funded by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), is available at 32 Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs) across Canada. This program offers services to medically releasing CAF members, medically released veterans, and their families.

Find out more about how VFP Transition Programs support military members and their families’ transition to post-service life. You can consult the VFP Frequently asked questions or connect with a VFP Coordinator at your nearest MFRC for information or assistance. You can also call the Family Information Line at 1-800-866-4546 or email FIL@CAFconnection.ca.

Visit the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) and ‘select your community’ at the top of the webpage for the contact information for the MFRC closest to you.

For additional information on benefits and services to which you may be entitled, visit the Military Benefits Browser  If you have questions, contact our office.

Veterans Affairs Canada Programs and Service

• VAC services and information for the families of CAF members and Veterans.
• VAC Transition to Civilian Life

Research on Canadian military families is crucial to:

• support these families,
• guide community partnerships,
• allocate resources more effectively, and
• deliver services which meet family needs.

Military Family Services, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services

Military Family Services (MFS), a division of the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS), conducted research to develop the Comprehensive Military Family Plan.

CFMWS also provides public access to military family research findings such as:

• the state of military families in Canada,
• the CAF community needs assessment,
• research on military families, and
• studies completed by the Director General Military Personnel Research and Analysis.

Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research

The Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) supports Canadian health research, partnerships, and knowledge sharing. The Institute’s research enhances the lives of Canadian military personnel, veterans, and their families by way of its national and international research capacity. The CIMVHR has 1,700 individual researchers, 46 Canadian university partners, and 14 global affiliates. Its research is published in the Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. This is an online, open access, and peer-reviewed scholarly journal. 

The Vanier Institute of the Family

The Vanier Institute is a national, independent, charitable organization focused on improving the well-being of families in Canada through its work with researchers, educators, policymakers, and family-focused organizations. Visit the Vanier Institute to access their latest research summaries, articles, fact sheets and infographics, and reports and collaboration, several of which are military family focused.