Welcome/Bienvenue Veteran Family Program February 2016 Ottawa, Ontario

Transcription

1 Welcome/Bienvenue Veteran Family Program February 2016 Ottawa, Ontario

2 Veteran Family Program Introduction Background The Government of Canada and Veterans Affairs Canada have invested $10 million in a four-year pilot project to provide medically releasing Veterans and their families with access to the Military Family Support Program (MFSP) from 01 October 2015 to 30 September The Veteran Family pilot initiative will include access to seven Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC). These sites are located in Esquimalt, Edmonton, North Bay, Trenton, Shilo, Valcartier and Halifax. The MFRCs, as well as the Family Information Line and familyforce.ca website, will be open to medically releasing personnel and their families for the duration of the pilot project. Support services will include welcome and community orientation sessions, parenting workshops, child care, outreach, information and referral, personal growth and development programming, employment and educational assistance. These services have traditionally been available only to still-serving members of the CAF.

3 Veteran Family Program Program launch date: 01 October pilot locations: Esquimalt, Edmonton, Shilo, North Bay, Trenton, Valcartier, Halifax Medically released Veterans and their families will have access to a familiar network of family support during transition and for a period of up to 2 years from the date of release from the CAF. The Veteran Family Program has been extended to included to all MFRCs. Non Pilot locations will provide support to the CAF member and their families in preparation for transition to civilian life from the official date of notification of 3B medical release. Support medically released members and their families effectively prepare for and transition into civilian life by: Providing enhanced information and referral services Offer transition programs Provide access to intervention support services

4 Research Results Military Family Services 1. The Needs of Medically Releasing CAF Personnel and their Families A literature Review 2. The Needs of Medically Releasing CAF Personnel and their Families MFRC Environmental Scan and Subject Matter Expect Survey Result 1. Research Priorities Tailor services using the injury recovery trajectory; Use existing evidence-based strategies including family education on the injury/illness and recovery process, family care management, emotion regulation skills development, injury communication training, and development of problem-solving and shared goals; Train and evaluate clinicians in these evidence-based strategies; Understand and support community provider capacity; and Research the full constellation of Canadian military families to ensure services match the needs of all families, not just traditional nuclear families. 2. Research Priorities Develop resources for families and MFRCs that describe the transition process and key timelines, and compile all services and benefits available; Incorporate informal consultations with families to verify needs and supports; Implement evidence-based strategies, and simultaneously evaluate MFRC-developed programs to assess evidence of effectiveness; Build on currently successful projects (e.g. FOCUS-CI, OSISS, Good to Go, YPET, E=MC3; istep); and Develop consistent tracking processes and mechanisms to contribute greatly to the overall knowledge base of Canadian military families and services that also upholds all privacy and client confidentiality requirements and standards.

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7 Demographics From 2006 to 2011 a total of 8,026 CAF members medically released (Source: Office of the Auditor General of Canada, 2012) In 2013 there were 1,190 Reg Force members and 276 Reserve members that medically released (Source: Canada News Centre, Government of Canada, 2014) Currently: 1,200 CAF members, 700 spouses and 850 children. These stats do not include parents, siblings, BF/GF who may provide direct support 70% of these members have a family with 1.2 children under the age of 18 50% of which have a permanent physical injury 50% have psychological limitations

8 Programs and Services Veteran Family Program Working Group consists of 17 MFRC staff members (including the 7 pilot locations) help shape the VFP Local programs at MFRCs will focus on enhanced information and referral, workshops/sessions, community referrals/partnerships, outreach support, access to child care Current national programs that will be available to all locations: Living Life to the Full Bounce Back The Way Forward FOCUS Caregiver Modules Triple P Programs under consideration: Employment Family SCAN/Med SCAN Access to family physician

9 THE WAY FORWARD Veteran Family Program Created by Lakeland College to provide a resource to better facilitate the transition to civilian life Online module based (communications, organization, goals, challenges, emotions, MH, resources) Includes a family component Bilingual

10 FOCUS Veteran Family Program FOCUS is an evidence based resiliency-building program designed for military families and children facing the challenges of multiple deployment stress and combat OSI. FOCUS was developed by a team of experts in child and family psychological health from UCLA and Harvard Medical School working in collaboration with military service providers. Helping families and couples to identify and build upon their existing strengths and positive coping strategies Increasing parents and children s understanding of how different family members might react to deployment stress

11 Veteran Family Program FOCUS continued Helping service members and their family members communicate and better understand how each was affected by deployment Working with parents to better support one another in dealing with the stressors that can arise from long separations Assisting parents to work more effectively as a team in caring for their children before, during, and after deployment. 15 MFRC social service workers trained in Dec 2015 Kingston MFRC has incorporated this program for over a year with great success Training opportunity in June (Ottawa) for 15 additional MFRC staff

12 Veteran Family Program Caregiver Program Online self directed resource developed with The Royal Hospital Provides resources and information on self care for the person caring for the ill/injured member Triple P Positive Parenting Program Online modules self directed Evidence based education and support for parents and caregivers for children 0 to 16 yrs focus on parenting, self confidence, encouraging and empowering skills Prevention and intervention approach

13 Veteran Family Program Bounce Back MH self help virtual support program for mild to moderate depression Telephone coaching/dvd Using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) methods Living Life to the Full 8 week course classroom led by LLTTF facilitators Focuses on the 5 areas of CBT (stress, mood, anxiety, life challenges etc.)

14 Veteran Family Program Upcoming professional development opportunities offered by the VFP: March 9 (Ottawa) VFP information session for WG members and non pilot MFRC staff March 10 (Ottawa) Transition from military to civilian life training presented by Suzanne Nault for non pilot MFRC staff. WG members will resume program planning March 29 to April 1 st (TBC) TeleFOCUS training of the online version of FOCUS. Open to all MFRCs who are prepared to offer as an outreach option for their community. June 20 to 24 (Ottawa) FOCUS training for the family and couples modules. Open to 15 MFRC staff (must meet minimum criteria).

15 Questions?