Title: Military Family Resource Centre Guide: Department of National Defence Civilian Firefighter Family Program Author name: Kara-Lee Casselman Date: 13 March 2017 Document Version Number: 1.0
Contents 1. Introduction... 3 2. MFS Vision... 3 3. DND Civilian Firefighter Family Program... 4 4. Program Requirements... 4 5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ s)... 6
1. Introduction In February 2017, the Director of Military Family Services approved the extension of the Military Family Services Program (MFSP) to the Department of National Defence (DND) civilian firefighters and their families for a 7 month pilot initiative, to take place at four selected Military Family Resource Centres across Canada. The 7 month pilot will commence on 01 September 2017, and the MFSP will be accessible through various channels such as the Family Information Line (FIL), CAFconnection.ca, and the four selected pilot location sites. The CAF Firefighter occupation is comprised of active Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and civilian employees of the Department of National Defence (DND). CAF members and their families have access to a suite of services and supports including, but not limited to, CFMAP counselling, psychoeducation and mental health prevention programs, and peer support programs. The inherent risk of the firefighter trade further extenuates the need for support. This information was brought forward to the Military Family Services Advisory Council for consultation on the matter, and based on the input, four pilot locations were selected for the 7 month pilot. This initiative will allow for the following provision of services: 4 Pilot MFRC locations: o Extend regular MFSP programs and services to DND civilian firefighters and their families, for the duration of the pilot. CAFconnection.ca: o Upload MFSP content and information onto a DND Firefighter landing page to promote and advertise programs and services offered by the MFRCs and FIL. FIL: o Virtual Programming; and o Provide short-term counselling, information and referral, advocacy, and support services through the 24/7 telephone or email service. Social Media: o On-line group for families of DND civilian firefighters to allow them to connect with other families who are in similar situations in order to foster a social network of peer support. 2. MFS Vision During the pilot program, the following goals and expectations are highlighted Project Goals: 1. Extend existing MFSP services to DND civilian firefighters and their families; 2. Develop networking opportunities for the community of DND civilian firefighters; and 3. Provide DND civilian firefighters and their families with community resources of which they may not already be aware. Program Expectations: 1. Educate and incorporate DND civilian firefighters and their families into the programs and services that are offered under the MFSP; and 2. Provide a holistic approach to family support with early engagement and community outreach;
3. DND Civilian Firefighter Family Program 3.1 Pilot MFRCs The DND Civilian Firefighter Family Program is managed by MFS and primarily delivered by 4 pilot MFRC locations (Esquimalt, Edmonton, Kingston, and Halifax). In order to achieve the goals established for this pilot, access to regular MFSP programs and services will be extended to the DND civilian firefighters and their families for the duration of the pilot. Information and Referral and Support/Services Intervention Education/Awareness Welcome and Orientation Referral to community services Counselling (psychosocial, employment, etc) Information Employment services Crisis Support Education programming Educational support (parenting, psychoeducational) Personal development Community integration Activities for children and youth Outreach 3.2 Family Information Line (FIL) The second portal of entry for the DND Civilian Firefighter Program is FIL. FIL provides 24/7 support counselling, information and referral services to CAF communities nationally and internationally. As such, FIL is able to connect regular force CAF members, reservists, veterans and families with a multitude of national and local resources free of charge. Below is the contact information for FIL 1-800-866-4546 (North America) 1-613-995-5234 (Collect calls) 00-800-771-17722 (International) Email: FIL@CAFconnection.ca 3.3 CAFConnection.ca Formerly known as FamilyForce.ca, CAFconnection.ca is the final portal of entry for the DND Civilian Firefighter Family Program. This website acts as an online portal for all programs and services available to the CAF community, including this DND Civilian Firefighter Family Program pilot. This online resource is available 24/7 to all members of the CAF, veterans, and their families, and now this DND Civilian Firefighter community, encompassing the DND Civilian Firefighters and their families. 4. Program Requirements In preparation for the launch of the DND Civilian Firefighter Family Program, a Partnership Agreement was created between MFS and CFFM. This agreement provides guidance, guiding principles, and mutually determined specifications as it pertains to the launch of the trial initiative. At the end of the pilot period, MFS will conduct a review to assess the pilot and its uptake and suitability. Continual monitoring of the pilot program and its progress remains an important part of
the process. These areas of monitoring are the primary responsibility of MFS; however, MFRC structure differs between locations and may require delegation or collaboration from other MFRC staff. 1. File Management; and 2. Statistical Reporting and Program Evaluation. 4.1 File Management In order to satisfy the reporting requirements established in the PA, general information will need to be collected when DND civilian Firefighters and their families use the local MFSP services. A sample Client Information Form can be found at the link below: https://www.cfmws.com/en/aboutus/mfs/pages/dnd-civiliana-.aspx If MFRCs require adjustments to the sample intake form to accommodate local requirements, please consult with the Manager Military Family Services Canada before making any changes to ensure changes meet PA requirements. Please note that all personal information collected, used, disclosed, retained or destroyed needs to comply with the Government of Canada Privacy Act, Provincial Privacy Law, Provincial Personal Information Protection Act and MFS Privacy Code. 4.2 Statistical Reporting and Program Evaluation Statistical reporting is an important tool to measure, inform and define the performance and progress of the pilot project. Monthly reports need to be submitted to MFS from all 4 pilot MFRC locations. The due date for these reports is the second Friday of the following month, as follows: September 13 October 2017 October 10 November 2017 November 8 December 2017 December 12 January 2018 January 2018 09 February 2018 February 2018 09 March 2018 March 2018 13 April 2018 A statistical guidance document and template can be found at the link below: https://www.cfmws.com/en/aboutus/mfs/pages/dnd-civiliana-.aspx Program evaluation is also a necessary part of the statistical data collection for the DND Civilian Firefighter Program, as it helps MFS and the MFRCs understand whether the programs and services offered to the DND Civilian Firefighter community meet the needs and expectations of the participants. A sample program evaluation form can be found at the link below: https://www.cfmws.com/en/aboutus/mfs/pages/dnd-civiliana-.aspx
This template supports the reporting requirements outlined in the PA however, MFRCs are encouraged to report any additional information that reflects their support to the pilot and the DND Civilian Firefighter community. 5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ s) Below is a list of frequently asked questions about the DND Civilian Firefighter Family Program: 1. What is the DND Civilian Firefighter Family Program pilot project? This pilot extends the services of the Military Family Services Program which is available to serving CAF members and their families, to the DND civilian firefighters and their families who work alongside their CF counterparts and are exposed to traumatic and life-threating events. Though these firefighters are often established in their communities and do not face the mobility and deployment stressors that military families are often faced with, they face their own obstacles which are similar to our CAF community, but civilian resources are not offered or require a lengthy waitlist to provide family support. This pilot aims to offer the exemplary services that the MFSP offers, at no cost to the DND firefighting community during the phase of the pilot at the selected pilot sites. 2. What is the MFSP? The Military Family Services Program (MFSP) is the Canadian Armed Forces community based support program. It delivers consistent and coordinated national services for families, as well as a framework in which families can access community based services through the Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs). 3. What is the extension of the MFSP to DND Civilian Firefighters and their families? As of 1 September 2017 and under the DND Civilian Firefighters Program pilot, access to the local MFRC MFSP programs and services will be extended to DND Civilian Firefighters and their families for the 7 month initiative, in 4 pilot locations. Access to FIL and CAFconnection.ca are also extended to the DND Civilian Firefighters and their families. 4. Who is eligible to access the extension of the MFSP? Eligibility is extended to all DND Civilian Firefighters and their family, including spouse, children, parents, and/or other dependent relatives, living in the community of one of the 4 pilot locations. 5. Why is it a pilot? In order to test the requirement and impact of extending MFSP access to DND Civilian Firefighters and their families, MFS has committed to a 7 month trial basis. Throughout this time, file management and statistical reporting, as well as program evaluations, will be conducted in order to monitor the progress of the program and determine whether there is a need for the continuation and/or expansion of the DND Civilian Firefighter Family Program. 6. Why is the MFRC portion only available in 4 sites? As part of the pilot evaluation, MFS selected 4 different communities where DND Civilian Firefighters are present and based on feedback from the Military Family Services Advisory Council, these locations were in support of this trial.
The following 4 locations will be pilot sites for the DND Civilian Firefighter Family Program: Esquimalt, Edmonton, Kingston and Halifax. 7. Why is the pilot only for DND Civilian Firefighters and their families? DND Civilian Firefighters work along CAF firefighters and are exposed to the same traumas and incidents; however, they have to rely on community resources which often involve fees and lengthy waitlist. As this is a relatively small community, it should not have a drastic impact on MFRC resources, and we can reach out to and positively impact a broader audience. 8. What if the family is not living in the same location as the DND Civilian Firefighter? As DND Civilian Firefighters do not have the same mobility challenges as their CAF counterparts, it would be unlikely that their families would be living in a different location; however, should this occur, if the family is located at another pilot location, they may access the services at the MFRC. If they are not in fact living at a pilot community, support to the DND civilian firefighter family is at the discretion of the local, non-pilot MFRC. 9. Where can DND Civilian Firefighters and their families share their concerns if they are not eligible to participate in the pilot project? All concerns or complaints regarding the ineligibility or limited access to the DND Civilian Firefighter Family Program can be directed to the FIL. FIL will manage all of the feedback and forward to MFS for action. 10. Will DND Civilian Firefighters and their families have access to MFRC programming in locations other than the 4 selected pilot sites? Unfortunately due to the nature of this pilot initiative, DND Civilian Firefighters and their families who reside at locations other than the 4 selected pilot sites may not have access to the MFRCs in their geographical area. It is at the discretion of each local MFRC; however, they have not been instructed to implement the extension of their MFRC services and programs for the duration of the 7 month pilot initiative.