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| New Faces at DMFS
Lieutenant-Colonel Cheryl Baldwin Chief Warrant Officer Ray McInnis, MMM, CD Lieutenant-Commander Garth Taylor Capt Audrey Hudon Robin Whitford Christine Sharp 26 August 2008 - MFSP Funding ApplicationYour 2009-2010 MFSP Funding Application must be submitted via the MFSP eBusiness Centre, by midnight ET, Saturday 1 November 2008 25 August 2008 - Perstempo SurveyDuring the CF Family Services Summit many participants requested more localized information of the presented 2005 Spousal Perstempo results. In response to this popular demand, the survey is now available online. Click here for the results of the survey and Annex A. 14 July 2008 - Important AnnouncementLt(N) Sophie Charest, Social Work Program Development, Director Medical Policy has just informed Director Military Family Services Program (DMFS) that the Family Crisis Team Training has been postponed until Spring 2009. Canadian Forces Family Services SummitPresentations: Spousal PERSTEMPO presentation – Sanela Dursun, DMPORA - 24 May 2008 Australian Defence Community Organization presentations – 24 May 2008 Trade Show Recommendations – 25 May 2008 18 April 2008 - Overview of Research on Family Support in the Canadian Forces Military Families: Strength Behind the Uniform
Background The Director Military Family Services (DMFS) designated the promotion of the Military Family Services Program (MFSP) to Canadian military families as a top priority for 2007/2008. An Advisory Committee was established in June 2007 tasked with the responsibility of developing a marketing strategy for the MFSP. We are pleased to report that the development of the marketing campaign, Military Families: Strength Behind the Uniform, is progressing well.
Campaign Focus The focus of the campaign is to recognize the inherent resources, skills and capacities of CF families; to strengthen CF families and communities by promoting and facilitating community-based military family services; and to create awareness of the MFSP, including how accessible, reliable and flexible Canadian/Military Family Resource Centres (C/MFRCs) services are.
Campaign Objectives As a result of this campaign, we want CF families to go to our websites, phone or email us, or come in to our C/MFRCs. We want CF families to know that they are recognized as the Strength Behind the Uniform and that C/MFRCs provide programs and services specifically designed to meet the individual needs of their community. On the horizon The full campaign launch is anticipated for the Fall 2008. At that time, a national 1-877-280-3636 number and a web portal for families (www.mfrc.ca and www.crfm.ca) will be introduced as a means to connect CF families to their nearest MFRC. C/MFRCs also receive a full version of the Military Families: Strength Behind the Uniform campaign plan that will further detail C/MFRCs role for the successful launch of this campaign.
Contact Brian M. Gallant, MFSP Information Manager, Director Military Family Services Canadian Navl Centennial 1910-2010For nearly 100 years, Canadians have answered both the call of their country and the sea through service in Canada’s navy. From cities, towns, villages and First Nations communities, they stepped forward to stand their watch at sea on guard for Canada’s values, while often leaving family members back in port to keep the home fires burning. While Canadians joined the naval service whether motivated by patriotism, sense of duty or adventure, these ordinary men and women accomplished extraordinary achievements and helped to shape the history of our country as a maritime nation. Now is your chance to recognize and promote their accomplishments and preserve their memory, while making memories of your own. Given the vastness of our country, it is easy to forget that we are and always have been a maritime nation. As warships of Canada’s Navy continue to defend our nation’s interests, it becomes all the more important to show Canadians the incredible contribution our navy has made both in home waters and around the world…100 years of adventure, 100 years of ships, and 100 years of people, all of which make us who we are today. The centennial will be a significant occasion both in our navy’s and our nation’s history. We will celebrate our achievements and recognize our obligation to Canada with the naval centennial slogan: Commemorate, Celebrate, Commit. The navy, along with many naval- oriented civilian stakeholder groups, is planning exciting centennial activities across the country. These include: • Major international fleet assemblies at the location of Canadian Navy fleet bases in Victoria and Halifax; Naval Centennial Committees are being organized in each of the 24 cities across Canada where Naval Reserve Divisions are based and in many other locations to plan events in their respective communities. Where do you see yourself as a family member during this anniversary year? We, the navy, see you onboard with us for this voyage assisting us to steer the ship. Your role is as equally important as that of the sailor at sea; and we want this celebration and commemoration to be as much about the families that support our sailors as it is about the sailor in uniform. Over the past century our families have been the backbone that keeps life going on the home front and allows those at sea to concentrate on the task at hand. So, please “get onboard”, visit our centennial web site, review the list of approved MARCORD activities / events, see where you can also be involved within these activities or be creative and put forward suggestion of events, and activities you would like to see happen and/or supported during this momentous year, through your own submission by following the MARCORD 07-01. The Royal Canadian Legion - Committed to our military families well-beingClick here for more information. VIA Rail to Honour Canadian Forces and National Defence Employees26 March 2008 -During the month of July, current and past Canadian Forces members, National Defence employees and their familles are able to enjoy a special fare permitting unlimited travel in Comfort class across the VIA network. This special fare is the first of its kind and will affect about half a million current or retired members eligible for this promotion. Click here for more information. Military Personnel Command (MILPERSCOM) Transformation Initiatives15 April 2008 - What is the Military Family Services (MFSP) Transformation? 28 March 2008 - In addition to the transformation of Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA) and Directorate Military Family Services (DMFS), Chief Military Personnel (CMP) has also identified the requirement to transform military family services. Click here for more information.
18 February 2008 -The transformation of Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA) was approved by Armed Forces Council on February 11, 2008. Although the stand up of Director General Personnel and Family Support Services remains 1 April 2008, the transfer of the responsibility for family policy and the transformation of Director Military Family Services has changed to 1 May 2008. On behalf of Chief Military Personnel and through Director General Personnel and Family Support Services, DMFS is the responsible authority for effective, responsive and coordinated CF family services and CF family policy.
13 February 2008 -As some Canadian/Military Family Resource Centre (C/MFRC) staff and volunteers may already be aware, Chief Military Personnel (CMP) has undertaken a number of transformation initiatives since assuming Command. It is expected in the near future that these initiatives will have an impact on Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA), as well as Director Military Family Services (DMFS). Click here for more information. Scavenger Hunt WinnersSeveral Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs) tied, scoring 100%, on the MFRC Board Orientation and Training Kit Scavenger Hunt contest. The prize winners were therefore determined by a draw. Click here for more information. Raising the Roof on FundraisingOn October 27th, the Valcartier Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) held its “Criée d’automne” (fall auction), an event that was honoured by the presence of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada. Taking place every two years, this is the largest fundraiser organized by the Valcartier MFRC. Over 570 people from the business sector as well as the military world attended the fourth benefit, which allowed the Valcartier MFRC to raise over $186,000.
Paul Côté (spouse of Marie-Claude Michaud), Marie-Claude Michaud (Executive Director, Valcartier MFRC), the Right Honourable Stephen Harper and Luc Girard, DMFS Field Operations Manager. |
The New Faces at DMFSBARB BRAGG - FIELD OPERATIONS MANAGER Originally from Flin Flon, MB, Barb currently resides in Brandon, MB with life pit stops along the way in Northern Ontario, Australia, Winnipeg, Lethbridge, Vancouver and Toronto. After achieving a Physical Education Degree from the University of Manitoba, Barb started her career in Toronto as Physical Education Director of the Metro Toronto YMCA. She subsequently developed a passion for community development and the Family Resource Movement and moved into a leadership role with the YMCA developing family resource centres for the YMCA. Following 11 years with the YMCA, and the birth of four children, she and her husband moved to Brandon in 1989. With the move to Brandon came a new career in technology. She began working in the retail sector and quickly was overcome with an entrepreneurial spirit which led to part ownership of a large retail computer outlet in Brandon. She went on her own in 1996 with the establishment of a community based centre for life long learning. Throughout this period of building her business, Barb continued her community work as a volunteer, sitting on many diverse local boards of directors such as the YWCA, Regional Health Authority, Brandon University, Chamber of Commerce, United Way and Manitoba Smart Network, among others. As well, Barb provided leadership nationally with 8 years on the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs (4 as President), and 2 years on the Canadian Child Care Federation Board. Barb was honoured with the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in 1999, the 2002 Woman Entrepreneur of the Year for Manitoba and more recently, the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for her work with the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs. Barb is extremely excited to be entering a new phase in life which is giving her an opportunity to combine all aspects of her diverse career with her passion for family support and community development. JACKIE CARLÉ – FIELD OPERATIONS MANAGER Jackie moved to Canada from the UK as a teenager and her family settled in British Columbia. Jackie received her degree from the University of Victoria where she met her husband, Kevin. He joined the Navy and after 27 years of marriage and two children, they are delighted to be making their way back to the west coast to stay! Jackie has over 10 years of experience with the Military Family Services Program. While on the east coast, she worked at the Shearwater MFRC. She has her credentials in Board Governance training and has facilitated Board training sessions at various MFRCs and other not for profit agencies. Jackie worked for several years as the Human Resources and Program Director; Director of Development; and Volunteer Coordinator at the Union Mission, a shelter for Homeless men in Ottawa. Prior to their recent posting to Poland, Jackie worked for Internal Audit & Review (CFPSA) conducting program audits of MFRCs across the country. While in Warsaw she undertook projects relating the CMFRCs in Europe as well as contract work with Centrepointe-Europe. Recently, Jackie developed an updated audit tool for DMFS and for the past year has conducted audits at MFRCs across Canada. Jackie is enthusiastic about military family services and delighted to continue to be part of this evolving and dynamic program. |
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