DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT
You are at the right place!
The VFC provides information sessions, support and references when your family goes through a deployment or an extended absence like a course, a transfer or an exercise. We can help you get adequately prepared for the departure and absence and give you all the tools you will need to make the return easier.
Please refer to the Community Activities section and our Calendar to learn more.
Will You be Going Through an Absence? Are You Going Through an Absence?
Our goal is to help you cope when your family is going through the deployment or the prolonged absence of one of its members due to a course, a transfer, or an exercise. We offer you a support plan to help you during such absences, and our assistance to facilitate your loved one’s homecoming.
Here Is What We Offer:
| Before he/she leaves | During his/her absence | Before and after his/her homecoming |
|---|---|---|
| Information session | Support via virtual intervention | Getting ready for his/her homecoming |
| Getting ready for his/her departure | Drop-off points (parcels, letters) for Afghanistan | "Missions Accomplished" interactive tool |
| Getting ready for the departure for single-parent families | Support group | Guide to work-sharing |
| Dinner show | Mirage club | Raising Consciousness about post-deployment impacts |
| Documentation | Oasis club | |
| "Dog Tag" | Awareness and Prevention Activiy for day-care centers | |
| Information session in schools | ||
| Trainings for intervening parties |
A family member’s departure for a mission, a posting or a training has an impact on family dynamics. We are here to help you plan for this absence.
Before His/Her Departure
Information Session
Before the departure, you can attend an information session about the mission, which is a courtesy of the chain of command. Also, various resources will be available to answer your questions.
Getting Ready for his/her Departure
Soon he/she will leave. You will experience several emotions and you will wonder if your reactions are normal. To prepare yourself properly before the departure, please participate in our workshop.
Getting Ready for his/her Departure for Single-Parent Families
This workshop includes a few meetings and is especially made for single-parent family. What issues do I need to settle before he/she leaves? Who will take care of the children? What emotions am I feeling when thinking of the upcoming departure? This is a great opportunity to answer these questions and several others.
Dinner Show
The departure is coming up soon... you have probably been quite busy during the last few weeks. Take advantage of this evening to relax, take it easy and meet other couples or parents of military force members in the same situation as yours.
Documentation
A wide range of materials is available to help you get ready for his/her departure and get informed. Come and get them!
- The Check-List: : This reminder will let you make sure that everything is ready for the departure, both on financial and on legal matters.
- The Toolbox: This book contains many tips and tricks to help parents who have kids aged 0 to 5. It introduces many subjects, such as children’s reactions, communication, ways to prepare them for the upcoming departure and to introduce discussions about sensitive topics such as war, and avenues to facilitate the homecoming.
- The Passport: This book is similar to The Toolbox, but it is written for kids aged 6-12. The Passport includes subjects such as adaptation factors, work-sharing, media coverage and motivation at school.
- The Deployment Guide for Parents of Military Force Members: his guide is specially adaptedto help with the reality of having a son or daughter in the Armed Forces. It covers a number of subjects such as emotions, the daily life of military force members, the post-incident procedures, communication and the homecoming.
- A Guide for Families of Military Force Members; Getting on Well with the Media: This guide is made to help families with their meeting with the media, which is often present in the life of military force members and their families.
- The Missing Link: This book, which is mainly aimed at spouses, explains different emotions that are felt during an absence and various tips to apply before his/her departure and during his/her homecoming.
- The Deployment Guide: This national document was created to display information and support sources before, during and after the deployment.
- The Meeting Guide: This document aims to provide families with useful information, counselling and suggestions to make the meeting process as non-stressful as possible.
- A Father They Can Be Proud of, Jojo’s Mommy is Absent, Personal Journal for the Deployment: These books are suited for children help them understand the reality of deployment.
"Dog Tag"
Will you be leaving soon and wish to give something special to your children? Come get a special military identification tag for your children so that they know that, wherever you are, you think of them.
During His/Her Absence
Do you know a military force member in Afghanistan?
Drop-off points (parcels, letters) for Afghanistan
- At the Valcartier Family Centre, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
During times of massive deployment, open on Wednesdays until 8:30 p.m. - At the Sainte-Foy service point, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Other drop-off points in the Quebec region.
Support Group
Do you wish to participate in activities and develop new relationships with people who are going through the same experiences as you? Whether you are a military force member’s parent or spouse, join one of our groups! The frequency and type of activity will be determined by the participants.
Mirage Club
Children 3 to 12 years old, whose parents are doing an exercise, a course or are imposed by a restriction can meet and do activities with other children that are going through the same thing Sign them up with the Mirage Club!
Oasis Club
Are you going through a deployment? Do you have children aged 3 to 12? Enroll them in the Oasis Club and give them an opportunity to have fun, talk about their parent’s absence, meet other kids of the same age and to take part in special activities.
Awareness and Prevention Activity in Day-Care Centers
This activity is specially made for children aged from 3 to 5 who are going through the absence of a parent. For a visit in your neighbourhood, contact us!
Information Session in Elementary Schools
Would you like for the people who work with your children at school to learn a little more about military force members and their duties during a mission? A military force member and a VFC facilitator can come to your child’s school to give a a presentation.
Training for Intervening Parties
Does your child go to a day-care center or a school? Help your child’s educators know more about the reality of military families’ lives. We can meet with them for an information session about your unique circumstances.
Before And After His/Her Return
Getting Ready for Homecoming
TThe time for homecoming is coming up, and you are sure to go through a wide range of emotions. You should remember that you are not alone in this situation. Come to our workshop to better understand homecoming and to discover what will make adjusting to family life easier.
"Mission Accomplished" Interactive Tool
Your family has been reunited. However, living together again sometimes requires a certain period of adjustment. This tool for families allows you to discuss while watching and completing the different activities. Click here to access this tool.
Guide to Work-Sharing
THomecoming time has finally come! Everyone developed new habits and got into a routine and sometimes, the adjustment to daily life can be difficult. Take advantage of our quiz for couples to let you know where you are in your relationship and what you can do together to make the situation easier.
Raising Consciousness about Post-Deployment Impacts
The military force member has been back for a few months now. It is possible that adapting to family life may be harder than expected. This meeting will allow you to better understand the problems of operational stress injuries.
Remember above all that intervening parties are available to answer your questions and also that their door is open should you need to talk.
For more information, documents about the absence or simply to subscribe to one of our activities, contact us at 418-844-6060 or with our toll free number, 1-877-844-6060.
All activities are available day or evening, in French or English, in Valcartier or Sainte-Foy, depending on demand.
