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Military Family Resource Centre
Our Mission
The Edmonton Garrison Military Family Resource Centre supports military families as they navigate the unique challenges of military life through programs and services that enhance their strength and resilience.
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About the MFRC
The Edmonton Garrison Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) is a non-profit, charitable organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. At least 51% of the board membership is civilian spouses of full-time serving Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel. Edmonton is part of a national network of MFRCs, providing mandated services and responding to community need through positive action, education and support. For over 30 years, our Board of Directors, staff and volunteers have been committed to supporting military families as they navigate the many unique challenges of military life.
Stay in touch!
Facebook: facebook.com/EdmontonMFRC French Facebook: facebook.com/CRFMedmonton Instagram: EdmontonMFRC Youtube: youtube.com/user/EdmontonMFRC Website: CAFconnection.ca/Edmonton
Sign up for MFRC’s e-newsletter to hear about new programs and special offers!
Visit CAFconnection/Edmonton/e-newsletter and click the link to subscribe. You can unsubscribe at any time.
MFRC Program Registration
• In person at the MFRC, Bldg. 161 • By phone with Visa or MasterCard 780-973-4011 ext. 6300 • Online at CAFconnection.ca/Edmonton
Who can access MFRC programs?
The programs offered through the MFRC are open to spouses, partners, children and relatives of Canadian Armed Forces’ personnel (both Regular and Reserve Force) and the Defence Community, which includes current CAF, veteran, families of the fallen, civilian DND, MFRC, PSP, reservists, and their immediate family members. Check each program for eligibility.
Program Refund Policy
This policy is intended for general interest workshops and programs. Some restrictions may apply. Please refer to individual program terms of agreement for specific refund policies.
Participants who withdraw two days prior to the start of a workshop or program will be issued a full refund. Withdrawals of less than two days will not receive a refund without a doctor’s note or supporting documentation. All withdrawals will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Program Cancellations
Programs offered by the MFRC may be cancelled due to insufficient registration. Every effort will be made to notify participants promptly and transfer or refund options will be provided. Register at least one week prior to your workshop or program start date to avoid disappointment.
Statutory Holidays
Unless otherwise noted, programs or workshops will not be offered on statutory holidays.
Child and Youth Development and Parenting Support
The MFRC supports parents in their care-giving role and provides opportunities for healthy development of children and youth. We offer a day care, playschool, out of school care, casual care and youth centre as well as programs for parents and children. Programs are designed to support positive child/adult interactions, enhance parenting and care-giving skills, and foster youth engagement in the community.
Deployment Support
Whether your family is gearing up for a deployment or work-related absence, you will find the resources to meet your needs here. The MFRC deployment team provides resources, programs, information & referrals to assist you and your family before, during and after a deployment or work-related absence. See more on pages 32-33.
Employment Assistance
Through information and referral, the MFRC can assist youth and adults from military and veteran families who are looking for employment, resume tips, and local resources. The MFRC collaborates with numerous agencies to ensure that families are matched with a service that is best able to meet their unique circumstance.
One-on-one sessions are available to gather initial information, provide job search options, and make referrals for more comprehensive employment services. Take-home resources for employment support, agencies, and post-secondary programs for the greater Edmonton area are available.
Ask us about Support Our Troops funding opportunities and the Military Spousal Employment Network (MSEN).
Mental Health and Wellness
The MFRC mental health & wellness team offers confidential parenting, relationship, personal and communication support to individuals, couples, families, and children of Canadian Armed Forces members as well as veterans. The team is comprised of a mental health team lead, family liaison officer, family support workers and youth worker. Contact one of our family support workers by visiting the MFRC during office hours, email intake@mfrcedmonton.com or by calling (780) 973-4011 ext. 6300 and asking for the intake worker.
Personal Development and Community Integration
Mobility is an inherent part of the military lifestyle. We are here to help you integrate into your new community and support your personal, family and community development. Services include: welcome and community orientation service, information and referral services, community outreach and development, employment referral, and second language services.
Special Needs Information and Referral
The MFRC offers confidential support, information and referral to individuals with disabilities as well as caregivers of children, youth, and adults with disabilities.
Set up a one-on-one session for a tailored list of resources and local/provincial support services to meet the unique needs of your family.
Services offered: • Assistance in applying for funding opportunities (including Support Our Troops funding support) • Information sessions • Networking opportunities • One-on-one sessions • Referrals to community agencies • Support and resources
Veteran Family Program
Releasing from the Canadian Armed Forces can be challenging for members and families, but even more so when the release is the result of a medical situation. When a Canadian Armed Forces member makes the transition from active service to veteran status, their family does too. The Veteran Family Program is here to help ease that transition by providing enhanced information and referral services and specialized transition programs.
The Veteran Family Program benefits medically releasing Canadian Armed Forces members, medically released Veterans, and their families by helping them navigate the complex process of releasing, the challenges that may arise, and the sometimes unexpected impact on the social, emotional, and financial wellbeing. Programs and services are always aimed to meet individual needs, and work towards finding solutions and support.
Connect with the MFRC to set up a one-on-one session and for a copy of the Veteran Family Journal.
MFRC Day Care & Out of School Care
The MFRC’s full-time licensed day care provides an inclusive, encouraging environment for children between the ages of 12 months and six years. The MFRC’s licensed out-of-school care program is run out of Guthrie School during the school year. The program provides an inclusive, enthusiastic atmosphere for children in grades one to six.
Families in Alberta are likely to encounter waiting lists while attempting to secure a place for their children. It is recommended that parents add their children to our wait list as soon as possible.
Phone or visit the MFRC reception to find out about fees and to add your children’s name(s) to the waitlist. Placement priority is given to children of CAF members.
MFRC Casual Care
Ages: Birth to 12 years The MFRC Casual Care program is available for children from birth to 12 years of age. The program provides children with opportunities to interact with their peers while expanding their abilities in all areas of development and allows parents to have time to relax, attend appointments, complete errands or volunteer with the MFRC.
Dates: At the time of publishing, the Casual Care program remains closed due to COVID-19 restrcitions. Register: Call 780-973-4011 ext. 6300 or sign up for our e-newsletter for updates on re-opening. Open to: Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) families are given priority but we welcome all families when space is available.
Child Care Registry Are you looking for a child care provider or babysitter?
If you would like to view the MFRC childcare registry list, please visit the MFRC in person or call 780-973-4011 ext. 6300. The MFRC also has resources and information to aid in the search for licensed childcare centres, day homes and out-of-school care programs.
Do you provide a childcare or day home service and are able to provide child care over a weekend, weekly or monthly basis while service members are
on exercise or deployed? If yes, we’d love to add you to our child care registry. To register, please come in person to the MFRC to pick up the application form. For more information call the MFRC at 780-973-4011 ext 6300.
Emergency Family Care Assistance (EFCA)
Does your family need to care for a family member in an emergency situation? As part of the Emergency Family Care Assistance (EFCA) Policy, military families may be eligible to access financial assistance to help offset costs associated with the care of a family member. Military families are encouraged to have a Family Care Plan (FCP) however emergencies can happen that prove too challenging for the FCP to accommodate. The EFCA aims to provide support for short-term emergencies when other lines of support provided by CAF, MFS and Director General Compensation and Benefits are insufficient. If you qualify for support, you will be connected with a local service provider. If you do not qualify, you will be directed to other possible support services.
How to Access Contact Edmonton MFRC during regular business hours and ask to speak to someone about emergency child care. A Family Support Worker will guide you through a series of questions to assess your eligibility for support under the EFCA policy. On weekends, weeknights or holidays, call the Family Information Line at 1-800-866-4546 and ask to speak to an emergency child care representative.
Reimbursement Depending on the situation, you may need to cover the cost of services up front then be later reimbursed. Reimbursements will be issued by either Military Family Services or your local MFRC, but not by both. There is no cost to military families for using these services.
Program duration The EFCA Policy was enacted to replace the Military Family Service Program Emergency Child Care Policy. The program is to help with the impacts of COVID-19 for both family needs and service delivery safety.
