RCAF Family Sponsor Program Concept and Info Brief

RCAF Family Sponsor Program: Concept and Info Brief 29 Aug 2015 “Flying in Formation” 1 Canadian Air Division «Voler en formation» 1

Discussion Points • • • Program Vision Concept Building Community Current vs. Proposed Models Structure and Functionality Benefits Challenges What the Family Sponsor Program is NOT MFRC Role “Flying in Formation” «Voler en formation» 2

Program Vision • Unit-based, leadership driven peer support for families • Family-centric, community-based approach to communications, information and referral • Proactive vs. Reactive – Quickly resolve or avoid issues by improving connectivity • Enhanced Unit-level Family communication network • Increased Family Resiliency and Unit Morale • Inspired by USAF “Key Spouses” Program “Flying in Formation” «Voler en formation» 3

Concept • Every RCAF Unit/Sqn will recruit volunteer family mbrs willing to “sponsor” new families • Sponsors will: – Facilitate integration of family into both unit & local community – Provide local info and resources referrals relevant to family’s individual circumstances • Open communication b/w Unit Sponsor Coord & Comd Team to encourage info flow to families • Designed to allow for extension of sponsorship concept to include family deployment and/or separation support “Flying in Formation” 1 Canadian Air Division «Voler en formation» 4 4

Current Model Fam Sp Partners Family Member Community for Family Leadership/Chain of Command “Flying in Formation” «Voler en formation» 5

Family Sponsor Model Other CF Families Community for Member and Family Member Family Sponsor Leadership/Chain of Command Fam Sp Partners “Flying in Formation” «Voler en formation» 6

Structure and Functionality • Each Wing will have Military Fam Sponsor Coord who will assist with local Pgm oversight • Each Sqn/Unit will have a Mil Rep and Unit Fam Sponsor Coord (volunteer), as well as a corps of volunteer Fam Sponsors • Unit Fam Sponsor Coord will contact new families and offer “Fam Sponsor” within one week of receipt of posting message • Unit Fam Sponsor Coords will have direct line of communication with Command Team “Flying in Formation” «Voler en formation» 7

Structure and Functionality (Cont’d) • Families will be able to “Opt-out” at any time • Volunteers will receive initial Trg and annual refresher Trg (as required) • Trg material developed and provided by FST and delivered locally in partnership w/MFRCs “Flying in Formation” «Voler en formation» 8

Benefits • Improved posting experience/minimal family support challenges • Leadership Engagement Opportunity • Enhanced sense of belonging to RCAF/CAF Family • Improved connectivity with & between families • Enhanced awareness of and access to existing Fam Sp Pgms • Improved Local Needs Assessments • Enhanced Fam resiliency - help families support operational readiness/effectiveness of Mbr “Flying in Formation” «Voler en formation» 9

Challenges • Strong, Consistent Leadership Engagement Essential • Wing Level Coordination • High Quality Trg Materials – Up-to-date – Comprehensive – Relevant (nationally and locally) • Ongoing volunteer recruitment • Clear understanding of Sponsor roles and boundaries “Flying in Formation” «Voler en formation» 10

The Family Sponsor Program is NOT: • An “issued” or forced friend • Intended to provide answers or solutions to all your “posting in” problems • Designed to replace the valuable role of the MFRC and other Fam Sp partners • A crisis intervention service/help-line • A party planning committee • An exclusive club “Flying in Formation” 1 Canadian Air Division 11 «Voler en formation» 11

MFRC Roles • Identify MFRC POC for linkage with local Wing/Sqn/Unit Sponsor Coordinators • Actively participate in Fam Sponsor Trg sessions • Provide pertinent local Fam Sp information and/or materials • Assist with identification of suitable Trg space “Flying in Formation” «Voler en formation» 12

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