WelcomeBienvenue Veteran Transition Support 28 to 30 September

Welcome/Bienvenue Veteran Transition Support 28 to 30 September 2015 Cornwall, Ontario

Agenda for 28 September 2015 TIMING 1300 -1445 - 1500 -1600 TOPIC Welcome Transition from Military to Civilian Life Break Joint Personnel Support Unit (JPSU) FACILITATOR (S) Louise Suzanne Nault Dave Mc. Leod * An evening session has been reserved for the 7 pilot location and members of the Working Group from 1900 to 2100 hrs in Room F 140

Agenda for 29 September 2015 TIMING 0800 - 0900 - 1000 - 1015 -1130 – 1200 – 1300 – 1430 – 1500 – 1515 – 1600 – 1700 TOPIC Veteran Family Program Introduction Veterans Affairs Canada BREAK Veterans Affairs Canada Family Information Line LUNCH SISSIP Financial Legion BREAK Employment & Entrepreneurial Program (MFS) OSISS FACILITATOR (S) Louise Mirjana Adzija Robyn Gill Alain Doucet/Suzanne Ramsey Ray Mc Innis Katie Ochin Pierre Patry

Agenda for 30 September 2015 TIMING 0800 - 0900 - 1030 - 1045 - 1230 TOPIC Recap from Previous Day Veteran Family Program discussion continues Break Sharing of Best Practices FACILITATOR (S) Louise Open to All

Veteran Family Program Introduction Background • The Government of Canada and Veterans Affairs Canada have invested $10. 1 million in a fouryear pilot project to provide medically releasing Veterans and their families with access to the Military Family Support Program (MFSP) from 01 October 2015 to 30 September 2019. • The Veteran Family pilot initiative will include access to seven Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC). These sites are located in Esquimalt, Edmonton, North Bay, Trenton, Shilo, Valcartier and Halifax. • The MFRCs, as well as the Family Information Line and familyforce. ca website, will be open to medically releasing personnel and their families for the duration of the pilot project. Support services will include welcome and community orientation sessions, parenting workshops, child care, outreach, information and referral, personal growth and development programming, employment and educational assistance. These services have traditionally been available only to still-serving members of the CAF.

Research Results Military Family Services 1. The Needs of Medically Releasing CAF Personnel and their Families – A literature Review 2. The Needs of Medically Releasing CAF Personnel and their Families – MFRC Environmental Scan and Subject Matter Expect Survey Result 1. Research Priorities • Tailor services using the injury recovery trajectory; • Use existing evidence-based strategies including family education on the injury/illness and recovery process, family care management, emotion regulation skills development, injury communication training, and development of problemsolving and shared goals; • Train and evaluate clinicians in these evidence-based strategies; • Understand support community provider capacity; and • Research the full constellation of Canadian military families to ensure services match the needs of all families, not just traditional nuclear families. 2. Research Priorities • Develop resources for families and MFRCs that describe the transition process and key timelines, and compile all services and benefits available; • Incorporate informal consultations with families to verify needs and supports; • Implement evidence-based strategies, and simultaneously evaluate MFRC-developed programs to assess evidence of effectiveness; • Build on currently successful projects (e. g. FOCUS-CI, OSISS, Good to Go, YPET, E=MC 3; i. STEP); and • Develop consistent tracking processes and mechanisms to contribute greatly to the overall knowledge base of Canadian military families and services that also upholds all privacy and client confidentiality requirements and standards.

Demographics • From 2006 to 2011 a total of 8, 026 CAF members medically released (Source: Office of the Auditor General of Canada, 2012) • In 2013 there were 1, 190 Reg Force members and 276 Reserve members that medically released (Source: Canada News Centre, Government of Canada, 2014) • Currently: 1, 200 CAF members, 700 spouses and 850 children. These stats do not include parents, siblings, BF/GF who may provide direct support • 70% of these members have a family with 1. 2 children under the age of 18 • 50% of which have a permanent physical injury • 50% have psychological limitations

Veteran Family Program • Program launch date: 01 October 2015 • 7 pilot locations: Esquimalt, Edmonton, Shilo, North Bay, Trenton, Valcartier, Halifax • Medically releasing Veterans and their families will have access to a familiar network of family support during transition and for a period of up to 2 years from the date of release from the CAF • Support medically released members and their families effectively prepare for and transition into civilian life by: • Providing enhanced information and referral services • Offer transition programs • Provide access to intervention support services

Veteran Family Programs and Services • • Working Group consists of 17 MFRC staff members (including the 7 pilot locations) will help shape the VFP Local programs at MFRCs will focus on enhanced information and referral, workshops/sessions, community referrals/partnerships, outreach support, access to child care Current programs that will be available for all 7 locations: • Living Life to the Full • Bounce Back • FOCUS • Caregiver Modules Programs under consideration for all 7 locations: • Employment • Family SCAN/Med SCAN • Access to family physician

Veteran Family Program 7 Pilot Locations • Dedicated position “Veteran Family Coordinator” • Works with the FLO to provide support during the transition to civilian life and offer MFSP suite of services All other MFRC • Pre-release phase once official notice of release has been received • Enhanced Info and Referral and prevention services

Veteran Family Program What if? • A transitioning member is seeking services outside of the 7 pilot locations (at other MFRCs)? • A Veteran and/or family member who has been released beyond the pilot project timeline is seeking support services? • A “friend” is seeking advice for information on how to better support the Veteran and/or family member? What other “What If’s” scenarios may happen?

Questions?