by Richard Janecky
(Former CFPSA NPF employee Communications Coordinator)

Last fall, as Canada's warships raised anchor and CF transport planes taxied towards their runways in support of Canada's contribution in the fight against global terrorism, more than 2,000 CF families were coming to grips with their own struggle - the daunting task of "getting on with life" without their husbands, wives, parents and children.

After seeing loved ones off at CF docks and airstrips, families returned home to a profoundly different reality. Spouses can feel overwhelmed caring for children and managing the household on their own, and children can often feel sad, lonely, and resentful for not having their Mom or Dad around when they need them most.

Fortunately, the CF recognizes the pressures families face when dealing with deployment, and over the last 15 years has moved to strengthen CF communities with the establishment of non-profit Military Family Resource Centres (MFRC) at most CF locations across Canada and around the world. MFRCs operate under the guidance of the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency's (CFPSA) Directorate of Military Family Services (DMFS). Since their inception, they have been the focal point for CF families learning to cope with the constraints of military life.

"Supporting families as they deal with deployment is a primary role for MFRCs," says Eva Marks MacIsaac, a regional representative with DMFS. "The centres allow CF members to focus on their jobs and not worry as much about how their families are coping without them."

Preparing for Operation Apollo, and the CF's urgency in getting 1,500 troops from the Atlantic region deployed as soon as possible, put many MFRCs to the test. Close to 5,000 calls were received at Nova Scotia MFRCs in the first four days, and volunteers and staff logged over 600 hours in overtime.

For most CF operations, families get as much as two months to prepare. With Operation Apollo some members were lucky to get two weeks.

Staff and volunteers continue to establish networks based on every unit deployed from their bases. Equipped with comprehensive databases, volunteers make sure that every family is contacted at least once during deployment.

The MFRCs also worked closely with the CF in the Departure Assistance Group (DAG) process. Once a military exercise to ensure that CF members had all their shots, equipment checked and paperwork up to date, DAGs have evolved to include the needs of the family as well as the CF member.

MFRCs in Atlantic Canada were in high gear assisting the families of soldiers serving in Afghanistan; it's nice to know there was somewhere to turn.