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Making the Most of the Moving Experience

Moving children from school to school can come with many uncertainties for Canadian Forces (CF) families preparing for moves across the country and around the world.

Questions, questions and more questions. Will the new school teach in the children’s first language? Will the children be behind in their new classes and need tutoring? Will special education classes be available? Will high school students meet all the requirements for college or university?

Fortunately for CF families, Dependent Education Management (DEM) can help families find the answers. DEM manages the education, compensation and benefits programs for CF personnel’s dependent children. As a part of its Enhancement Initiatives, Director Military Family Services is pleased to begin a new partnership with DEM to help families make the most of the education services available for their children.

To foster partnering between DEM and Canadian/Military Family Resource Centres (C/MFRCs), Director DEM Don Ferguson encourages all C/MFRC staff to visit DEM’s newly updated website and inform parents about the resources available there.

“C/MFRCs are a valuable, informative resource for CF families, and we hope they can help refer families to DEM,” Don says. “Our website is there to help parents get informed, get involved and plan ahead to ensure a smooth education transition.”

DEM’s new website provides a wealth of information and assistance on changing schools within Canada and abroad. From moving tips and general advice to detailed checklists of necessary school documents, DEM strives to help parents stay on top of the education transition process.

“Overall, I think the vast majority of families handle the transition extremely well,” notes Don. “We are here to answer questions and provide assistance to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. “We're always looking out for military children, to make sure they don't slip through the cracks.”

In addition to a mandatory screening process that DEM performs for families moving out of country, DEM’s website provides further information on international schools. For families moving within Canada, the site outlines the process for receiving education allowances and benefits, gives comprehensive information and links for schools in every province and territory, and provides screening information for special education options in isolated and semi-isolated postings.

With the right information and preparation, Don says families rarely encounter unsolvable problems. Though the first big move can be especially stressful for families, once over that initial hurdle it gets easier. Time and time again, Don sees what a positive experience moving can be for families with children. He firmly believes that challenging children by placing them in unfamiliar situations leads to great personal growth.

“It’s important that families celebrate the positive. Change brings new experiences, new learning and new challenges to master,” he says. “Schools play an important role in helping students, especially new students, build resilience.

“A resilient child will, by and large, have a go at new things more readily, persist when things get tough, survive and achieve.”

To learn more about DEM, Google “Dependent Education Management” or click here.