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Education Group Talks Representation and Funding for Families

The Canadian Forces (CF) Family Education Advisory Committee and Working Group met on October 23 and 24 in Ottawa to exchange ideas for enhancing education services for military families. With their spirited but focused discussion, this group selected a few key initiatives as their main priorities, and will expand on their ideas as they continue to meet over the next several months.

The effort to find solutions for family education issues began at the CF Family Services Summit in May. The Advisory Committee and Working Group are now meeting to take the ideas raised at the Summit and craft them into more concrete recommendations for the Director Military Family Services (DMFS).

The group drew upon examples from their various roles as students, educators, spouses and parents of CF families to give weight to their discussions. They reasoned that if they’ve had a hard time navigating the education services available for themselves and their children, then so must other CF families.

“I think that the resolution of specific cases can have wide implications,” commented one meeting attendee. “If I use the example of my 10-year-old having a hard time learning French, then more families come forward with the same problem, and we know that there are even more who don’t come forward at all. Our problems are illustrations of a bigger problem.”

As the meeting progressed, participants found themselves honing in on one central recommendation they thought would address many key education issues.

The education group recommended the standardization of national resources for education services. These resources would help families transition from one education system to another upon relocation. Families would have access to a support system centred on a strong knowledge of the local province’s education system, great client skills, an understanding of local education politics and policies, and building local and national partnerships throughout the education community.

The group suggested that military spouses, especially, would benefit from having supportive resources to help them navigate new college, university or professional training programs.

“Unfortunately, at times some military wives at home feel that they don’t have the opportunity to go back to school,” explained one CF spouse. The group felt that having more standardized resources available could make going back to school a more viable option.

The group also brainstormed ways to make education more financially accessible for military spouses and children. They recommended taking an inventory of what financial support is currently available for military families, and increasing the availability and awareness of these services. Gaining easier access to scholarships, funding, bursaries and low-interest loan programs in partnership with local colleges and universities would be beneficial for families.

Whether discussing ideas large or small, the education group felt confident that their recommendations will enhance the lives of CF families. As one participant noted, “Each little item that we address will make a big difference for the mobility and employability of the military family.”