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Valcartier Family Centre expertise impresses European visitors
by Philippe Brassard, Adsum Newspaper
Visiting Valcartier from 4-8 October 2010, twelve delegates from Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom were impressed by the military family support services expertise developed by the Valcartier Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC), which they plan on emulating.
“I was really blown away by what I saw at the Valcartier MFRC; it’s unique in the world,” stated Andreas Philipsson, Director of the Swedish Soldiers’ Home Association Military Family Support Organisation. “We’ve compared the programs of various countries over the past two years and, though many have interesting programs, the level of military family support we’ve observed here is in a class all of its own.”
For one week, the European delegation was immersed in the MFRC universe, participating in conferences and discussions covering all facets of the organisation. They even spent a day in Trois-Rivières to observe the support offered in the region.
“We tried to impart to them as much of our knowledge as possible,” said Marie-Claude Michaud, Valcartier MFRC Executive Director, who mentioned that this visit was a follow-up to a presentation she delivered at an international conference in Sweden in 2009. “They were surprised at the extent and quality of our services and the relationships we have established with the chain of command, as an independent organization, but also as a front-line partner.”
In addition to local presentations, the Director Military Family Services Field Operations Manager Luc Girard and Director Celine Thompson were on hand to meet with the delegates. Ms Thompson also gave a presentation on the Military Family Services Program (MFSP) from the national perspective.
“It was a pleasure to join the Valcartier MFRC for this unique opportunity to showcase our family services,” said Thompson. “With almost 20 years behind us, Canada’s MFSP has grown into a unique, effective, and responsive Program. I was happy to share our experiences, and to learn more about how family services are developing in Europe.”
Represented by its eight delegates, Sweden has only been developing its military family support program over the past three years; a lot of work remains to be done. “The Valcartier MFRC is at least 15 years ahead of us,” admits Philipsson. Meanwhile, Scandinavian countries are increasing the number of troops in Afghanistan, which has over 600 military personnel deployed.
Given this situation, Philipsson believes “it is extremely important” to work with the Valcartier MFRC and with other countries. “It is a source of inspiration and concrete ideas of what works and what doesn’t. We are now better prepared to think as a small organization in order to grow,” he added.
He was particularly impressed with the mutual respect and “close collaboration” between the Valcartier MFRC and the chain of command of the Land Forces Quebec Area. “The Valcartier MFRC has demonstrated that an organization outside of the chain of command can work effectively with relatively little resources,” stated Philipsson, who had nothing but positive things to say about the services offered.
An inspiring model
The Swedish delegates hope to adapt the Valcartier MFRC model to their country’s system, over time and on a smaller scale. “We will set up family centres in the larger garrisons throughout Sweden, which will then be coordinated from Stockholm,” said Philipsson, who has already identified two priorities for the Swedish program: better pre-deployment preparation for families and post-deployment support related to operational stress issues.
Thrilled with the long-distance impact of her organization, Marie-Claude Michaud points out that the needs of military families are almost the same in every country. “We all have troops deployed throughout the world, families that are dealing with the absence of a loved-one and worries,” stresses the executive director.
It is her belief that, since the Valcartier MFRC has developed this program, it is only logical to share this universal knowledge, so that other countries need not “reinvent the wheel”. By the same token, this cooperation allows us all to move forward, and this is why an international work committee may eventually be created.
