DMFS

• DMFS Update
• About Us
• MFRC Board Orientation and Training Kit
• In Focus
• MFSP eBusiness Centre
• Resources for C/MFRCs
  • Second Language Training Resources
  • Deployment Support Database
  • Family Violence Prevention Resource Database
  • MFSP Participant Survey
  • Family Violence Prevention and Awareness Campaign
  • Policies and Standards
  • Research
  • Publications
  • Forms
• C/MFRC Contact List
• Links
• Contact Us

Military Personnel Command (MILPERSCOM) Transformation Initiatives

28 March 2008 - In addition to the transformation of Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency and Directorate Military Family Services (DMFS) announced at reference, Chief Military Personnel (CMP) has also identified the requirement to transform military family services.

After a recent meeting with CMP and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the mission DMFS has been charged with is clear: enhance family support and family services by building on the strengths of the Canadian/Military Family Resource Centres (C/MFRCs).
To accomplish this aim, there is a requirement to rely on the expertise of significant stakeholders.  Preliminary consultations with Base/ Wing Commanders, C/MFRCs, and Environmental Chiefs of Staff representatives have been or are currently being undertaken.  To further the process more formal consultation and deliberation is now required.

To that end, CMP and Director General Personnel and Family Support Services will be inviting the C/MFRC leadership, Environmental Chiefs of Staff representatives, and Base/Wing Commanders and Base Chief Warrant Officers/Chief Petty Officers (or their designates) to a Summit to be held on 23 - 26 May 2008 in Toronto, Ontario.  The agenda of the Summit will be based on the results of the preliminary consultations.

The agenda, along with joining instructions, will be forwarded within the next month.  In the interim, however, addressees are asked to consider appropriate attendees and to block off the dates in question.  For planning purposes, MFRC Boards of Directors are advised that they will receive invitations for three of their membership, as well as the Executive Director, to attend.  CMFRCs will be advised separately regarding their participation.

CMP and CDS are providing an important opportunity to enhance services and support to families.  Your contributions to this undertaking are extremely valuable, and will ensure that the Military Family Services Program continues to strive toward its vision: Confident, capable and resilient families in a supportive Canadian Forces community.

13 February 2008 -As some Canadian/Military Family Resource Centre (C/MFRC) staff and volunteers may already be aware, Chief Military Personnel (CMP) has undertaken a number of transformation initiatives since assuming Command. It is expected in the near future that these initiatives will have an impact on Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA), as well as Director Military Family Services (DMFS).

Although the transformation initiatives are not finalized or fully developed at writing, this preliminary correspondence is intended to relay what is known or can be reasonably anticipated thus far. Please keep in mind however that as the transformation objectives continue to be realized, it is possible that some elements of information relayed may potentially change again over time. To the extent possible, DMFS is committed to updating C/MFRCs as these changes evolve.

It is expected that effective 1 April 2008 CFPSA will be renamed and reorganized. The new name proposed for the organization is Director General Personnel and Family Support Services (DGPFSS). To reflect CMP's intent to have singular lines of accountability and authority, the role of the organization will expand to include responsibility for Director Casualty Support and Administration (DCSA), as well as responsibility for elements of the current Director Quality of Life (DQOL).

In response to CMP's renewed emphasis on family services and support, it is anticipated that DMFS' responsibility and authority will also expand by 1 April 2008. To that end, the responsibility for CF family policy will be reinvested within DMFS; it is planned that DQOL family policy staff will join the DMFS team to capitalize on the strengths of both.

Although change can create a level of uncertainty and a temporary bit of organizational chaos, DMFS looks forward to the changes proposed. Over time, it will streamline our effort and will allow us to move forward with clearer intent and to better effect. In our view, the ultimate beneficiaries will be the families and communities we collectively serve.