Terra Firma Family Network
The Terra Firma Family Network Representatives are Alex and Sarah.
Email: Family Network Representative
24-Hour Info Line: 250-363-2640
Toll free: 1-800-353-3329
Download a Family Network Contact Form (in English, in French)
Is this group right for me? Check out the Family Network page for a description.
Deployment Respite Child Care Program
Free Respite Child Care (for children up to school age) is available through the MFRC for one continuous 3 hour period per week up to a maximum of 4 sessions per month when a military parent is deployed (or away for work related reasons) for 28 consecutive days or more (21 days for MCDV members). Punch Cards (available at the MFRC) are used to keep track for the period during which each family can access the program. Parents must complete registration forms and follow established guidelines. This program is provided through MFRC fundraising dollars. If you have unique child care needs, please contact us.
Mission Information Line (1–800–866–4546)
The Mission Information Line is a toll free, bilingual telephone service for families of Canadian military personnel serving an operational role outside of Canada. The purpose of this line is to provide families with timely and accurate information, reassurance, support and referral to other resources when required. The line is accessible 24 hours a day, however line personnel is available from 8 am – 12 midnight (Eastern) Monday - Friday, except on statutory holidays. This service is strictly confidential. The Mission Information Line is not a substitute to the Military Family Resource Centres, rather a supplement to their service.
ROTO 8, 9 & 10 Deployment Discussion Groups
Do you have a loved one serving in Afghanistan? Are you interested in meeting others whose family members are also deployed in that area? If so, you may be interested in this series of deployment discussion groups. Learn more about deployment and meet others who can understand your experience. Child care provided if booked in advance. Register at least 3 days in advance of each workshop by calling the MFRC at 250–363–2640.
1. The Afghanistan Experience
Come out and learn more about what military members experience when deployed to Afghanistan. Join military members, who have returned from deployment, as they conduct a presentation and remain on hand to answer any questions. Free childminding available if you RSVP by January 21. Call 250-363-2640 to register. This event is for friends and families of military members currently experiencing or soon to experience an Afghanistan deployment. Military members are also welcome. Light refreshments will be provided.
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Location: CPAC
Monday January 25
6:30 pm
2. Return and Reintegration
Military families have identified reunion as their most challenging time to manage. The MFRC invites you to an evening information session designed to address your needs and concerns about family reunion. Operational stress and the "battle ground" mindset can impact your reunion process. Having an understanding of the impact of transitioning from a theatre of war to every day life is essential for your entire family – including your returning loved one. This will include a showing of the Battlemind DVD, a highly acclaimed U.S. Army program used to help soldiers and families understand about adjustment post-tour. Discover useful techniques and tips to have a successful homecoming.
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Location: CPAC
Monday February 22
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Free
3. Preparing for Deployment and Dealing with Deployment
Before your partner/spouse deploys, make sure you are prepared. No matter how many deployments your family has experienced, this workshop can benefit you. Making sure you have all the checks in the box and understanding the emotional cycle of deployment will help you and your family prepare for your loved one’s upcoming absence. A flexible attitude will benefit you while dealing with your current deployment. We all cope differently when separated from our loved ones. Come on out and share what works for you and learn from others as we all share our best deployment coping strategies.
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Location: CPAC
Monday March 22
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Free
4. Making Connections
If you’ve moved around a bit, you’ve probably made new friends along the way, and lost touch with other friends. Were there other parents that you got together with through your children’s school; or couples that you got to know through your partner’s work; or friends that you made at your work? This workshop is about the challenges of making and keeping friends while living the military lifestyle and the importance of a strong network during a deployment.
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Location: CPAC
Monday April 26
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Free
5. Stress Busters
Stress is an individual response to a gap between resources and demands. Demands and resources can come from the individual and/or the environment. In order to manage stress, we have to take time to reflect on the situation that we are facing and identify what we can control and change in order to re-establish the equilibrium. In this workshop, we’ll look at some stress buster tools you can use during the deployment.
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Location: CPAC
Monday May 31
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Free
6. Transitions
Every time something changes in your life you undergo a period of transition, a period when you react and adjust emotionally to the new situation. Everyone manages transitions in their own way. By understanding the process of transition it will help you understand the emotions that you may experience and will provide meaning to you in order to find ways to adjust to this change.
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Location: CPAC
Monday June 28
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Free
ROTO 9 and 10 Pre-Deployment Information Sessions
Are you preparing to deploy to Afghanistan in 2010? Having all of the information for yourself and your loved ones before you leave can assist in making your transition to theatre smoother not only for yourself but also for those that care for you. Has your military member already deployed? This session is for you as well. Join representatives from the Base Orderly Room (BOR), Judge Advocate General (AJAG), Base Hospital (CF Health Svcs), Fleet Mail Office (FMO), Padre’s Office and the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) for an information briefing. Free child care will be provided onsite. Pre-registration for all participants is required by calling the MFRC at 250–363–2640 at least five days before the session.
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Location: CPAC
Wednesday February 10
6:30 – 8:45 pm
Free
Video-teleconferencing
You and your family can benefit from video-teleconferencing with your deployed loved one. Our Tamberg - an electronic visual communications system - allows you to link up with your loved one deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan for a face-to face chat. 
Ask your deployed loved one to register a time slot through the PSP office on the Base in Afghanistan and, once notified, we'll contact you to make the appointment. Average "calls" are 30 minutes in length. There is no limit to the number of sessions a member can have during a deployment. We welcome all interested participants to visit us at our CPAC location to check it out. Contact us for details.