Edmonton Welcome Package
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WWelcomeelcome toto CFB Edmonton TThehe EdmontonEdmonton GarrisonGarrison MilitaryMilitary FFamilyamily RResourceesource CCentreentre (MFRC)(MFRC) supportssupports ourour militarymilitary ffamilies.amilies. Welcome to Edmonton Dear Military Member & Family: On behalf of the Edmonton Garrison Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC), I would like to take this opportunity to offi cially welcome you to your new home. I hope that you are settling well into your new community. If there is anything you need in order to ease your transition to living in the Edmonton area please do not hesitate to call, or come into the MFRC in person. We would like to off er you our help and support. The MFRC is here specifi cally for you. Our mission is to provide support and resources, programs and services for military families to meet the unique challenges of military life. In short, we are passionate about supporting you and your family! To fi nd out about the programs and services the MFRC has available for you and your family we recommend that you regularly visit the MFRC website at www.CAFconnection.ca/Edmonton. This is a great place to begin gathering information you may need to settle into your new life in the west! If you require access to a computer with Internet access, please come into the MFRC and make use of the free Computer Lab. In your Welcome Package you will fi nd various resources with helpful information for you and your family about the Edmonton Garrison and the Greater Edmonton Area. If you have any questions or concerns please call our reception desk at (780) 973-4011 ext. 6300. We look forward to meeting you and your family and providing you with a tour of our Centre. Sincerely, Roza Parlin Executive Director Table of Contents Welcome to Edmonton 2 Military Family Resource Centre 4-7 Base/Military Services 8-10 About Edmonton 11 Alberta Health Care 12-13 Driving 14 Education 15-17 Employment Resources 18 Francophone Resources 19 Living in Edmonton 20-29 Points of Interest 30-32 Moving Checklist 33-36 Quick Reference Phone List 37 Edmonton Garrison Maps 38-39 Military Family Resource Centre Edmonton Garrison Military Family Resource Centre Building 161 Phone: (780) 973-4011 ext. 6300 Mons Avenue & RR 244 Fax: (780) 973-1401 Lancaster Park, Alberta T0A 2H0 Email: [email protected] Web site: www.CAFconnection.ca/Edmonton MMilitaryilitary Families:Families: SStrengthtrength BBehindehind tthehe UUniformniform About Us The Edmonton Garrison Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) is a non-profi t society registered under the Alberta Society’s Act. The agency is also registered with Revenue Canada as a charitable organization. Edmonton is part of a national network of 32 MFRCs, providing mandated services and responding to community need through positive action, education and support. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of military spouses, CF members, and ex-offi cio members. Our MFRC depends on the talents and skills of these dedicated volunteers to make guiding decisions. Absences from family support systems, diffi culties during deployments, solo parenting or coping with an injury or loss are realities for military families: realities which can have a signifi cant impact on family well-being. For over 25 years, our Board of Directors, staff and volunteers have been committed to supporting military families as they navigate the many unique challenges of military life through programs and services that enhance the strength and resilience of military families. Our Mission The Edmonton Garrison Military Family Resource Centre supports military families as they navigate the unique challenges of military life through programs and services that enhance their strength and resilience. 4 Military Family Resource Centre TheT MFRC off ers programming in the following areas: CHILD AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND PARENTING SUPPORT The MFRC supports parents in their care-giving role and provides opportunities for healthy development of children and youth. We off er a Day Care, Playschool, Out of School Care, Casual Care and Youth Centre as well as programs for parents and children. Programs are designed to support positive child/adult interactions, enhance parenting and caregiving skills, and foster youth engagement in the community. Are you supporting a family member with a disability? See page 29 for Special Needs Information Referral. FAMILY SEPARATION AND REUNION Whether your family is preparing for your loved one’s deployment, temporary duty, extended course, unaccompanied posting, overseas missions or return home from deployment, you’ll fi nd the resources that your family needs here. The MFRC Deployment Support program provides resources, programs, events and support to CAF families prior to, during and after an absence. Registration for most Deployment programs will be open to all Defence Team families pending space availability. MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS If you are looking for parenting, relationship, personal or communication support, drop by or call us; we are here for you. Prevention, Support and Intervention (PSI) enhances the social and emotional well-being of CAF families. Military life presents unique challenges to families; our services will assist in the navigation of the programs and services available. They are designed to be preventive in nature, and can assist individuals and families in managing periods of high stress and crisis. We off er confi dential, short-term counselling and crisis support, as well as information and referral services. Furthermore, the program off ers access to education and preventive programming regarding many topics. Drop in or contact one of the PSI staff by dialing (780) 973-4011, ext. 6300 and ask for the intake worker Monday to Friday between the hours 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. If you require assistance after hours call the Family Information Line 1 (800) 866-4546. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION Mobility is an inherent part of the military lifestyle. We are here to help you integrate into your new community and support your personal, family and community development. Services include: Welcome and Community Orientation Service, Information and Referral Services, Community Outreach and Development and Second Language Services. VETERAN FAMILY SUPPORT - PILOT PROGRAM The Veteran Family Program is a four-year pilot program that provides services to medically-releasing CAF members. The Edmonton Garrison Military Family Resource Centre is one of the seven pilot sites off ering the Veteran Family Program to members and veterans who wish to access supports and services as they transition to civilian life. Who we serve: Medically-releasing CAF members and their families, Veterans who have medically released from the CAF (since 30 November 2014) and their families. The Veteran Family Program services include: Enhanced Information and Referral Services, Transition Programs and Access to Intervention Support. 5 Military Family Resource Centre The MFRC also off ers: Build-a-Bear Deployment Program Children of deployed parents may be eligible to receive a $15 gift certifi cate to a Build-a-Bear workshop. Many people like to put a voice recording in the teddy with a special message from the deployed parent. Having a special stuff ed friend to hug and being able to hear their deployed parent’s voice can help children keep mom or dad close to their heart throughout the deployment. To receive your free gift certifi cate please visit the MFRC front desk. Business Registry The MFRC Business Registry is a collection of small or home-based businesses run by members of the military community. Paid membership provides community members the opportunity for exposure within the Edmonton Garrison via our business board, website and Business Registry pamphlet. If you would like to have your business listed or for more information on the MFRC Business Registry phone the Community Development Coordinator at (780) 973-4011 ext. 2285. Community Coff ee Whether you are new to the Garrison or have been here forever, this drop-in monthly coff ee is a great opportunity for you to meet other military families, MFRC staff , volunteers and our partners. Join us for complimentary Tim Hortons coff ee and Timbits (generously donated by our Lancaster Park Tim Hortons), while getting to know others and fi nd out what is happening in your community. We hope to see you there! Computer Lab In order to better serve you the MFRC off ers free Internet access. There are four computers available with access to a printer. This service is off ered Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Supervised internet access is also available for teens at the Youth Centre. Language Services Language Services provides training, resources, information, services and activities to assist military families integrating into the community. We work with Francophone community agencies to research and develop programs based on the suggestions and needs of the community. Free second language training courses are off ered to military spouses in order to facilitate integration into their new community. Contact the Language Services Coordinator at (780) 973-4011 ext. 5081. Outreach We strive to connect with and be a resource to our military families living in outlying communities. If you live off the base and would like to connect with other military families in your community, or fi nd out about events, programs, resources and networking opportunities available in your area, please contact our Community Development Coordinator at (780) 973-4011 ext. 2285. 6 Military Family Resource Centre SpecialS Needs Support, Information and Referral TheT MFRC off ers support, information and referral to caregivers of children, youth and adults with disabilities. SupportS for individuals with disabilities is also off ered. A list of resources and local support services is available to meet the unique needs of each family. Services off ered: Information Sessions, Access to Support and Resources, Assistance in Obtaining Funding, Networking Opportunities, Referrals to Community Agencies.