Welcome Information Booklet
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Welcome Information Booklet CFB Suffield Military Family Resource Centre P.O. Box 190, Bldg R35 Dugway Drive Ralston, Alberta T0J 2N0 403-544-5567 [email protected] Edition 2018/19 Attention Francophones! Si vous désirez de l’information dans notre livret informatique traduit en Français, vous êtes prié de téléphoner au Centre de ressources des familles militaires (CRFM) en signalant le 403-544-5567. Nous serons heureux de vous donner Resources other than MFRC programs and services herein are provided for your convenience and are not endorsed or recommended by the MFRC. Every reader must determine through their own means the suitability of the person or services listed in this publication. Table of Contents SMFRC: Executive Director’s Welcome……………………………………………….…….3 SMFRC: Privacy / Why we exist………...…………………………………………………….. 4 SMFRC: Contact Information …………………………………………………………….…….5 SMFRC: Information & Education/Awareness………………………………………..6 Welcome and Orientation…………………………………………………..6 Information and Referral………………….……………………….…….6 SMFRC: Referral and Support/Services……….…………………………………………..7 Second Language Services…………………….….…………..…………..7 Employment and Education Assistance……………….…………..7-8 Volunteer Leadership………………………………………………………..9 Child and Youth services and programming……………………10-11 Kiddie Kare……………………..10 Youth Centre………….………11 Summer .Camp……………...11 Deployment………………………….………………………………….….…….12 Veteran Family Program……………………………………………….13 SMFRC: Intervention …………………………………………………………………………………14 Counselling and Crisis Support….……………………………………….14 Emergency Childcare……………………….………………………………….14 Family Care Plan………………………………………………………………….15 Page 1 Table of Contents PSP: Fitness, Sports, and Recreation…………………………...……….…...16-17 Housing: Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA)……………………...…..18 Utilities……………………………………………………………………….………….18 Real Estate, Rental Agencies …………………………………………….18 Education: Ralston, Redcliff, Medicine Hat…………………………………….…….19 Chartered, Private, and Francophone Schools…………………..20 Post Secondary Education……………………………………………………..21 Childcare: Day Homes, Day Care……………………………………………………….…..22 HealthCare: Physicians, walk-ins, Dentists ………………………………………….....23 Pets: Veterinarian Clinics, Kennel Services, By-laws ……………...….24-26 Driver and Vehicle Services:………………………………………………………………………...27-28 Banking Services…………………………………………………………………………………………...29 Public Transport: .………………………………………………………………………………………….30 French Resources in Alberta………………………………………………………………………...31 Newcomers Resources and Websites…………………………………………………………..32-33 Page 2 Suffield Military Family Resource Centre (SMFRC) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S WELCOME On behalf of all staff, Board of Directors, and Volunteers at the Military Family Resource Centre, we would like to say hello and welcome to the CFB Suffield MFRC. Located 50 kms west of Medicine Hat in the heart of the open prairies, CFB Suffield is one of the largest training areas in the world. In addition to our Canadian Forces personnel, the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) and Defense Research Development Canada Suffield (DRDCS), are lodger units, which help make up the diverse community we are proud to serve. The Village of Ralston (in which the PMQ's are located) is 3 kms south of the base on Highway 884 and is one of the best-serviced communities in the country. The Military Family Resource Centre is a well-established service provider in the community and offers a diverse range of programs and services to all our families. All MFRC’s across Canada, offer universally mandated programs as well as community identified programs. Apart from all of the services that the MFRC offers to the community, there are numerous other activities, services and clubs available to you. Particularly, Personnel Support Programs (PSP) as they provide a broad range of recreation, clubs, and sporting activities for all levels of fitness. Likewise, the community has a full library with Internet access, a local CANEX Express Mart, outdoor play structures, Skateboard Park and a water park for children. Medicine Hat is the closest urban center to CFB Suffield and boasts all the amenities of most large cities. Schools, shopping mall, cultural and recreational facilities, historical sites, camping, fishing, and many parks to choose from, are all located within a short drive. There is so much to do and many opportunities available to make your time here enjoyable. Drop in say hello and we will be happy to assist you and your family in settling into the place we like to think of as the "best kept secret in the Canadian Military"! Leila Phillips, BSW, MA, RSW Executive Director, CFB Suffield MFRC Page 3 Suffield Military Family Resource Centre (SMFRC) MILITARY FAMILY SERVICES PRIVACY CODE The Suffield MFRC adheres to the Military Family Services Privacy Code which was developed from the Canadian Standards Association Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information. Any personal information that you and your family provide the MFRC will be treated in confidence and will not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with the consent of the individual or required by law. If you would like more information about the MFRC Privacy Code, you are welcome to contact us at the SMFRC anytime during hours of operations. Board of Directors MFRC Staff CFB Suffield MFRC WHY WE EXIST Who are we This Military Family Resource Centre is operated on behalf of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces by: Suffield Military Family Resource Centre Inc. which is a Not-for Profit Organization Incorporated under the Laws and Regulations of the Province of Alberta. The majority of the Members of the Board of the Directors of Suffield Military Family Resource Centre Inc. must be spouses of military members. Mission statement To provide a responsive and collaborative service delivery for our military families. Organisational Goal Our goal is to enable families to become full participating members of the community through the provision of programs and services. Page 4 Suffield Military Family Resource Centre (SMFRC) Hours of Operation / Contact Monday 7:30-12:00am 12:30-4:00pm Tuesday 7:30-12:00am 12:30-4:00pm Wednesday 7:30-12:00am 12:30-5:00pm Thursday 7:30-12:00am 12:30-4:00pm Friday 7:30-12:00am 12:30-2:00pm Phone: 403-544-5567 (Days and hours of operation may vary) E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.CAFconnection.ca/suffield Your MFRC will… Only collect the minimum information necessary to run our programs in a safe and user-friendly manner Will inform you in advance if your information will be passed on to a third party and for what purpose You will be entitled to… View any information the MFRC holds about you and your children and amend as necessary View the complete policy at the MFRC Address any concerns about this information with the Executive Director. Page 5 Suffield Military Family Resource Centre (SMFRC) MFRC PROGRAMMING INFORMATION AND EDUCATION/AWARENESS Frequent relocations are a reality of military life and may contribute to a sense of isolation and lack of connections with a community. To enhance military families’ quality of life the following programs promote and facilitate personal, family, and community development. Information & Referral / Welcome & Community Orientation Regardless of where you choose to live (Ralston, Medicine Hat, Redcliff etc.), we are here to assist you make the transition to your new community as smooth as possible. We hand out an information package to families when they visit the mFRC and arrange a welcome visit a week or two after their arrival . If you have recently become a part of our military community and have not yet heard from us, please do not hesitate to call us. Posting information may not always reach us and we don’t want to leave anyone out. After we’ve had the opportunity to welcome you into the community, we will follow-up with a you just to make sure that you are settling into your new posting. Meet and Greet Events are every other month, January, March, May, July, September and November. We encourage all newcomers to attend these events as a great way to meet new families and make new connections. These events are held in both Ralston and Medicine Hat for your convenience. Whether, you’ve just arrived or you’re a long time resident, we encourage you to contact the Information & Referral Coordinator with any questions or concerns you might have. Here are some of the services that the Information & Referral / Welcome & Community Orientation program offers… Agency and Program Promotion Newsletter and Information Distribution Referrals Newcomers Meet ‘n’ Greet Welcome Visit for all new families Link families to Military/Civilian Programs and Services Translation into French upon request Page 6 Suffield Military Family Resource Centre (SMFRC) REFERRAL AND SUPPORTS/SERVICES Second Language Services Do you want to learn French or English? The MFRC have Rosetta Stone Licences for CAF spouses. Stop by the MFRC for further information. Employment and Education Assistance You and your family face many unique stressors associated with the military lifestyle which may affect your ability to find or maintain employment and/or pursue a career. Together, we can address employment and career-related issues, find employment, or upgrade skills. We look forward to hearing from you, and helping you in your search for employment. Here are some of the services that the Employment and Education Assistance program offers… Resume