Family Care & Absences

1. sittercity.com
   Find local child, senior, and pet care providers that suit your families dynamics and needs.
2. militarychildcare.com (a DoD website)
   Find military-operated or military-approved child care programs worldwide, including before- and after-school care, as well as summer and holiday camps.

Strongest Families Institute

A Canadian based establishment offering evidence-based, bilingual, online mental health services for children/youth, adults, and their families, when and where they need them. Please contact one of our Family Counsellors for a referral. 

• Parents Empowering Kids (ages 3-12)
• Chase Worries Away (ages 6-11)
• Defeat Anxiety (ages 12-17)
• ICAN - Adult Anxiety (ages 18+)
• Chase Pain Away (ages 9-16)
• Dry Nights Ahead (ages 5-12)

Thrive

A DoD initiative created to build on parenting strengths you already have and develop new skills as your child grows and changes. Thrive is a free online program for busy parents like you that includes four universal, interactive parenting modules organized by age group.

• Take Root (ages 0-3)
• Sprout (ages 3-5)
• Grow (ages 5-10)
• Brand Out (ages 10-18)

Sesame Street for Military Families

For many years, colorful Sesame Street characters, like Elmo and Big Bird, have helped children learn while having fun. The DoD has drawn on these familiar friends to help children ages 2-6 through the milestones of moving, deployment, adjusting to new communities and more! 

Relocation Resources

Relocating your family is a challenging, exciting and busy time. We have developed the Hero in Training Activity Book, for children ages 6-8, to keep your kids occupied as you prepare for the move, travel, and settle your new home.

Work-related absence (WRA) encompasses a range of situations, including deployment, temporary duty (TDY), and frequent interval separations. Each work-related absence can vary, especially when stationed OUTCAN. Ensure the success of each phase by staying prepared and informed.

1. Military OneSource
   Although deployments may look a tad different for Canadians, Military OneSource has a plethora of information for service members and their loved ones that you have access to while posted OUTCAN. Here, you’ll find task checklists, resources, and articles to help you prepare for all phases of the deployment cycle.
2. Road to Mental Readiness
   Tailored for military families; here you'll find mental health strategies, resilience training, and support tools for managing stress before, during, and after deployment.
3. CFMWS Deployment Resources (INCAN-centric) 
   A mix of guidance and wellness advice, deployment-specific supports, and links to external resources to help CAF members and their families navigate the emotional, practical, and administrative aspects of deployment.

CAF members who are posted to Tinker, Oklahoma, or JBER, Alaska, and are assigned to an AWACS Squadron are the most likely to experience deployments while in the US. If you find yourself in this situation, please contact your local MFS Provider for information on the services available to you and your loved ones in these locations (Alaska | Oklahoma).