Summary Questions and answers about the Veteran Family Program
Q1. What are the Military Family Resource Centres?
Military Family Resource Centres are arm's-length, independent not-for-profit organizations that provide a range of support services to Canadian Armed Forces members and their families. Military Family Resource Centres have 32 locations across Canada.
Services include:
- transition programs
- referral services
- intervention support
- advocacy.
Military Family Resource Centres provide programs and services that empower and encourage strong, independent individuals and families, and serve as the hubs of military communities.
Q2. What is the Veteran Family Program?
The Veteran Family Program supports the unique needs of medically-releasing Canadian Armed Forces members and medically-released Veterans, as well as their families. As of April 1, 2018, Veteran Family Program coordinators will help families make the transition to life after service by providing them with a suite of transition programs and services, and guiding them to information and resources in their communities.
Q3. Who can access the Veteran Family Program?
Medically-releasing Canadian Armed Forces members and medically-released Veterans, as well as their families, can access the Veteran Family Program at the 32 Military Family Resource Centres across Canada.
Q4. How do I apply for the Veteran Family Program?
There is no application needed for the Veteran Family Program. All you or your family need to do is visit your local Military Family Resource Centre and ask for the Veteran Family Program coordinator.
Q5. Are all Military Family Resource Centres included in the Veteran Family Program? Can I start going now?
Yes, all 32 Military Family Resource Centres are included in the Veteran Family Program. Access to the Military Family Resource Centres began on April 1, 2018. medically-releasing Canadian Armed Forces members and medically-released Veterans, as well as their families, have unlimited access to the Veteran Family Program.
Q6. I would like to benefit from the Military Family Resource Centres, but I live far away from the closest one. Can I access assistance remotely? Would Veterans Affairs Canada pay for my travel to visit a Military Family Resource Centre?
The Veteran Family Program may be accessed via:
- Walk-in: 32 Military Family Resource Centres
- Telephone: 24/7 bilingual Family Information Line (1-800-866-4546)
- Online: CAFconnection.ca
Veterans Affairs Canada does NOT cover the cost of travel to and from Military Family Resource Centres. medically-released Veterans and their family members who wish to access the Veteran Family Program are encouraged to contact their closest Military Family Resource Centres, the Family Information Line or CAFconnection.ca to find out about delivery methods for the Veteran Family Program.
Q7. What is CAFconnection.ca?
CAFconnection.ca is a website that connects Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans and their families with their local Military Family Resource Centre. It is being continuously updated with current information on resources, programs and services in your area.
Q8. What is the Family Information Line?
The Family Information Line is a 24 hour bilingual line where trained counsellors can offer information support, referrals, reassurance and crisis management.
Q9. Is there a time limit for my family and me to access a Military Family Resource Centre?
There is no time limit for Veterans who medically-released and their families.
Q10. Who will be my point of contact at a Military Family Resource Centre?
Veteran Family Program coordinators at the 32 Military Family Resource Centres will be your points of contact.
Q11. What is a Veteran Family Program coordinator?
Veteran Family Program coordinators arrange access to Veteran Family Program transition programs suited to the unique needs of medically-releasing Canadian Armed Forces members, medically-released Veterans and family members of these members and Veterans. Veteran Family Program coordinators also provide family members with guidance to information and resources within their communities to ease the transition of families from military to life after service.
Q12. Can Reservists and their families access the Veteran Family Program?
Yes, provided that the Reservist is medically-releasing or has been medically-released.
Q13. If a medically-released Veteran dies, can the Veteran's family continue to access the Veteran Family Program?
Yes.
Q14. How much is the Veteran Family Program expansion costing Veterans Affairs Canada?
The expansion of the Veteran Family Program from the seven original pilot sites to 32 Military Family Resource Centres across the country represents a commitment of $147 million over six years to Veterans and their families.