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Land Force Western Area Deployment Support Group Providing Family Support

Land Force Western Area will standup a new organization on January 14, 2008 called the Deployment Support Group. Permanently staffed and singularly focused on family support, this proactive, responsive organization will be capable of providing enhanced services for all of our families, wherever they reside within Canada.

The impact on our families from prolonged and repeated separations, whether regular, reserve or civilian members of the Defence Team can cause emotional and social problems within our military community. A more pragmatic and efficient approach to services and support for our families must be undertaken to ensure involvement of the chain of command, unity of effort and a common standard of response and support.

The Deployment Support Group will deliver standardized, efficient high-quality service for families of Regular and Reserve Force members, and civilian employees in situations of prolonged deployment or separation. This support is a Land Force Western Area priority. It will create an effective network linking families to the chain of command and providing a personalized and confidential service.

All Deployments Included
These separations include not only overseas deployments but temporary duty, courses, field exercises, restricted postings and domestic operations. Our major overseas deployments now involve augmentation from virtually all commands, areas and regions of Canada placing significant stress and competing demands upon remaining personnel and resources.

There is no doubt that the future tempo of operational requirements will be any less demanding as they are today. We have seen demonstrated repeatedly the unbelievable strength, compassion and support from our families during many difficult times these past years and no effort will be spared in supporting them now

Deployment Support Centres
In partnership with and responsive to all Brigade Formations, Units and Military Family Resource Centres within Land Force Western Area, two regionally focused Deployment Support Centres will be established in Edmonton and Shilo.

The Deployment Support Centres will be co-located with the Military Family Resource Centres. They will act as centralized points of contact where a number of activities and functions will be coordinated and performed in support of families going through separations due to deployments or periods of long absence.

24/7 Support
The Deployment Support Centers will operate 24 / 7 throughout the year and provide two forms of service. As an information source, the centers will ensure monthly contacts with families.

To contact the Deployment Support Centres, a toll free number will be established for use anywhere within North America.Trained staff can respond to questions, inquires or problems.

For those families within the regional area of Edmonton or Shilo, a drop in center and counter service will also be provided to assist them.

The second form of service is in response to the need of specialized support for either internal military or external civilian agencies.The Deployment Support Centre will act as a referral provider to ensure the family receives the service and support needed.

The following will be effective January 14, 2008

Toll Free Number: 1-888-711-5533

Website: www.army.forces.gc.ca/lfwa-dsg