Occasional Care - A Child Care Option for Military Families

Halifax and Shearwater sites, H&R MFRC

At the national level, Military Family Services (MFS) is modernizing their approach to support and services to military and Veteran families. As part of this process, the H&R MFRC is reviewing our programs and services to ensure they align with MFS. We must ensure that services are sustainable, address the evolving needs of families, and are tailored to address the three challenges of living the military lifestyle (Relocation, Absences, and Transitions).

Child care options (outside of licensed child care centres) are in demand. As such, one of our priorities is to offer military families alternative child care. We have consolidated Casual Care and Deployment Respite Care, and are introducing this new option as Occasional Care.

WHAT IS OCCASIONAL CARE

Occasional Care is a service offered at a reduced cost for families, due to generous donations from local organizations. This service is available for families who experience challenges due to relocation, absences, and/or transitions. Families can book a space and use the service to:

• Attend a job interview.
• Meet with the H&R MFRC Employment Counsellor.
• Take time for self-care.
• Attend appointments when experiencing deployment, training, or IR.
• Unpack your home after relocating.
• Attend an appointment with an H&R MFRC Family & Well-Being Counsellor or Family Liaison Coordinator.
• Meet with the H&R MFRC Relocation & Veteran Family Coordinator.

START DATE & SCHEDULE

This service will begin on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, with the following sessions available*.

Shearwater Site: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday mornings from 9am – 12pm. 

Saturdays: Alternating between Halifax and Shearwater sites from 9am – 12pm.

Ages: 18 months to 12 years.

*As part of our COVID reopening plan, Occasional Care will return gradually. We will add additional afternoon and Halifax site sessions as more staffing resources become available.

COST

All sessions are three hours at a cost of $15/child per session.

REGISTRATION

This service is not provincially licensed and follows provincial requirements for unlicensed child care, which prohibits more than six children enrolled per session. To ensure fair and reasonable access, families must register in advance. Pre-booking is limited to a maximum of two sessions/week (Saturday to Friday) per family. Families can register up to 30 days prior to the session or at least 24 hours prior to the session. Should a family wish to cancel, they must do so at least 24 hours prior to the session. No refunds will be given for sessions cancelled by the family.

To register, families must use our online registration system. Payment in full is required at the time of booking. Payments is done using a secure, third-party administrator, and accepts VISA, Mastercard, and Discover.

The H&R MFRC reserves the right to cancel this service at any time. Should this occur, families affected by this will be contacted and will receive a refund.

ADDITIONAL CHILD CARE OPTIONS

In addition to Occasion Care, military families may qualify for the following child care options.

Relocation Child Care (children 18 months to 12 years) is available to relocating families who need to unpack. It can be accessed up to a maximum of two full days a week (9am – 12 pm & 1-4pm).

Emergency Family Care Assistance (through Military Family Services) Through the Military Family Services Program (MFSP), Emergency Family Care Assistance (formerly called Emergency Childcare) provides military families support with emergency care for a dependent family member. There is an established criteria for eligibility. If you require support, please contact us: 902-427-7788.

For more information on these child care options: visit www.halifaxmfrc.ca or call: 902-427-7788.

*The H&R MFRC uses a family-centred approach to service delivery, meaning we recognize that each family has their own unique situation. Therefore, should fees be a barrier to access this service, please contact the Program Manager by calling: 902-427-7788.