DWAN NOTE:    Please be advised that DWAN only allows for text versions of MFS Newsletters and Email Notices or Announcements.
  If you would like to receive the full version of these, please reply to  mfs.outreach@cfmws.com   and provide us with a personal email address.
MFSUS Spring National Newsletter 2018
MFSUS Message
Spring has sprung...
At MFSUS We get it...

Your MFS team listens and acts on what we hear!
We are military families too, and we get it.
 
We heard of many people having difficulties with the Medical System, so we have helped facilitate regular online briefings from the CDLS(W) Medical Staff.

We heard families had difficulty understanding what they needed to know for their OUTCAN posting, so we made a Family Guide .

We heard our website wasn't meeting your needs, so we made cafconnection.ca/unitedstates .

We heard you wanted more connection, so we developed our Facebook Page , Twitter Feed, and numerous Online Meetings, Events, and Recordings .

We heard about your emotional and mental health struggles, so we held a Social Worker-Led Program and created a Mental Health Campaign , filled with important resources.
 
That's just to name a few of the initiatives MFS has been working on to address your challenges and needs. So use your voice to help impact the lives of current and future CAF families posted to a U.S. OUTCAN. Give us your feedback. We listen!

Thank you to our families for speaking out.

Michelle S. - MFSC D.C. Capital Region, MFSUS
Spring Calendar
Updates
2018 Allianz Medical Billing Update
There have been some changes made to TRICARE and Allianz Global that MFSUS and CDLS(W)’s Medical Staff wanted to make you aware of. 

Get all of the answers you need here. Click on the Medical News for details.
Listen to this brief delivered by Capt Raoul Mathias, CDLS(W) Health Admin Officer:
It's That Time of Year Again...
Find the forms that may help with the completion of your taxes.
Looking for some advice on financial planning, check out SISIP Financial Planning.
The U.S. Family Guide has some great information too.
Posted This Year
Heading back
If you are departing the United States this year, your MFS Coordinator can connect you to personalized support and information at your receiving MFRC. We have prepared some information for you on our webpage:
You can also e-mail me at: mfs.outreach@cfmws.com or go to www.cafconnection.ca to find your new locations, and other great resources!

Check out the great resource: "ABC's of Military Postings" .
This was developed by The National Defense and Canadian Forces Ombudsmans, in response to complaints from Members about the move process.

If your family is under CDLS (W) check out the departure book:
Education
Scholarships and Bursaries
Wondering what Scholarships are available to you and your family, and how do you apply.?Check out the Scholarships and Bursaries that are out there as well as a recording about how to access them. There are millions of dollars out there!
Healthy Living
'Find a Buddy'
Todd Cirka PSP outcan Physical Fitness Coordinator
Getting in shape doesn't have to be a lonely endeavour. Nor does losing weight.
Friends, family, spouses and coworkers can have a positive effect on anyone struggling to make a change. But as friends and family members of someone attempting to make a positive lifestyle change can attest, it's not always easy to know what kind of support makes the biggest impact. Should you be empathetic and non-judgmental? Or is a more direct approach better? In other words, is surrounding those you care about with positive messages while they're trying to achieve their fitness or weight-loss goals a winning strategy? Or is urging them to stay on track with their commitment to change a better tactic? 

To read more, check out the the healthy living article for this month.
On the same webpage you can also find Exercises of the Month, provided by PSP Staff.
Online Mental Health Support
Family Information Line is offering online support via video how is it different?
Just like calling or emailing, the Virtual Counsellor will provide information, referral and  emotional support  to military families. While access to FIL is available 24/7 via phone and email, virtual counselling is scheduled between the hours of 7:00 a.m.to 11:00 p.m. ET. This allows families to book several sessions at specific times and to request the same counsellor for these sessions. Virtual counselling can be accessed by phone or video.

How do I book an FIL session via video? 
Connect with the Family Information Line by phone at 1-800-866-4546 or by email at  FIL@CAFConnection.ca  and request to speak with a Virtual Counsellor. The Virtual Counsellor will book a session or multiple sessions for you.
Hawaii
What is it really like to live in Hawaii
The MFSC in Hawaii is sharing her experiences on what life is really like in the rainbow state.
HOW TO CONTACT US
Your "Go to" Resource
If you and your family have any ideas, questions, or comments that you would like to share   with the MFSUS Team, please forward them to  Outreach . We want to hear from YOU!!