FCSS - Family & Community Support Services

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Family & Community Support Services (FCSS)

CONTACT: Community Development Coordinator   780.846.2244

                          

Through a partnership with the Province of Alberta, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) offers programs and services that allow residents to develop their interest and to contribute to the well-being of their families and communities.  The County's FCSS Department works closely with affiliated FCSS offices in the City of Lloydminster, Town of Vermilion, Village of Kitscoty, Village of Marwayne and Village of Paradise Valley.

 

Limited funding is available to help implement preventative programs and/or programs designed to improve the quality of life in communities within the County.

 

For more information or assistance determining which program is best for you, contact the Community Development Coordinator.

 

Funding:

APPLICATION FORM DEADLINE                            
2023 FCSS FUNDING APPLICATION September 30, 2022

 

YEAR END REPORT DEADLINE                                                                   
Complete the shaded areas in your 2022 FCSS Funding Application January 31, 2023

 

2021 Regional FCSS COVID-19 Well-Being Survey

In June 2021, County of Vermilion River FCSS and Town of Vermilion FCSS partnered to administer the COVID-19 Well-Being Survey.  The FCSS Programs engaged with the public through various methods to get their feedback on how the COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted the community.  For the full Survey Summary, click here.

 

Click below to view the Survey Highlights:

 

 

 

What is FCSS?

Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is a unique 80/20 funding partnership between the Government of Alberta and participating municipalities or Metis Settlements.  Provincially the FCSS Program receives it mandate from the Family and Community Support Services Act and Regulation.

 

The Regulation sets out the service requirements that a municipality or Metis Settlement must meet to be eligible for funding.  Section 2.1 (1)(a) of the FCSS Regulation states: "Services under a program must be of a preventative nature that enhances the social well-being of individuals and families through promotion or intervention strategies provided at the earliest opportunity".  Section 2.1 (2)(b) states: "Services under a program must do one or more of the following:

  • help people to develop independence, strengthen coping skills and become more resistant to crisis;
  • help people to develop an awareness of social needs;
  • help people to develop interpersonal and group skills which enhance constructive relationships among people; 
  • help people and communities to assume responsibility for decisions and actions which affect them;
  • provide supports that help sustain people as active participants in the community

 

To learn more about Family and Community Support Services in Alberta visit FCSSAA's website. 

 

Resources

FCSS Handbook (2010)

FCSS Basic Guide to Outcome Measurement

FCSS Measures Bank with Provincial Priority Measures and Instructions

 

Program Funding Guidelines

Family and Community Support Services funding is intended to:

  • Promote and encourage voluntarism
  • To be preventative in nature, in order to:
    • Enhance, strengthen and stabilize family and community life
    • Improve the ability of persons to identify and act on their needs
    • Help avert family or community social breakdown
    • Help prevent the development of a crisis
    • Provide citizens with information of its planning and operation
    • Provide for the development of services on clearly identified social needs and effective planning
    • Encourage cooperation and coordination

 

Family and Community Support Services may offer:

  • Services to promote the social development of children and their families
  • Services that enrich and strengthen family life by developing skills in people to function more effectively within their own environment, such as
    • Parenting and family life education and development
    • Marriage enrichment
    • Retirement planning
    • Programs for single adults and single parent
    • Programs designed to enhance self-awareness and personal growth
    • Youth development services
    • Individual, family and group counseling services that are educational and not treatment oriented
  • Services that enhance the quality of life of the retired and semi-retired
  • Services designed to promote, encourage and support volunteer work in the community
  • Services designed to inform the public of available services, such as:
    • Information and referral services
    • Community information directories
    • Newcomer services
    • Inter agency coordination

 

Family and Community Support Services must not:

  • Provide for recreational needs or leisure time pursuits of individuals

  • Offer direct financial assistance to sustain an individual or family

  • Be primarily rehabilitative in nature

  • Duplicate services ordinarily provided by any government agency, or services which are reasonable accessible to the community

 

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS INVOLVED WITH FCSS!

 

 

Resources:

Human Services Directory 2022-2023

Related Links