2011community social development report, city of grande prairie

2011 Community

Social Development

Report

Connect. Engage. Inform.

On behalf of City Council, I am

very happy to share the 2011

Community Social Development

Report with you.

The City of Grande Prairie is very proud of the work it does to strengthen our community’s social capacity by investing in

the City’s most valuable resource— its people. Through the Community Social Development (CSD) department, we provide

community supports and programs which help residents in need, provide opportunities for community engagement and

build community connections. In 2011, our investments totaled just over $5 million.

Much of CSD’s work is done in partnership with staff and volunteers from an array of community organizations. Their hard

work and dedication has been key to the many successes that were achieved in 2011.

In 2012, CSD’s services and programs will be expanded in a number of areas in order to further support and strengthen our

community. It is expected to be another great year for our community and we look forward to the many achievements to

come.

Bill Given, Mayor

City of Grande Prairie

Dale Tiedemann

Youth Services Supervisor

What we do for the community…

Family and Community

Support Services

Community Supports

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Network

Affordable Housing Community

Homeless Initiatives

Learn more inside…

CSD Staff at Municipal Government Day

Community Social Development

Working to:

connect people to community resources,

engage individuals and groups to address community social issues, and

inform community members about services and programs.

To accomplish the above, the City’s Community Social Development (CSD) department delivers and administers programs directly,

and also partners with local agencies and organizations. Several programs are part of province-wide initiatives which receive financial resources from the provincial government.

CSD’s preventative social programs are part of Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), which is a partnership between the province and municipalities. FCSS programs and investments are designed to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and the

community. FCSS program costs are jointly funded by the province and municipalities. Although municipalities are required to cover a minimum of 20% of the costs, in recognizing the importance of these programs the City of Grande Prairie has made additional financial contributions to local FCSS programs in the last several years.

The department fulfills the role of administrator for Community Homeless Initiatives within the City of Grande Prairie and the Northwest Alberta Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Network, both of which are provincially funded. CSD also administers programs

supported by the federal government within Community Homeless Initiatives. Affordable Housing Initiatives, which is funded solely by the provincial government, is also coordinated by CSD.

Through its Community Supports division, CSD administers and delivers additional local programs that support community wellbeing.

C o n n e c t . E n g a g e . I n f o r m . C o n n e c t . E n g a g e . I n f o r m . C o n n e c t . E n g a g e . I n f o r m . C o n n e c t . E n g a g e . I n f o r m . C o n n e c t . E n g a g e . I n f o r m .

7 Our Revenue Sources

Tax Dollars

16%

millions

Federal Funding 6%

Client Fees

5%

Total Revenues:

$5.0 million

OSSI

$1.9 FCSS

$1.0

Provincial

73%

FASD $0.7

―The funding and support we have received … has enabled GPHPCS to secure a long term office space. This means we can operate more efficiently.‖

Grande Prairie Hospice Society

OSSI – Outreach and Support Services Initiative

2011 Community

Social Development

Report

Family & Community

Support

Services

4,689

6,817

9,364

Clients received

supports & services

Public education &

training participants

Hours by over 1,200

volunteers

FCSS- Programs

FCSS-2

C o n n e c t . E n g a g e . I n f o r m . C o n n e c t . E n g a g e . I n f o r m . C o n n e c t . E n g a g e . I n f o r m . C o n n e c t . E n g a g e . I n f o r m . C o n n e c t . E n g a g e . I n f o r

Building citizen capacity and improving

quality of life

Through Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), the City delivers programs directly and invests in partner organizations that offer preventative social programs.

In 2011, the City of

Grande Prairie contributed just over

$507,000 to the FCSS

Revenues: Expenditures:

program. The provincial contribution was about

$1 million.

The funds were

invested in programs for children and youth, families, adults, seniors, and community development.

City's Contribution

$506,937

Total: $1.5 million

Provincial

Contribution $1,026,699

Community

Development 23%

Seniors

27%

Children/

Youth

19%

Families 18%

Adults

13%

FCSS-3


FCSS- Partnerships

Achieving more through our partnerships

Through partnerships, the FCSS program is able to achieve more for an increasing amount of clients throughout the community. Partner organizations use FCSS investments to provide programs and supports for children, youth, families, and seniors in our community. Many of these organizations also rely on the contributions of countless volunteers.

“FCSS Funding means Odyssey House is able to extend its services and knowledge of abuse beyond the walls of the shelter to stop violence before it starts. … Without the funding FCSS provides, we would not be able to connect with schools, agencies and the general public nor cover gaps in shelter services through use of volunteers.”

Dallal Olver Volunteer Program Coordinator

Odyssey House

FCSS-4


[Type text]

FCSS- Children & Youth

Empowering youth to be active

members of our community

Investments in our city‟s youth population are investments in our community‟s future. Through the FCSS program, the City of

Grande Prairie and its partners are taking steps to connect, inform, and engage youth. Youth culture has been enhanced and the collective „voice‟ of the local youth population is increasingly being recognized and represented throughout the community. With 15,340 of Grande Prairie‟s 55,032 residents under age 20 in 2011, youth programs target almost 30% of

the city‟s population.

The City of Grande Prairie Youth Council provides a forum for youth engagement and

participation, helping them to make a positive impact in the community. In 2011, members, ages 14-21, dedicated their time and energy to eight different community based projects such as the City of Grande Prairie Youth Summit and Muskoseepi Park Haunted House.

Youth Week provided youth the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of free and low-cost activities, designed

for young people by their peers and members of the community.

Home Alone Safely courses allow parents to feel confident that their children are prepared to stay home

alone. The course provides 9 to 11 year olds with safety enhancing skills including basic first aid, internet safety and

“stranger danger” awareness.

The City of Grande Prairie was recognized for its dedication in implementing the Kids at Hope program in 2011. Under the leadership of Dale Tiedemann, Youth Services Supervisor, the City hosted a number of Hopeology Sessions, Train the Trainer Workshops, and hosted the 2011 Kids at Hope Provincial Forum. An early adopter of the Kids at Hope program, Grande Prairie has demonstrated the importance of removing the at-risk stereotype and replacing it with at hope.

FCSS-5


[Type text]


Youth Council members assist with the City of Grande Prairie‟s Graffiti Wipeout Campaign

61 families benefited from

Home Alone Safely classes

100% of Youth

Council members indicated that they are more interested in community problems and feel that

they can make a difference.

“…we come together at Youth Council, eager to help the community.”

“I have more confidence when on my own at home.”


FCSS-6


"Beyond Faces”

Youth Diversity

2011 Calendar Project

“The idea for the "Beyond Faces" Youth Diversity Calendar came after a small group of Youth Council members attended Vitalize!, the Province of Alberta's annual Volunteer Sector Conference in June of 2010… Youth Council members decided that a calendar would be a great way to showcase the uniqueness and individuality of teenagers living in our community while reminding one another that we are all very much the same."

Youth Council Member

*Both photos by Suzanne Sagmeister Photography

FCSS-7


FCSS- Children & Youth Partners

3,731

4,613

Clients received

supports &

services

Public education

& training

participants

Partner Agencies

Canadian Red Cross RespectED Youth Program

Catholic Family Services Family and Community Liaison

Cool Aid Society Youth Drop-in

Volunteer Services Bureau

Leaders of Tomorrow

Sunrise House

Youth Emergency Shelter

Suicide Prevention Resource

Centre Breakfast Club

John Howard Society Tabono Centre Client

Services

FCSS-8


FCSS- Children & Youth Partners

86%

were better able to cope with situations in their life Breakfast Club Weekend Retreat Participants

98%

reported increased knowledge & access to resources Cool Aid Society Youth Participants

Program Benefits as told through the voices of Children & Youth clients:

“This helped us tremendously, without it I don‟t know what would have happened to our family. We learned new communication skills and we have much more respect for each other.”

Foundations for Families

“I felt you helped with my problems at home and school. You‟re truly amazing, me and my mom are trying our best not to fight.”

Catholic Family Services

FCSS-9


[Type text]

FCSS- Families, Adults, & Seniors

Providing support to individuals and

families in need

The FCSS Program allows the City and its Partner Agencies to offer families, adults and seniors an array of preventative social programs and services.

The City’s Home Support Program recognizes that maintaining and

managing a healthy home can be a challenge for some seniors, individuals

with disabilities, and single mothers with young children. The program provides support services to individuals and families

experiencing disruptions to their normal daily routine due to aging, emotional stress or health issues. Qualifying clients receive services like meal preparation, light housekeeping, and companionship at a

subsidized rate.

“…I support clients yet find I receive

more than I give.”

Home Support Worker

FCSS-10


180 92%

FCSS-

Family, Adult & Seniors’ Partners

clients received home

support services in 2011

Mothers with

Young

Children 4%

Individuals in

Need ( Mentally

Challenged/

Handicapped/

Surgery R ecovery/

Palliative)

14%

report their ability to manage at home has improved.

“Home is where I want to be. The Home Support program is making that possible.”

report that the service helps

Seniors

(age 60+)

82% 98%

them to maintain their ability

to live independently.

“I am able to live more independently because my home support worker does vacuuming and

other light housekeeping for me”.

FCSS-11


FCSS- Family, Adult & Seniors’ Partners

882 Clients received

supports &

services

870 Public education

& training

participants

Partner Agencies

Society for Pregnant & Parenting Teens Volunteer Coordination

Dads Progam

Public Education

Grande Prairie & District Grief Support

Association Circle of Life’s Camp He-a-He

Odyessy House

Public Education

PACE

(Providing Assistance, Counselling, & Education)

Public Education

Women’s Support Group

Grande Prairie & Area Council on Aging

Seniors Outreach

Meals on Wheels

FCSS-12


FCSS- Family, Adult & Seniors’ Partners

100% responded that services help them live

independently Seniors’ Outreach Clients

90%

report increased awareness of issues Pregnant & Parenting Teens, Informed Choices Clients

Program Benefits as told through the voices of Family, Adult & Senior clients:

““This information will make a difference in my life by helping me to help others and be more knowledgeable about abuse.”

Odyssey House

“The Men‟s Support Group has helped me so much… It has opened my eyes to see what I need to work on with myself.

Suicide Prevention Resource Centre

FCSS-13


[Type text]

FCSS- Community Development

Increasing awareness and facilitating

volunteer involvement

Through the FCSS program, the City supports projects and programs that enhance community awareness, knowledge of social issues, and connect citizens to volunteer opportunities.

In 2011, the City invested in several FCSS projects which targeted community development through public education and awareness activities, and community and agency capacity building. The City also supported the delivery of programs by several partner agencies.

The Grande Prairie Newcomers Guide was also released in 2011. The booklet builds awareness of

city services and helps to connect newcomers to the services they need.

Intercity Forum on Social Policy (ICFSP)

ICFSP which is a vehicle for information sharing, networking, and advocacy for and among Alberta cities. As a member of ICFSP, Grande Prairie was

involved in campaigning for a provincial anti-poverty strategy in 2011.

FCSS-14


FCSS- Community Development Partners

1,209 Volunteers

involved in

program delivery

Partner Agencies

Grande Prairie Community Village

Grande Prairie Volunteer

Services Bureau (GPVSB)

Odyssey House RESPOND Volunteer

Coordination GP and District Grief Support

Association

Circle of Life Volunteer

Coordination Pregnant and Parenting Teens

Building Capacity Through Volunteer Engagement

FCSS-15


FCSS- Community Development Partners

93% felt they were offered increased opportunities to

actively participate in the community GPVSB Clients

Program Benefits as told through the voices of Volunteer dependent organizations:

“The Canadian Red Cross is a volunteer-driven organization & the contribution of our volunteers is immeasurable and infinite. VSB, through their web service, assists us in fulfilling our mission … providing our region and our organization with the ability to match interested volunteers to our current needs. Additionally, the annual Volunteer Luncheon hosted by the VSB is a much anticipated event by our volunteers … we certainly appreciate the opportunity for recognition of the dedicated individuals who are part of our „Red Cross Family‟.”

Sharon Mclean, Branch Coordinator, Canadian Red Cross

“This is a very worthy organization within the City of Grande Prairie that assists many volunteer organizations with current information about opportunities for training, networking and seeking out volunteer opportunities in healthcare.”

Sylvia Advent, Coordinator, Volunteer Resources Alberta Health Services

“Every year, the Volunteer Services Bureau recruits, trains, and manages volunteers that help make the Grande Prairie Street Performers Festival a success. Not only that, but they have a representative at the table as part of our organizing committee. They show a strong commitment to the community and make valuable contributions in so many ways.”

International Street Performers Festival Committee

C

2011 Community

Social Development

Report

Community Homeless Initiatives

As Chair of the Community Advisory

Board on Homelessness, I celebrate the

successes that we have seen in the City

of Grande Prairie in working towards

the goal of ending homelessness. In the 2011-12 fiscal year 398 homeless individuals were support ed through Housing First and 222 were housed.

This is a remarkable accomplishment for a city seeing rising rental rates and low vacancies, due to a fast rising

economy. Landlords that support the Housing First program are crucial to the success of our homeless initiatives

and it is through developing and maintaining these relationships that we move forward.

A thank you goes to our Funded Agencies, an essential part of our team that work tirelessly to provide frontline

service with a warm and caring attitude.

Together we achieve success!

Vi Meck, Chair

Community Advisory Board on Homelessness


CHI-1


Putting housing first to help the homeless population

The cost of managing homelessness far exceeds the cost of ending it. The City of Grande Prairie is committed to ending homelessness. The City is working in partnership with the Governments of Canada and Alberta to transform this commitment into reality. The goal is to address current needs and, at the same time, look towards a long term solution.

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy is the federal initiative through which Grande Prairie receives

support and funding from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

The Housing First Program is a province-wide initiative that stems from Alberta‟s Action Plan to End Homelessness. As explained in the Action Plan,

the „Housing First‟ approach focuses on moving homeless people from shelters and the streets into permanent housing as quickly as possible. Once they have a permanent residence, people are helped through services which could include addictions counseling, employment training and mental health supports. These supports restore stability to peoples‟ lives and help keep them housed.

Grande Prairie has aligned with the province‟s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness through the creation of a multi-year plan that addresses the unique needs of our community. The City also has a community plan to address the federal Homelessness Partnering Strategy goals. Both plans are available on the City‟s website: www.cityofgp.com.

http://www.cityofgp.com/


CHI-2


Moving forward with our plan to end homelessness for good

Grande Prairie’s Multi-Year Plan to End Homelessness is consistent with the Housing First approach. The Plan puts the highest priority on moving homeless people into permanent housing with the supports necessary to sustain that housing. The City is working in partnership with community agencies to implement the Plan.

To reach its objective, the Plan sets out five goals:

1. Facilitate an adequate supply of appropriate

permanent housing options for homeless indivduals.

2. Provide enhanced and coordinated services for people

who are homeless.

3. Ensure appropriate emergency accommodation is

available as needed, but transition people quickly

into permanent housing.

4. Prevent people from becoming homeless.

5. Establish an implementation process for the Plan

that builds on the strengths of the community;

develops capacity; promotes collaboration, innovation

and cost-effectiveness; and measures progress.

Our Housing Context From April 1, 2011 to

March 31, 2012 in

Grande Prairie:

rental vacancies decreased from

5.5% to 1.1%; and

average rental

rates in the city increased 8.8%.

Source: CMHC, Rental Market Report Alberta Highlights, Spring 2012.

CHI-3



Meeting our 2011/2012 priorities

To facilitate moving forward with the Plan, Grande Prairie‟s Community Advisory Board on Homelessness (CABH) identified the following as priorities for 2011/2012 funding*:

1. Chronic Homelessness and the development

of appropriate housing and supports for this

population.

2. Rapid re-housing.

3. Community capacity building.

As the central administrative body for the Housing First Program, the City coordinates the delivery of programs. The City provided funding to several community partner agencies and delivered some programs directly.

CABH Members in 2011

Vi Meck Travis McNally Brian Hillaby Adrea

Simmons Michelle Margarit

Paul Lemay Angie Peters

Mieke de Groot Debbie Normington

* Although this Annual Report is for 2011, funding and reporting for homelessness initiatives is based a fiscal year of April 1 to March 31.

CHI-4



Partner Agencies in 2011/12

Canadian Mental Health Association Housing First Case Management

Centerpoint Facilitation Housing First Case Management (focus on families with children)

Salvation Army Housing First Case Management Winter

Warming Center

Grande Prairie Friendship Centre Housing First Case Management

Wapiti Community Dorm Society Rapid Re-housing (with short-term supports)

North Country Church of the Nazerene Rising Above Wellness and Sobriety Program

CHI-5



Funding programs that support our priorities

In 2011/2012, 6 agencies received funding to deliver

7 programs.

An “Efforts to Outcomes” database tracked the number of clients housed through the programs.

The Homelessness Action Team (HAT) was formed in 2011. HAT is made up of agencies working with homeless clients. HAT provides a forum for agencies which work with homeless clients to collectively examine successes, challenges, gaps, and future priorities.

222 clients

were housed through Housing First

programs between

April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012.

CHI-6



Housing First Success Story

Grande Prairie Friendship Centre

The Grande Prairie Friendship Centre was honored to work with a man who was 64 years old… This gentleman was sleeping in the gravel outside when our workers first met him. He was struggling with an addiction, which had resulted in homelessness, and very bad physical, mental, emotional and spiritual shape…

Together, he and the Housing 1st Team of the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre were able to help him find solutions... He was able to move into a town house… After settling into his own home, and adjusting to his new life style, he was able once again to address his addiction issues. He has been sober ever since, and he continues to frequent the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre. He stops by for coffee daily, and can always be counted on to lend the staff a helping hand, words of encouragement, and a few laughs.

Due to his own inner strength, and the support of the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, this man is not only no longer sleeping in the streets and feeding his addictions; he is a contributing member of society.

CHI-7



Providing enhanced and coordinated services

Centralized Intake and Assessment services have been established for the Housing First Program. Creation of a single point of entry through the City has made the assessment process simpler for

prospective clients.

The Housing Support Fund helps to make initial costs of

becoming housed more affordable for Housing First clients. It provides first

month rent and security deposit, and occasionally covers costs like Tenant Insurance and utility hook-ups.

The Rent Enhancement Fund was established in 2011

to help keep Housing First clients with limited income housed during the

remainder of their first year in the program. A monthly rent supplement is provided until employment or other sources of revenue are found.

The Housing First Training Program ensures that

partner agencies receive quality training and education in Housing First best practices and develop practical skills to support case management.

460 assessments have resulted in

264 intakes into the Housing First Program since September 2010.

CHI-8



Housing First Success Stories

Canadian Mental Health Association

One client who is almost ready to graduate from the program has managed not only to maintain his housing, but has also managed to pursue his career in carpentry by assisting his landlord on repairs to the home they are living in, so they can resell the home. The improvements they have made are fantastic and the home is looking wonderful inside and out thanks to that client. This client has also been able to maintain his sobriety for 10 months now.

Centerpoint Facilitation

A single mother with three children has been working with Centerpoint since August 2010. When we first met this Mom she had just successfully completed a 21 day program at Alberta Services Detox. She was homeless and staying at Odyssey House. She was assisted to secure housing and found support through her AA meetings... She moved to subsidized housing through Grande Spirit Foundation and no longer needs the assistance of Income Supports. She has maintained a clean and sober lifestyle for 9 months. Her comment when moving into her new home was, “I have broken the cycle in my family. I no longer have addiction… I no longer will need to rely on income supports for money and I will be a valued employee ... I will be a role model for my three young children. I never want them to have to go through the lifestyle I did in the past.”

CHI-9



Facilitating an adequate supply of appropriate permanent housing options for our homeless

Landlord Relations for the Housing First Program is led by the City of Grande Prairie as part of its role as the central

administrative body for the program. The City liaises with landlords to promote, and educate them about, the program and address

any issues that arise.

landlords and 11

property management

companies

currently house 124 Housing First Clientele

249 clients successfully exited the Housing First Program and remained housed for a minimum of 6 months between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2012.

2011 Community

Social Development

Report

Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing

AH-1


Improving access to affordable housing for those in need

Stable, affordable, and good quality housing contributes to positive outcomes for individuals, families and communities. Housing influences many aspects of life: individual health and wellbeing, educational achievement, social connections, labour market attachment, and community identity.

The City of Grande Prairie is active in addressing the need for affordable housing in our community, leading and participating in multiple initiatives. It is a challenging undertaking. The recent economic recession and current resurgence of the local economy have contributed to considerable fluctuations in housing prices and vacancy rates.

The Affordable Housing Master Plan, which was adopted

by Grande Prairie City Council in January 2011, is a long-term plan for the development

and retention of affordable housing in the city. It is meant to act as a framework for the City and for the community as they work together to advance affordable housing. The AHMP is available on the City’s website: www.cityofgp.com.

The Affordable Home Ownership Assistance

Program (AHOAP) provided down payment assistance to low-income

households through a $20,000 grant.

Affordable Housing Projects within the City of Grande Prairie are

coordinated through CSD. Projects are funded through the Affordable Housing Initiative

(AHI) which is a partnership between the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Alberta government. In July 2011, 20 affordable housing units opened in Oasis Fellowship and in fall 2011, another AHI project, CAIRN (Contemporary and Innovative

Residences North Corporation) on the Boulevard, was initiated.

AHOAP Committee Members in 2011

Bert Auger

Bernie Benson

Kim Clayton

Benita Galande

Brian Hillaby

Jane Manning

Marge Mueller


Affordable Housing

AH-2


Grande Prairie Housing Need and Demand Analysis

Grande Prairie’s Affordable Housing Master Plan was informed by a Need and Demand

Analysis which resulted in the following key findings:

Affordable Housing

AH-3


grants help 104

residents move into homes of their own

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the City of Grande Prairie for the most amazing gift... Home ownership had always been a dream for me … Being a single parent the expenses were never ending leaving no chance for me to save for a down payment...

A persons home is their refuge, a place to feel safe and someplace you can feel that you belong to, to set down roots and actually get to know your neighbours and your community. My kids get to hang pictures in “their” rooms and develop long time friendships and I get to pick the paint colours and choose where to plant my own flowers.

These are small but still immeasurable things… best of all it is ours and it is HOME”.

AHOAP Grant Recipient

Affordable Housing

AH-4


CAIRN Project

Initial Construction Phase, Winter 2011

Affordable Housing

AH-5


37

people benefited from Oasis Fellowship’s accommodations and services in 2011

“For me, being a developer of an Affordable Housing project means being part of the success people experience as they access the services we provide… We believe in an affordable environment, to create an opportunity for people to live affordable, safely and in turn help our community strengthen itself”.

Oasis Fellowship Apartments

Builder/Developer, Doug Atla

AH-6


[Type text]

Affordable Housing

Over $16 million invested

in Affordable Housing since 2008

Project Managed By Units Created Elders Caring Shelter Métis Local 1990 15 Units = 15 Beds

Hearthstone Manor Grande Spirit Foundation 40 Units

Margaret Edgson Manor Grande Spirit Foundation 70 Units

Odyssey House GP Women’s Residence Assoc. 40 Units = 40 Beds

Willow Place Manor CMHA 38 Units

Aboriginal Home Ownership Assistance Program

City of Grande Prairie

24 Grants = 24 Homes

AHOAP City of Grande Prairie 73 Grants = 73 Homes

CAIRN on the Boulevard CAIRN Corporation 64 Units

City House CMHA 3 Units

Incentive for Builders Glen Penner 3 Units

Incentive for Builders Oasis Fellowship 20 Units

Rotary House Wapiti Community Dorm Society 100 Units = 100 Beds

Second Stage Shelter GP Women’s Residence Assoc. 15 Units

Wild Rose Villas Grande Spirit Foundation 16 Units

2011 Community

Social Development

Report

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

Disorder


FASD-1

C o n n e c t . E n ga ge . I n f o r m . C o n n e c t . E n ga g e . I nf o r m . C o n n e c t . E n ga ge . I n f o r m . C o n ne c t . E n ga g e . I nf o r m . C o n ne c t . E n g a g e . I n f o r m .

Providing a collaborative and strengths based

approach to FASD

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) describes a cluster of birth defects caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. Difficulties due to these birth defects include health, speech, and language problems, learning difficulties, and behavioural problems. Individuals with FASD are at higher risk of experiencing mental health problems, disrupted schooling, criminal activity, substance abuse,

homelessness, and employment difficulties.

The province government’s unique made-in-Alberta plan on FASD focuses on developing and delivering community-based solutions, making it easier for those affected by FASD to get the help they need, at any point during their life. As the administrative lead for the program in the Northwest Alberta region, the City’s Community Social Development (CSD) department supports and coordinates delivery of services. In 2011, CSD administered $704,915 in funding for FASD assessment and diagnosis, prevention, and supports for individuals and caregivers.

Assessment and diagnosis services allow for the development of a strengths based service plan for FASD

individuals which is designed to foster successful and productive participation within the community.

Prevention of alcohol and drug exposed births is the focus of the Parent Child Assistance Program. This program uses a

case management approach to reduce risk behaviours and address the health and well-being of mothers and their children.

Ongoing supports for individuals, parents, and caregivers help to reduce risk factors and improve outcomes for

individuals and families affected by FASD.

Our partners in the oversight and delivery of FASD services include: Northwest Alberta Child and Family Services, Alberta

Education, Alberta Health Services, and Alberta Justice and Solicitor General.


FASD-2

C o n n e c t . E n ga ge . I n f o r m . C o n n e c t . E n ga g e . I nf o r m . C o n n e c t . E n ga ge . I n f o r m . C o n ne c t . E n ga g e . I nf o r m . C o n ne c t . E n g a g e . I n f o r m .

NW FASD Leadership Team Members in 2011/12

Bev Moylan, Alberta Health Services

Trish Syncox, Alberta Health Services

Tina Hackett-Myles, NW Alberta Children & Youth Services

Donelda Laing, City of Grande Prairie

Margaret Hartman, High Prairie School Division

Brenda Yamkowy, HIV North Society

Liette Snache, Western Cree Tribal Council

Thoma Hawkesworth, Chief Crown Prosecutors Office

MJ Ballantyne, Peace River Community Corrections

Carol McKinley, Corporal, RCMP

Gwen Vekved, City of Grande Prairie

Northwest FASD Network 2011

Partner Agencies:

• Accredited Supportive Living Services (ASLS)

• The Northern Association for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (NAFASD)

• Aseniwuche W inewak Nation of Canada (AW N)

• Grande Prairie Family Education Society

Assessments and diagnosis completed: Parent-Child Assistance Program participation:

Adults,

11 Total:

32

Chil dren,

10

• 16 women and their families

Youth,

11

One-on-one and post-diagnostic support provided to:

Adults, 18

Families/ C aregivers,

Total: 35

Yout h, 23 99

C hildr en,

23

“The days pile up and

keep going by and

less and less tears are

from my eyes. It

means so much to have

you in my corner…”

Moth e r i n th e P a re n t- C h i l d A s s i s ta n ce Pr og r a m

For more information on the NW FASD Network visit www.nwfasdnetwork.ca.

http://www.nwfasdnetwork.ca/

2011 Community

Social Development

Report

Community Supports

Community Supports

CS-1


Supporting citizens and improving community life

Community Supports’ programs target the entire community.

The Welcoming and Inclusive Communities initiative is a partnership between the Alberta Urban

Municipalities Association (AUMA), the Alberta Human Rights Commission, and municipalities that focuses on recognizing and valuing diversity. Through the initiative, the City has developed a Newcomers’ Guide, and is developing knowledge and resources that will

help the City become more welcoming and inclusive.

The United Way Emergency Fund is a unique collaboration between the City and the United Way which

helps residents make it through tough times. Although funded by the United Way, the program is managed and administered by CSD. Through the program, people who are struggling to keep up and have exhausted other resources can access assistance to ensure basic necessities are met.

Roots of Empathy is a community-based, community-driven program designed to raise levels of empathy, resulting in

more respectful and caring relationships and reduced levels of bullying and aggression. The program is delivered to children in kindergarten to grade 8 in partnership with school boards throughout the North West region.

The Family Day Home Program strives to ensure that parents and providers are given the support and

guidance needed to ensure that every child has the ability and the opportunity to develop to their full potential. The City of Grande Prairie Family Day Home Program contracts with the Government of Alberta for 10 day home providers and provides child care for approximately 40 children.

Disaster Social Services ensures that people are taken care of in the event of a disaster. The City of Grande Prairie

is a partner in the Regional Disaster Social Services (DSS) Plan and response. In 2011, our biggest response was to the Northern Alberta Wild Fires.

Community Supports

CS-2


298

Individuals assisted through the

United Way Emergency Fund

500

North West region students received instruction through 29

Roots of Empathy programs

“I have been participating with the Roots of Empathy program for 3 years… I have seen the growth in my students… with being able to read each other's feelings and the effect of reducing levels of aggression”.

Grade One Teacher

Community Supports

CS-3


2011 Northern Alberta Wild Fires Following the May 15, 2011 evacuation, the City of Grande Prairie housed between

400-500 evacuees in the city for approximately 10 days. The evacuees included people from Slave Lake, Atikameg and other northern communities.

Many of our community partners supported the response, including the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, who was first on the ground, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, city facilities and community businesses. Altogether our response had staff from the City and our municipal partners

in the County of Grande Prairie, Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, Hythe, and Wembley, who worked over 1,000 hours of time during the response.

Another part of the Disaster Social Services response was the challenge of managing a huge influx of donations for the event. Grande Prairie was designated as one of the three centers in the province to collect and disburse donations to evacuees. The City procured the former Young Offenders

Centre as a collection and distribution centre. Given the size and nature of this response, the City hired a staff person to manage the response. Altogether we accepted, sorted and stored 3 trailers (53 feet) plus over 60 pallets of donated goods. This response continued until mid August.

CS-4


Community Supports

“..the agency provides resources and lets us know about workshops around town. They also let us know what is going on around town for families.”

“...the agency is really helpful. Anytime I have a concern they are always there to help me. They’ve taught me a lot about running a successful day home.”

Family Day Home Providers

“I cannot say enough good things about my provider. She is very trustworthy, kind, compassionate, organized, and flexible and I never worry about my child being in her care.”

“...my day home provider does things with the children and is there for them as if they were their own.”

Parents

BELIEVE in the power of

COMMUNITY

C om m uni t y S oc i al D ev el opm ent

Ci t y of G r and e P r ai r i e

1 0 0 3 0 – 1 0 2 A v e .

G r a n d e P r a i r i e , A B T 4 B 3 C 3

Ph on e: 7 80 .5 3 8 .0 3 80

www. cit yo fgp. com


2011community social development report, city of grande prairie

Documents

community family

community resources

community engagement

community members

community wellbeing

community connections

community social issues

c o n n e c t