How Should Alberta Improve Family and Community Support Services?

Official title: Family and Community Support Services engagement

Closed Policy & Studies Health & Safety Housing & Communities
Alberta is asking how to improve its Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) program. FCSS is an 80/20 funding partnership between the province and municipalities or Metis Settlements. The money goes to preventative programs that help people build independence, develop coping skills, and participate in their communities.

Why This Matters

Use a local food bank, crisis line, or family resource centre? Those programs often get FCSS funding. Changes to how this money flows could affect which services are available in your community. Municipalities and Metis Settlements rely on this partnership to run preventative programs.

What Could Change

The province may revise how FCSS funding is allocated between Alberta and municipalities. New accountability requirements could change how programs report their outcomes. The program's mandate might be updated to better respond to emerging community issues.

Key Issues

  • Should the mandate of the FCSS program be updated?
  • How should FCSS funding be structured between the province and municipalities?
  • How can collaboration and coordination between FCSS partners be improved?
  • What accountability and oversight measures are needed?

What Happened

Stakeholders participated in online sessions and provided feedback on the FCSS program's mandate, funding structure, collaboration and coordination, and accountability and oversight.