what is fcss?
fcss history
• Unique in Canada • 1966 – Preventive Social Services
• Promote Independence; reduce dependence on social assistance
• 1981 – became FCSS under new Act
fcss mandate
• 80/20 partnership • Voluntary
• FCSS Act and Regulation
– mandate and requirements
– responsibilities and funding parameters
– strategic outcomes
principles
• Emphasis on prevention • Local autonomy
• Community development
– self help = self-worth and independence
– People helping people approach
– Build capacity and resiliency to help prevent
and/or deal with crisis
Beliefs
• Prevent social breakdown • Involve people and communities
• Focus on strengths and find solutions • Community identifies priorities
• Volunteers/self-help = strength • Cooperate and coordinate
• Healthy attitudes and values
municipal responsibilities
• Stronger communities
• Involve citizens
• Involve volunteers
• Use resources effectively and efficiently
• Work with local organizations
the fcss story
We Respond to Crisis Because Pain is Acute and Immediate
Nearly 50 years ago, a group of courageous Albertans sought a better way, more economical and more human.
If we could build a provincial system that relied on local knowledge and leadership, the quirks and strengths of local cultures, maybe we could do what no other jurisdiction had tried: inspire our neighbours, families and colleagues to prevent crises, community by community.
That system, known today as Family and Community Support Services, is one of Alberta’s most important inventions. Our province’s mythologies are often about individuals. But our truest and finest stories are about individuals coming together.Turn on the news.
Our Vision
We like to think of ourselves as builders. We build Albertans.
• Available to all municipalities/Metis Settlements who want to participate
• A resolution by the municipal council is needed to join initially
• 80/20 Funding Agreement is signed
• Funding is allocated based on an established funding model
• Single Program
• Multi-Municipal Program
• Partnering or Grant Transfer
• FCSS Department?
• Community Services Department?
• Direct Municipal Management: CAO/
• Society/Non-profit
• Direct Service Delivery
• External Grants
• Combination of both
responsibility
roles of council, boards & director
• Municipal Council
• Advisory Board
• FCSS Program Director
• Partner with FCSS Society
managing your fcss program
• Assess community needs
• Plan
• Budget, administer and monitor finances
• Oversee FCSS program operation
• Evaluate FCSS program
• Develop and monitor policy
• Oversee PR and promotion of your program
province’s role
• Leadership and support
• Interpret FCSS legislation
• Analyze issues/trends
• Promote best practices
• Develop policy
• Ensure accountability
• Adherence to legislation
• Relationship building
• Manage FCSS budget
to qualify
program requirements & eligibility
Must be preventive and enhance social well-bing of individuals and families. Contribute to one or more of the following:
- Self-reliant and resilient individuals
- Positive relationships
- Engaged citizens who contribute to community
- Address social issues and influence change
- Encourage active participation in the community
ineligible services
Services provided under an FCSS program must not:
- Fund recreational needs
- Offer direct assistance
- Be primarily rehabilitative
- Duplicate services already funded by government or government agency
- Purchase land or buildings
- Construct or renovate a building
- Purchase motor vehicles
- Costs not related to direct delivery of FCSS services
- Municipal property taxes or levies
- Payments to board members
resources
- FCSS Handbook
- FCSS Eligibility assessment tool located in Chapter 5 of handbook
- Program Advice Inventory Listing
- Ministry website:
alberta.ca/community-social-services.aspx
fcss outcomes
Individuals:
- Experience well-being
- Connected with others
- Develop positivity
Families:
- Function in a healthy way
- Have social supports
Communities:
- Are connected and engaged
- Identify and address social issues
why measure
- Social impact of program
- Funding requirement
- Communicate value of service to stakeholders
- Tool to assess funding applications
- Promote continuous improvement
- Inspire staff and volunteers
community & social services ministry outcomes: key strategies
Outcome One:
Stability – Albertans are safe and have timely and consistent access to supports to meet their basic needs.
Outcome Two:Participation – Albertans participate in their communities through employment and other opportunities to reach their individual potential.
Outcome Three:
Inclusion – Alberta’s communities provide a sense of belonging and foster resiliency.
Testimonials
What the Community is Saying
Ed is a 65 year young senior who needs help filling out his pension paperwork. He states that he finds it confusing and overwhelming and doesn’t even know where to start. FCSS is able to assist him by downloading the applications and assisting him to complete them. They include: Blue Cross; Old Age Security; Guaranteed Income Support; Canada Pension Plan/ and Alberta Seniors Benefit. The applications take around 45 minutes to complete. He reports being very thankful for the service.
Monty is a fifty something year old man who comes to FCSS because he is struggling. He explains that he was injured in a farming accident and can no longer work. He is not eligible for WCB, because he is self-employed, and he is too young for his pensions. FCSS is able to assist him complete the application for the Canada Pension Disability Plan, the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped and the Disability Tax Credit application. The applications take around 2 hours to complete. He reports being very grateful that FCSS was able to assist him.
Betty is an Indigenous Elder who has just moved to the community from Squamish B.C. She reports feeling lonely and isolated and would like to connect with other Indigenous people in the area. FCSS is able to connect her with the NW Aboriginal Services; the Sagitawa Friendship Centre; and other seniors resources. In addition, she is given a Newcomer Welcome Bag with important community information and contacts. She reports feeling very thankful that she was able to connect with FCSS.
Ed is a 65 year young senior who needs help filling out his pension paperwork. He states that he finds it confusing and overwhelming and doesn’t even know where to start. FCSS is able to assist him by downloading the applications and assisting him to complete them. They include: Blue Cross; Old Age Security; Guaranteed Income Support; Canada Pension Plan/ and Alberta Seniors Benefit. The applications take around 45 minutes to complete. He reports being very thankful for the service.
Monty is a fifty something year old man who comes to FCSS because he is struggling. He explains that he was injured in a farming accident and can no longer work. He is not eligible for WCB, because he is self-employed, and he is too young for his pensions. FCSS is able to assist him complete the application for the Canada Pension Disability Plan, the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped and the Disability Tax Credit application. The applications take around 2 hours to complete. He reports being very grateful that FCSS was able to assist him.
Bob is a single father who is new to the community and has two preschool aged children. He reports that he is broke and running out of food to feed his children. He explains that he is having issues transferring his Income Support account from his previous employer to the Peace River Office and that they have essentially cut him off. He reports that he has no money to pay the rent, or for food. He has been trying to work this out by himself with his workers, but he keeps going around in circles. FCSS is able to contact the Peace River Income Support office and advocate for him so that he is able to start receiving his payments within a week of FCSS intervening.
programs offered by fcss programs
jointly-funded programs
agency offered programs funded by fcss
participants in all programs
Facts & Figures
FCSS VOLUNTEERS
• 87,315 Volunteers
• 2.5 Million Volunteer Hours
• Which Equals 37.7 Million Dollars
FCSS PROGRAMS
• 314 Municipalities & Metis
• 205 Local FCSS Programs
• 99% of Albertans Have Access to FCSS
• 8 FCSS Regions