By Serena Lapointe
For non-profit community groups and organizations that provide social programs focused on
preventive outcomes, the Family Community Support Services (FCSS) Grant through the Town
of Whitecourt and the Alberta Government can provide much-needed financial support.
For municipalities to access funding from the Provincial Government, they must provide at least
twenty percent towards their available funding percentage, with the province kicking in for the
remaining eighty percent. There are two ways that municipalities can use the money they
receive: deliver eligible, preventative social programs themselves or provide FCSS grants to
community agencies and non-profit organizations for the same purpose.
In Whitecourt, the municipality uses a combined approach to make the most use of funds, both
running programs and offering services for the community, as well as providing the yearly FCSS
grant that groups can apply for. Since municipalities are responsible for distributing the funds at
the local level, there are strict guidelines on what applicants can and cannot do with the funds to
make sure they are used as intended.
FCSS strategies include developing and strengthening skills that build resilience, enhancing
access to social supports, promoting and encouraging active engagement in the community,
fostering a sense of belonging, promoting social inclusion and developing and maintaining
healthy relationships.
Specific requirements of the programs and projects that fall under FCSS funding include helping
people develop awareness of social needs, independence, strong coping skills and crisis
resistance. Programs should also encourage active participation in the community and help
people develop interpersonal and group skills.
As dollars are distributed through FCSS programs, the Provincial Ministry of Seniors,
Community and Social Services collect data on how it is used, revealing gaps that
organizations and municipalities have recognized since they are using funding to fill them. The
data also helps make evidence-based decisions for program improvements or the creation of
new ones.
Things that cannot be covered include programs/services that offer direct assistance, like
money, food, clothing or shelter, and those that are focused primarily on recreational or leisure
needs and pursuits. Dollars also cannot leverage support to a secondary group or organization,
and cannot support those who do not have a financial need.
Since the money is coming from two levels of government, it also cannot be used to duplicate
something that a government body or agency would normally provide funding for. FCSS is about
preventative outcomes, so services that are primarily rehabilitative in nature are not covered
under this funding.
This year, four community groups applied for funding under the FCSS grant. The McLeod River
Primary Care Network (PCN) created a project called Living Your Best Life, which includes
workshops that provide strategies to help people navigate life with greater ease, focusing on
mental health and social engagement.
The Community Lunch Box applied for volunteer recruitment and training, as well as one-third of
the wages for a Volunteer Coordinator, which strengthens the volunteers’ community
connections, helps build a sense of belonging and builds an overall inclusive community.
The third group that applied this year was the Edson & District Community Learning Society –
Settlement Services, which supports Whitecourt as part of its service area. They applied for help
for the Cultural Connections Project, which helps newcomers to the area feel welcome,
introducing them to the people, cultures and opportunities in their new community.
Lastly, the Whitecourt & Area Men’s Shed applied for funding to find a place for its members to
meet. The Men’s Shed is a worldwide initiative bringing men together to connect while working
on shared-interest projects. All men are welcome, though the program does focus on older men,
as that’s a demographic often with less connection to their community.
During the February 23 Regular Meeting, Whitecourt Town Council approved funding for the
four groups, at the varying amounts requested, less items that did not qualify, utilizing the full
$20,000 yearly funding allotment set aside for the FCSS grant. The McLeod River PCN received
$2,357.82, the Community Lunch Box received $8,201.11, the Edson & District Community
Learning Society – Settlement Services received $800, and the Whitecourt & Area Men’s Shed
received $8,641.07.
Interestingly, the FCSS funding model is unique to Alberta. Though other provinces and
territories across Canada offer a variety of different supports and services with similar outcome
goals, the government-municipality partnership split in funding that FCSS offers stands out as
the only program of its kind in the country.
FCSS has been functioning since the 60s, having started under the name Preventive Social
Services. In the early 80s, it was given the name it has now. Although it has bounced around
between a couple of different government ministries and seen various changes, including
updates to per capita funding, the model has been in place for over forty years and continues to
be impactful right here at home.
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