INNISFAIL – The Town of Innisfail is supporting a Coping with Change, Loss, and Grief Course at Innisfail High School with grant funding in the amount of $3,750.
The funding issue was brought forward to the municipality's council by Kristen MacKenzie, the town’s community and social services manager in recent months.
MacKenzie told council the 2024 FCSS operating budget had $129,000 allocated for grants to local agencies and organizations to support preventative social programming.
From the total $129,000 available for external funding, $105,000 was allocated by the FCSS Advisory Board and approved by council last April 22.
MacKenzie’s report to council said $60,000 was allocated to the Chinook’s Edge School Division’s Family School Wellness (FSW) program, a voluntary program that helps students and families with social-emotional challenges.
The FSW program offers support, information, and referrals.
Another $25,000 was allocated to the the Chinook’s Edge School Division’s YES Program that helps students build resiliency skills and mental health.
The YES program is available to students from kindergarten through Grade 8.
An additional $20,000 of external funding was given to the Innisfail Seniors Drop-In Society.
With the additional approval of $3,750 to the Innisfail High School, the remaining $20,250 balance will become part of the annual operating budget surplus.
Council was told the FCSS Advisory Board was approached by the Innisfail High School about financial support for their 12-week Coping with Change, Loss and Grief Course, which has been offered at the school for each of the past four years and only during the second semester.
The program is facilitated within the school by Ley-Anne Mountain of Naturally Nurtured and is open to all students from grades 9 through 12
“It wouldn't have to start right away but sometime in February would be when she (Mountain) would come in and we let the kids know it's coming, and those that are interested can sign up for it, and then they get credit for going,” said a spokesperson for the high school, adding there is no cost for the kids to be a part of the program.
Council voted unanimously in favour of a motion to accept a funding recommendation to allocate 2024 FCSS external grant funds of $3,750 to Innisfail High School to have the grief coping course available for students.
“I fully support this,” said Coun. Dale Dunham. “Any additional program we can give to our students to help them in the process of becoming adults and enabling them to potentially have the capacity to deal with grief and loss I think is a really good thing for us to be doing, and it sets a really good example.”
