The uptake in subsidized counselling in Innisfail has been so great that Summit Psychology is requesting further funding from Family and Community Support Services.
In less than two weeks, more than half of the $5,000 that Innisfail town council granted the Kemp House practice to provide professional counselling to Innisfailians in need had been used up.
Twelve individuals and one family of five had used 29 of the 50 hours the $5,000 subsidy will provide for.
“Given the demonstrated need for subsidized counselling services in our community, particularly in such a short time, I am proposing/requesting that any remaining community funds be allotted to the residents of Innisfail for counselling services for the remaining 2016 fiscal year,” Carla Turnquist requested in an email to Karen Bradbury, the town's community and social development coordinator on Sept. 20.
On Sept. 12, council approved granting $5,000 to Summit Psychology to provide subsidized services to financially-strapped residents in need.
The administrative recommendation came from a noticeable increase in individuals looking for information and referral services, Bradbury said at the time of the proposal.
According to FCSS guidelines, short-term counselling and referral services are eligible for funding.
An email was sent to the FCSS Advisory Board on Aug. 22 for its consideration of $5,000 to be given to Summit Psychology for subsidized counselling.
Responses from three of the five members supported the request.
Turnquist's original request was for $12,500 based on an expectation that there was approximately $12,500 remaining of available FCSS community funds for the 2016 fiscal year.
She has asked to meet with Bradbury to discuss her most recent request.
