The Town of Penhold is one of several municipalities in Alberta selected to receive additional funding from the province in 2016 and 2017.
Penhold will receive close to $100,000 over two years to fund child and youth programs.
“As announced (in early March) we were selected to receive funding. Penhold will be endorsed by its Red Deer Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) funding agreement for the Penhold Youth Club expansion project,” said Penhold mayor Dennis Cooper at a recent council meeting.
Last fall, the province announced it would increase FCSS funding by $25 million across Alberta. Local municipalities would also contribute.
In January, the Red Deer and District FCSS issued a request for proposals for new early prevention programs, including projects that were planned and ready to go, an expansion of an existing project or a one-time project.
In March, the Red Deer and District FCSS, which includes the Town of Penhold, approved 20 programs to receive about $1.6 million in additional funding for 2016 and 2017.
That money will be allocated over the two-year period and will be used to fund programs that focus on and help children and youth.
“There are many deserving programs and services for individuals and families throughout our region focused on improving social well-being,” said Coun. Kathy Sitter, who is the Red Deer and District FCSS board chair. “We are thrilled that this funding makes more of them possible. We are very thankful the provincial government has acknowledged the great need for these services and has invested accordingly.”
In Penhold that funding will be allocated to an expansion project for the Penhold Youth Club and various projects with the Penhold Family Resource and Support Program.
“The province has cancelled the Neighbourhood Place (funding) dollars (as of June). That's why we at the Town of Penhold applied for (funding) dollars to keep the early childhood development programs going in Penhold,” explained Sitter.
A total amount of $12,842 will go towards the Penhold Youth Club expansion project and $86,354 is set to go towards the Penhold Family Resource and Support Program.
Sitter noted how early childhood development funding will be a great benefit to the community.
“We have so many young families in Penhold,” she said. “I think right now with the tough economic times that we're in, it's really important that we're there to support the parents with Parent Link and all the different (programs) that we can support through that funding.
“It's needed for all communities,” Sitter concluded.
Coun. Kathy Sitter
"I think right now with the tough economic times that we're in, it's really important that we're there to support the parents with Parent Link and all the different (programs) that we can support through that funding."
