Mountain View County (MVC) council has approved health project funding totalling $62,369 for a number of community groups.
The move came by way of motion during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
Groups receiving funding under the county’s health initiative program include Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre, Cremona FCSS, Hope 4 MVC Kids Society, Olds and District Hospice Society, Olds Healthcare Fundraising Committee, Peaks to Prairies Primary Care Network, and Sundre Health Professional Attraction and Retention.
The Olds Healthcare Fundraising Committee will receive $18,412. The funds would be used to help purchase a specialized overhead lift bathtub for long-term care.
The Olds and District Hospice Society will receive $15,000 to support ongoing expenses of palliative care suites.
“The mission of the society is to support quality, compassionate care in a home-like setting for those facing death, by offering physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and educational support to individuals, their families and community at the end of life and during bereavement,” officials said.
The Sundre Health Professional Attraction and Retention group will receive $10,000.
“This year they will help to recruit and retain several health professionals through several activities, including temporary housing and mentoring for new nurse hires, as well as hosting a youth component known as Skills Day for high school students,” officials said.
The Hope 4 MVC Kids Society will receive $9,850. The funds would be used to support families in need.
Hope 4 MVC Kids Society is a non-profit organization that assists families with children in medical need.
The society provides such things as adaptive medical equipment, therapy such as mental health counselling, and alternative therapy not covered by health insurance or other sources.
The Peaks to Prairies Primary Care Network will receive $5,280 for the perinatal mood disorders (PMD) program.
“Often moms experiencing PMD feel like they are a bad parent and sometimes have thoughts about harming themselves or their baby,” officials said.
“If left untreated it can last for years and lead to disturbed mother-infant relationships and impaired cognitive and emotional development of the children, as well as impact members of the family who struggle to understand and cope with an incapacitated mother and wife.”
The Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre will receive $3,137.
The centre’s project is called Earn While You Learn Parenting Program.
The Cremona FCSS will receive $690.37 for a student-support project called Mental Health: Hold On.
The Cremona School will be hosting speaker Mark Black on May 28.
“In this powerful presentation, Mark incorporates humour and humility to open an authentic and encouraging dialogue and provide a safe space for students dealing with depression and other mental health struggles. Students will learn practical strategies to cope and learn that it is OK to ask for help,” officials said.
As well as funding the presentation, the funds would go towards Wellness Kits for each of the 120 students attending the presentation. The kits include contact information for the Kids Help Phone, pamphlets on mental health, motivational message bracelets, and art therapy colouring books.
“MVC council supports innovative solutions that support health care service delivery within the Mountain View County geographical region,” administration said in a briefing note to council.
“If a proposal is beneficial to an urban municipality, that municipality should contribute an equal per capita amount. This funding commitment should be obtained by the applicant prior to council approval.”
