On April 2, the Government of Alberta announced it will increase funding to Family Resource Networks (FRN) by $6.6 million over two years through Budget 2024, which increases the total funding to $66.7 million.
Family Resource Networks were launched in 2020. There are 70 FRNs across the province, providing family-based support and services, including free prevention and early intervention services for youths and families.
Minister of Children and Family Services Searle Turton says the FRNs were created to provide “safe havens, where families can gather and grow together,” making it easier for families to access prevention and early intervention services through a more consistent and coordinated approach.
“In other words, families facing big challenges can get help early, reducing the number of children who come into government care, and families who require child intervention services,” says Turton.
According to Turton, half of the 70 FRNs serve rural communities, and 18 specifically target cultural and linguistic communities, including multi-cultural, Francophone, and Indigenous communities.
The increased funding will “strengthen our networks in three key areas,” says Turton.
First, is making sure that Indigenous children and families have access to culturally appropriate supports and services.
Second, is ensuring FRNs have training and the capacity to respond to the needs of LGBTQ2S+ and gender-diverse youths.
Third is to enhance intensive services to “meet the rising demand for the supports,” says Turton.
Funding will be distributed across the entire FRN network.
As for the specific breakdown of what programs within FRNs will receive a financial boost, Turton says the provincial government will be discussing those terms with the FRNs.
“I'm really open to having that conversation with what works out best for the individual FRNs to meet the needs of their respective communities.”
Turton reiterated during the announcement that the increased funding “really comes down to strengthening families,” and ensuring children continues to have cultural connections.
Turton says the FRN program has grown since its creation in 2020, and continues to grow and have positive effects on families’ lives across the province.
“That has been shown with increasing numbers of families that have been accessing these programs,” he says. “It is our hope and goal that as we continue to help provide support for families around the province, that it can actually lead to declines in children actually entering [government] care later on.”
