Twenty community-based groups and organizations will be receiving approximately $1.6 million in new funding through the Red Deer & District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) program.
The FCSS board approved the new provincial funding on March 2. The funds are in addition to funding already allocated.
In October 2015 the government announced that FCSS funding was increased by $25 million provincewide.
In response the Red Deer & District FCSS board put out a request for proposals in January, inviting applicants to submit proposals for “new early prevention programs that were either: planned and ready to go; an expansion of an existing project; or a one-time project or innovation to better serve clients.”
“There are many deserving programs and services for individuals and families throughout our region focused on improving social well-being, and we are thrilled that this funding makes more of them possible,” Red Deer & District FCSS board chair Kathy Sitter said in a press release.
“We are very thankful the provincial government has acknowledged the great need for these services, and has invested accordingly.”
The Red Deer & District FCSS mandate is to provide preventive social programming that “enhances the social well-being of individuals and families through promotion or intervention strategies provided at the earliest opportunity.”
Groups receiving the new money include the following: Bowden Grandview School for resiliency in children and youth ($16,278), Big Brothers Big Sisters of Innisfail ‘Go Girls' program ($28,000), Central Alberta Refugee Effort ($60,000), Family Services of Central Alberta infant preschool wellness program ($112,000), Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division family enhancement councillors ($104,000), and the United Way ($40,000).
A complete list of recipients is on the Red Deer County website.
