MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - Council has passed a motion in support of suggested changes to Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) funding, changes that would include having future funding tied to population growth.
The move came by way of motion at the Sept. 4 meeting.
Wheatland County had requested that Mountain View County second a resolution being put before the upcoming Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) convention.
The resolution calls for the provincial government to “immediately begin indexing provincial funding to population growth and inflation for FCSS, thereby relieving some of the pressures on crisis intervention and prevention services and ensuring the sustainability of these essential programs.”
FCSS funding is used to support programs that enhance social well-being of individuals and families through promotion or intervention strategies, council heard.
Programs including those in support of parent and family support, early childhood development, youth programs, and programs that keep seniors connected to the community.
There are 210 FCSS programs in the province, including in this district, representing 316 municipalities participating in the provincial program.
“There has been no significant increase in funding since 2015 to help support the cost of these (FCSS) program,” Wheatland County officials said in a note accompanying the proposed resolution.
“Stagnant funding erodes the effectiveness of FCSS programming because of the increased population accessing services, as well as the increased cost to provide the same services year over year.
“This could potentially lead to reduced service quality, longer wait times, or the inability to reach everyone in need. Without an indexed funding formula there is no opportunity to expand or improve service delivery.”
The motion carried by Mountain View County at the Sept. 4 council meeting states that council “approves seconding Wheatland County’s FCSS funding resolution for consideration at the 2024 central rural municipalities District 2 fall meeting and the 2024 RMA fall convention.”
County reeve Angela Aalbers said, “I think it (the resolution) will go a long way for our community groups.”
