Family & Community Support Services

Local, Provincial, & National Support Numbers

Improving Access to Services: We understand that finding information and navigating the system in rural Alberta can be difficult. Check out the various help posters or the “pink pages” of the Kinsmen Community Directory vegrevilledirectory.ca

Click on a poster to download a PDF

 

 

Housing & Basic Needs Task Force

The community has started a task force to find creative ways to address the housing and basic needs of residents.

To learn more about how to:

•    Access housing navigation and supports

•    Join the task force

•    Make a donation

Email: vegHBN@vegreville.com or Call: 780-632-3966

 

 

Financial Empowerment Resources

For many of us, money worries are the greatest source of stress; more than work, personal health, and relationships. There are many sources of financial stress, including:

• Managing household expenses
• Dealing with high levels of debt
• Living paycheque
• Loss of employment 
• Struggling to save money for short and long-term goals
• Dealing with unexpected expenses

If you feel this way, remember you’re not alone. Financial stress affects all income levels and age groups. When we don’t have adequate income, can’t save, and get into debt, the community experiences:

• Rising rates of evictions
• Homelessness
• Food insecurity
• Family violence
• Health problems
• Unpaid taxes and utility bills

We're here to help you find the information and resources you need to strengthen your ability to meet your financial needs. We want you to feel empowered and know more about how to:

• Budget your money during difficult times.
• Get by financially on your monthly income.
• Keep up with bills and commitments.
• Know more about how to prepare for your future.>
• Overcome challenges that life has thrown your way.

 

 

Helpful Links

Alberta Supports - access information about how to contact the Alberta Supports Contact Centre or find a physical office location

Alberta Seniors - find information about Seniors Financial Assistance, Special Needs Assistance, and the SHARP loan. 

Alberta Continuing Care - access information about continuing care standards, services and accommodations, and other information about continuing care in Alberta. 

Alberta Children and Family Services - find information on reporting abuse, fostering and kinship care, Family Resource Networks, the Alberta Child and Family benefit, and adoption. 

Government of Canada - Support and Services for Seniors - access information about CPP, Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement, and other federal seniors programs. 

Vegreville Alberta Supports Centre 
Address: 5121-49 Street  
Vegreville, Alberta T9C 1S7 
Email: CSS.VegrevilleDO@gov.ab.ca 
Phone: 780-632-8686 
Fax: 780-632-8687 

Information and Education is a powerful tool! Feeling like you belong and participating in the community is an important part of living in a community. 

The Power of Awareness Campaigns

Awareness campaigns are effective in spreading information and increasing knowledge among residents, providing them with the tools they need to tackle social issues that affect their community and well-being. These campaigns bring people together and empower them to create a welcoming, inclusive, and empathetic place to call home.

Bringing Service Agencies Together for the Greater Good 

• Vegreville Interagency: Come and share valuable information and discuss current trends and issues that impact residents' quality of life. Meetings are scheduled for the second Wednesday of every month. Simply email fcss@vegreville.com to be added to the email distribution list and stay informed.
• Community of Practice: A group of service providers who meet to discuss referrals presented by agencies. These referrals contain non-identifying information to protect the privacy of individuals, families and seniors. Our goal is to improve access to services. Meetings are on the last Tuesday of the month. To join, email fcss@vegreville.com 

Promoting Education and Awareness for Stronger Community: The following are coalitions and committees FCSS staff support:

• Vegreville Cares Coalition (VCC): Aims to strengthen individuals and their relationships. 
• Rural Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition (REAP): A coordinated community response to address elder abuse. Organizations encompass five rural areas being Lamont County, the Town of Vegreville, Beaver County, the County of Minburn, the County of Two Hills, and Flagstaff County.
• Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA): Committee Coordinated through the school divisions, this group is composed of community and justice agencies, health and social service professionals who collaborate to create and maintain school environments in which students, staff, parents/guardians, and others feel safe. The focus is on early intervention, prevention, and aftermath strategies for crisis trauma, violence, and conflict.
• Emergency Social Services (ESS) Central Region Committee: The purpose is to exchange knowledge and resources among communities, municipalities, and regions to enhance Emergency Social Services for Albertans. FCSS participates in regional meetings along with key stakeholders, including Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA), Alberta Health Services (AHS), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) Council.

Strengthening Community Ties

• Family Day Event: Every February, Vegreville's FCSS, in partnership with other local organizations and businesses, collaborates to design a free event that fosters stronger family bonds within the community. FCSS takes the lead by bringing together various partners and overseeing the organization of the event.

We heard from the community, and they told us the priority is to help create:

1. Natural Supports: Develop a connection between friends and neighbours who have the skills and abilities to help those needing an extra bit of support to achieve higher levels of wellbeing. If you would like to be a part of strengthening the natural supports in our community, please contact FCSS at 780-632-3966. 
2. Foster Volunteerism & Strengthen Our Rural Non-Profit Sector: The quality of life enjoyed by our residents is made possible by the programs, activities, and services offered by local non-profits and charities. By engaging and building the capacity of leaders of volunteers, together we can increase volunteer engagement. 

 

Resources for Non-Profit Organizations:

Access the FCSS Community Development Facilitator: Are you a non-profit organization or charity? Would you like to know about important information that applies to your sector? If so, call 780-632-3966 or email fcss@vegreville.com.

Government of Alberta, Non-profit governance: Board development and facilitation services, resources, and other supports to help organizations improve their services.

• Board Development Program 
• Community Development Unit

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More Resources:

• Volunteer Canada: Provides national leadership and expertise on volunteerism to increase the participation, quality and diversity of volunteer experiences. 
• National Volunteer Week: This is a time to celebrate and thank our volunteers! Keep an eye on social media for how to get involved in April. 
• Volunteer Alberta: Strengthen Alberta’s nonprofit/voluntary sector organizations through knowledge exchange and strategic connections.

Creating a Stronger Community 

Building a network of services, groups, organizations, and supports that take action together boosts wellness and resilience of a community. 

Coordination Projects: FCSS supports the following community projects as the banker and employer for the following grants that deliver programs and services to the community:

• Kalyna Family Resource Network FRN (Hub & Spoke Services, Ministry of Children's Services Agreement)
• Vegreville Housing & Basic Needs Task Force (Funded by the Federal Rural Reaching Home Initiative)

Funder & Capacity Building Projects:

• Improving Access to Supports For Those Experiencing Family Violence: Funded by Alberta Addictions & Mental Health and delivered in partnership with the Crisis Association Society of Vegreville and other local agencies
• SOARING Project: Strengthening Opportunities for Adolescent Resilience, Inclusion & Growth (Funded by Alberta Health Services).

Capacity Building Projects: FCSS providing the support needed to improve the following organization’s ability to deliver programs and services in Vegreville.

• Action for Health Communities, Settlement Services 
• Kalyna Primary Care Network, Community Supports Navigator

Convening Projects: FCSS brings people and organizations together to explore, strategize, and work through opportunities and challenges. 

• Vegreville Adults and Seniors Taskforce (VAST): A dedicated group of community members working together to address the challenges facing adults and seniors in our community. This task force came together after the Let’s Take Action Together Community Engagement Sessions hosted by the Vegreville & District FCSS. To learn more or to join VAST, please email info.on.vast@gmail.com 

During a community engagement session held on Feb 27, 2023, several topics that align with the later stages on the prevention spectrum were revealed. FCSS is neither resourced or mandated to provide direct support and services within the intervention, rehabilitation, or treatment realms. However, our potential roles can be seen on this chart and our involvement is shorter-term in nature.

 

Need Your Input

We are actively working to build a diverse group of parents and stakeholders who are interested in participating in this group. The goal of this initiative is building capacity and creating resilience in the childcare organizations in our community. To join email: fcss@vegreville.com 

The Vegreville Community Childcare Initiative has a survey out to look at the emerging needs and explore opportunities to improve the accessibility of childcare within Vegreville. It is essential that the community collaborates to advocate for the need. We ask that you take a few moments to complete the survey by clicking HERE

Sizzlin' Summer

Vegreville & District FCSS delivers the “Sizzlin’ Summer” day camp program to offer a wide variety of activities to keep your child both engaged and excited during the summer.  Sizzlin' Summer is designed based on the “Developmental Assets Framework” and our goals are to develop the following: Positive values, social skills, self-esteem, and children feel valued by adults in the community.

Parent Handbook 2024

Sizzlin' Summer Calendar 2024

Registration Form 2024

 

Junior Leader's Program

This program prepares youth ages 13-15 for the world of work and volunteering within the community. The program focuses on enhancing teamwork, leadership, and employability skills while providing fun opportunities for youth to provide mentorship to children. Applicants must apply to the program. Once the application process is complete they will undergo a training opportunity and be able to transfer their knowledge to the Sizzlin’ Summer Day Camp or with other FCSS programs and events throughout the year.  

Any youth who show strong leadership skills and enjoy spending time with children are encouraged to apply HERE

 

After School Programming

FCSS in partnership with organizations deliver after school programs that focus on enhancing the well-being of children and youth. 

• Friend Den: For children Grades 1-3 to develop social skills, friendships, and learning to process emotions. For more information or to register contact FCSS. 
• After Hours: Youth Grades 7-12 are introduced to a variety of activities and topics. The opportunities will foster connection, increase self-esteem, and enhance skill development.  For more information or to register contact FCSS. 

 

Babysitting Course

Providing new babysitters leadership, safety, and skill development to be ready for a variety of childcare situations. For upcoming course dates contact FCSS.

 

Meals on Wheels Program

Who can get Meals on Wheels?  Anyone, of any age, who faces difficulty purchasing or preparing meals either through illness, recent hospitalization, disability, poor facilities or poor nutrition.    Frozen meals are available for rural clients.  These meals must be picked up from the hospital.	When are the meals available?  Meals are delivered Monday to Friday, including statutory holidays, between 11:00 am and 12:00 noon.  You may order a meal for every day or just on specified days.    You may order 3 meals on Fridays for the weekend.	What is in a meal?  The meal consists of a hot main course, soup, salad, and dessert.  Substitutions are available.
Where do the meals come from?  Meals are prepared fresh at St. Joseph’s General Hospital and served in disposable dishes.  Special diets such as diabetic, low fat, low salt, or minced are available.    People with allergies and digestive problems can be given suitable foods.	How much do the meals cost?  The cost per meal is $7.00.    The hospital sends a bill at the end of each month for the meals received during that month.   Payments must be mailed or taken to the Hospital.	How do I get started?  To get Meals on Wheels started please contact the FCSS office at 780-632-3966. If you are interested and wish to try out a meal contact us and we can make arrangements.

Apply Now

Drivers for Meals on Wheels are volunteers

 

 

Community Volunteer Income Tax Program

 

Need a hand preparing your income tax return? The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) is a collaboration between the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Vegreville & District Family & Community Support Services (FCSS), and community volunteers to prepare income tax returns for people who have a modest income and a simple tax situation.

This program is for:	This program is NOT for:
People who: Adults 65 years and older Housing-insecure individuals  Indigenous Peoples Modest-income individuals Newcomers Persons with disabilities Students and youth	People who   Have self employment income Have business or rental income Owe capital gains Carry employment expenses Filed for bankruptcy Were deceased during the tax year

• CVITP starts on March 1st each year and is a “drop-off & pick-up” clinic, no appointment required. 
• Please bring all your required T-slips, receipts, and photo identification.
• It will take between 10-14 business days for your tax return to be completed.
• Missing documents will delay processing.

 

Community Counseling Program

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Vegreville & District FCSS is proud to offer affordable community counselling to residents of Vegreville and the County of Minburn. To schedule an appointment, please call Guided Path at 780-318-1480 or send an email to admin@guidedpathcg.ca.

Sessions:

In-person, telephone, and virtual sessions available
Individual, couple, and family available
Payments for Services:

Payments are made through Guided Path Counselling
Cash, E-transfers, and Credit Card payment accepted.
Receipts provided for you to submit to your insurance carrier for reimbursement.

FCSS Subsidized Housekeeping Program

If you're seeking government assistance but don't qualify for Alberta Seniors Financial Assistance, our program might be an option to consider. Contact the FCSS office at 780-632-3966 to learn more about the eligibility criteria and how this program can assist you.

Hosting a block party in your neighbourhood is a fun way to connect with the people in your community! Connecting with your neighbours helps increase the well-being of everyone involved! A connected neighbourhood helps everyone feel a sense of safety and belonging.

Interested in Hosting Your Own Block Party? View and fill out the Block Party Guidelines and Application Forms HERE. 

Block Party Guidelines:

• Block party time limits are 7:00 am – 10:00 pm on weekdays and 9:00 am – 10:00 pm on weekends
• Applicant must remain at the party until its conclusion
• Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on Town property
• Firepits must be raised and CSA-approved (see page 12 for application)
• Barricades and the Block Party Activity Kit must be returned on the business day following your event.
• Have a plan for clean-up after the event

Road Closure Guidelines:

• The Road Closure Application must be submitted two weeks before your planned event. All applications must be approved by the Town of Vegreville.
• We recommend blocking off only a limited number (2-3) of houses.
• Emergency vehicle access must be maintained at all times during the event (eg. Fire, ambulance or police vehicle/personnel)
• Barricades must be removed immediately after the event ends.

Need more information? Contact FCSS at 780-632-3966