Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)
The Pincher Creek and District Family and Community Support Services facilitates preventative social services and community initiatives which contribute to quality of life and family wellness in the communities of the Town of Pincher Creek, the Municipal District of Pincher Creek #9 and the Village of Cowley.
What is FCSS?
Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) is a joint municipal/provincial funding program established to develop, support, and fund preventive social services.
FCSS is an 80/20 funding partnership between the Government of Alberta, municipalities and Metis Settlements. Provincially, the FCSS Program receives its mandate from the Family and Community Support Services Act and Regulation.
Under FCSS, communities design and deliver social programs that are preventive in nature to promote and enhance well-being among individuals, families, and communities. The programs depend on community resources, often involving volunteers in management and delivery.
The FCSS philosophy is based on a belief that self-help contributes to a sense of integrity, self-worth and independence. The developed programs are intended to help individuals in their community to adopt healthy lifestyles, thereby improving the quality of life and building the capacity to prevent and/or deal with crisis situations should they arise.
One of the key principles of the FCSS Program is local responsibility in priority-setting and resource allocation. FCSS emphasizes local decision-making for programming, based on the belief that communities have the desire, energy and resources to build community capacity. Each municipality or Metis Settlement, therefore, determines how the dollars they receive should be allocated to best meet local needs.
Who benefits from FCSS?
Programs funded by FCSS provide preventive services to all age groups and people from all walks of life, such as family counselling for persons in distress, care for isolated seniors, and support for children and youth.
Why focus on prevention?
Research shows that an investment of $1 in preventive services yields a $7 return in avoided costs such as police, justice, additional treatment and increased productivity in employment and contribution to society.
Who manages FCSS programs?
The Town of Pincher Creek FCSS manages the FCSS funding programs for the Town, the Municipal District of Pincher Creek #9, and the Village of Cowley. The Town also collaborates with agencies and the community to better understand the magnitude of social issues and how best to respond to them.
The FCSS Board of Directors, with representation from the Town of Pincher Creek, Municipal District of Pincher Creek, Cowley, and four members at large from the community, reviews funding requests from social agencies and selects projects for funding.
What types of programs and services will FCSS fund?
In addition to being consistent with the FCSS Act, programs and services must:
- Be consistent with the funding priorities of the Town and Municipal District of Pincher Creek and the Village of Cowley
- Be collaborative and not duplicate existing programs
- Involve volunteers
- Leverage additional funds to assist with program costs
- State objectives in measurable terms
- Demonstrate the capacity to achieve stated outcomes
- Demonstrate good governance and administration
2024 Funding Application
Deadling is September 15 at 4 p.m.
(Clicking on these links will download the file to your computer)
Additional Information
Needs Assessments- Child Care Needs Assesment
- Child Care Proposal September 2017
- Social Needs Assesment March 2020
- Community Health Needs Assessment
Provincial Websites
Contact Information
The Pincher Creek and District FCSS office is located at the Town of Pincher Creek Administrative Office (962 St. John Avenue)
FCSS Coordinator: Andrea Hlady
Mailing Address: |
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Box 2841 |
Phone: |
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(403) 627-3156 |
Email: |
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