2012 FCSS Annual Outcome Report

Preventative Social Programs

create stronger communities

Stronger Communities work together

Valuable Volunteers support social programs and stronger communities

Table of Contents

Section 2

2 From the Chair

3 FCSS…The People and The Program

4 The Numbers

5 Financial Information

6 FCSS Project and Service Groups

Section 1

7 For Children

8 For Youth

9 For Adults and Families

10 For Seniors

11 Community Development

12 Community Initiatives

2 From the Chair

I am pleased to share with you the 2012 FCSS Annual Outcome Report Each year, the Family and Community Support Services Board (FCSSB) review FCSS funding applications from community social service groups and organization. Although not always an easy task to determine where to allocate funds, in 2012 the FCSSB distributed $81,595.00 to various prevention-based community programs. Municipal delivered FCSS programs and community grant program funds enabled 5,203 indi-viduals and families to access community support services and programs. In addition, FCSS funds were leveraged to provide opportunities for residents to be actively involved in our com-munity through volunteerism. In 2012 volunteers contributed 4,372 hours to community pro-grams and services. On behalf of the members of the Family and Community Support Services Board, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation and gratitude to all of our community partners and volun-teers for their continued efforts in making our Town a place for community and opportunity.

Respectfully,

Sue Bornn, Chair Sylvan Lake & Summer Villages Family & Community Support Services Board

3 FCSS…The People And The Programs

Preventive social programs,

where people gain new skills and knowledge along the way, create stronger communities. The Town of Sylvan Lake and Summer Villages Family and Community Support Services provides funding for five municipal programs and eleven programs delivered by eight organizations fo-cused on children, youth, families, seniors and volunteers in our community.

Stronger communities work together to prevent social problems and provide opportunities for children, youth, fami-lies, adults and seniors to fully participate in the community.

Volunteers make social programs and strong communities possible by giving their time and expertise to others. Volunteers benefit from learning new skills and recognition of their valuable contribu-tions to our community. The Town of Sylvan Lake supports the volunteer component of several programs including Snow Angels, Sylvan Lake Playgroup Society, Seniors Association, Collec-tive Kitchen and Rainbows Program

4 The Number

People were served through telephone and walk in consultation with FCSS programs and services at the Family and Community Centre

Individuals participated in person in 5 municipal and 11 FCSS funded preven-tative social programs delivered by 8 community groups and nonprofit organi-zations

Total participant visits to FCSS funded programs and services in 2012

FCSS collects information about the number of individual persons who have accessed services from FCSS funded programs. It is important to note that an individual per-son may be counted multiple times if he/she has accessed several FCSS funded pro-grams or have attended a program multiple times

Resulting in …

Youth Centre 11% Volunteer

Centre 29%

Healthy Families

2%

Parent Place 5% Community Resources 28%

Youth Services 22%

Seniors 23% Volunteer

Center 11%

Community Resources

5%

Children 0-6 14%

Youth 7-17 32%

Adults Fami-lies 15%

5 Financial Information

Funding for preventive

social programs in Alberta is provided through a partnership between the Province and the Town of Sylvan Lake. For each dollar from the province, the Town of Sylvan Lake is required to contribute 25 cents. In 2012, the Town of Sylvan Lake invested $62,324 and $249,296 from the Province’s Family and Commu-nity Support Services (FCSS) funds in 16 preventive social programs designed to strengthen the commu-nity’s social fabric.

FCSS Provincial and Municipal Funding $311,620.00

Management 7%

FCSS Community Pro-grams and Services

93%

FCSS Community Programs and Services $288,829.00

Community Development 32%

Children & Youth, Adults Families & Seniors 68%

FCSS Funded Community Programs and Age Groups

Community Resource Centre 10%

Volunteer Centre 20%

Program Support 2%

Adults and Seniors

14%

Adults and Families 14%

Child/Youth 7-17 25%

Children 0-6 15%

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FCSS Preventive Social Program Funding

Forty per cent of FCSS funds were allocated to children and youth, 14 per cent to families and adults, 14 per cent to seniors, 10 percent to community resource centre, 20 per cent to volunteer programs. From supporting families and children in becoming more resistant to crisis, giving youth a voice, community projects to helping seniors, FCSS funding was allocated in a way that strengthened our community, individuals and families.

Percentage of Funding by FCSS Project and Service Groups

Community Development

32%

Adults/Seniors 55+ 14% Adults/Families

20-54 14%

Children/Youth 0-19 40%

Sylvan Lake 2011 Census Population Groups

Sylvan Lake Population 12,327 2011 Census

Adults /Seniors 55+ 15%

Adults /Families 20 -54 54%

Children /Youth 0-19 31%

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For Children 0-6

The Funded Programs

Playgroup & CHIPS

CHIPS drop in programs support early social development through play where children are encouraged to run, climb, bike, and have an opportunity to make new friends. In 2012, there were 8,160 visits to the CHIPS program; 5,817 by children and 2,343 by adults.

Playgroups are registered monthly sessions where children and parent have opportunities to try on social skills and to experiment with art, pre-science, pre-math, and pre-reading materials. There were 2,296 visits to the Playgroup programs in 2012.

”The CHIPS program allowed me and my daughter to get out in the winter and socialize, my daughter made new friends and so did I. Being new to Sylvan Lake this program helped us meet other people” - Andrea

Parent Place - Family Resource Centre

285 children and 47 adults attended a variety of registered Parent Place programs. 109 children and 45 adults attended Parent Place drop in programs The Parent Place Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) undertook a promotion campaign for the opening of the Toy Lending Library and summer programs. PAC members distributed the Toy Lending and program information at the weekly Farmers Market and at the Annual Fall Community Information Fair.

“I feel more confident in my parenting and being involved helped my son not be so intimidated about doing new things” - Pam

Healthy Families Home Visitation Program

The Healthy Families program is voluntary home visitation program designed to support parents in providing a nurturing, stimulating and safe environment for their children prenatally to the age of 5. 32 families were involved the home visitation program.

“I always enjoy the home visits and I have learned quite a lot; this is a great program for us mom's” ~ Gayle

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For Youth 7-17 Youth Services and Youth Centre The Youth Centre located on the second floor of the Family & Community Centre was open 308 days in 2012 for drop in and afterschool programming opportunities for children and youth ages 7-17. In 2012 366 individual youth regularly attended drop in activities on average 3 times per week (3,806 visits) at the cen-tre. There were 150 first time - new faces to programs at the youth centre this year. The Youth Centre is also home to the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) and Leaders in Training (LIT). Sup-ported by Youth Services staff these groups help guide programming for youth and build on individual lead-ership skills. LIT’s and YAC members were active in planning of the 2012 “iLead: The Playlists of Our Lives” Youth Conference which was attended by 50 Sylvan Lake and Central Alberta youth.

The Leaders in Training (L.I.T.) Program provides youth aged 13-18 with the opportunity to learn leadership skills and gain valuable work experience while making a difference in their community. Leaders in Training work side-by-side with Youth Leaders to provide quality programs that enhance the lives of the youth in our community. Leaders in Training also sit on the Youth Advisory Council and help plan events and activities for all youth in Sylvan Lake. The training consists of an application process, interview and 2 days of comprehen-sive workshops, followed by 15 hours of volunteer work in a Youth Services Pro-gram. – Youth Services Coordinator

Here is what L.I.T.'s had to say about their experiences: “I feel like part of the team. The Youth Centre is a place where I feel like I’m needed.”

-Jessica “I feel like I make a difference. I love how the kids scream my name

when I walk in the door.” -Cassidy

“I have really learned a lot from working in the Youth Programs. I am

a lot more patient and confident.” -Brendan

“Working at the Youth Centre is going to help me in the future. It will

look great on a resume and it has taught me how to work with all different types of people.”

-Annika “Working at the Youth Centre is harder than I thought it would be. It’s

more than just playing with kids. Some of the kids are challenging and don’t want to follow the rules. The training helped me to learn how to deal with prob-lems and to look to the staff for help when I need it.”

-Jen “I am 10 times happier since I started working at the Youth Centre”

-Lily

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For Adults & Families

Rainbows

Guiding kids through life’s storms – from hurt through to healing, and through to hope. This program sup-ports children and their families who have suffered significant loss due to death, divorce, or separation. It is not counseling or therapy. It is a peer support group led by trained, caring adult facilitators. There were 61 participants in Rainbows programs in 2012.

Collective Kitchens Kitchens are about much more than coming together to plan and prepare nutritious meals. Good things happen when people gather to cook for themselves, and for each other; whether it’s learning about nutri-tion, building social connections, developing life skills or saving money. “This program made life easier. We don't eat fast food anymore.”

“I would not have the friends I have, and I would not have saved money, and I would not be having as many family dinners”

Family School Wellness (FSW)

The FSW program collaborates with community to provide preventative social programming and early in-tervention services to families with children aged 0-18 years. FSW workers often meet with children and families in school and community settings or in the family home.

In 2012, FSW Workers had 309 individuals single support sessions with children, youth and parents; 378 required short term support and referral to other health or family services.

Adult Grief Support In 2012, several individuals participated in the eight session program designed to support adults experienc-ing loss of a family member or of a significant other. Women’s Wellness Retreat This year, the 10th annual Women’s Wellness Retreat was held in Sylvan Lake. There were 105 women in attendance. 14 sessions were available focusing on health, prevention, and active engaged living.

“It is so great to have something like this available to women in our own community.” ~Retreat Participant

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For Seniors Seniors Centre Program Coordinator

The Sylvan Lake Seniors Centre offers drop-in no cost programs for adults aged 55+ from Monday through to Friday. Activities include; a monthly speaker series, Wii Bowling, cards, scrabble, and Sit and Fit as well as many others.

“We hosted information sessions at the centre with Alberta Government Seniors Program Advisor Corina Cole as well as Pam Greenwood, Citizens Services Specialist. They spoke about seniors funding programs” “Two sessions were held, one in the afternoon and again in the evening. Having 2 options proved to be beneficial for getting people to the sessions” - Program Coordinator

~ Jill Reidy, Program Coordinator

Seniors Resource Centre

This Resource Centre provided confidential volunteer assistance to 327 seniors seeking resources and support in completing applications for the Alberta Seniors Benefit Program, special needs assistance for seniors, and dental or optical programs.

Seniors Week This weeklong celebration is held annually on the 1st week of June to recognize the contributions of seniors within our communities. In 2012, members of the Seniors Advisory Committee (Sylvan Lake Seniors Association, Sylvan Lake Lodge, and F.C.S.S.) collaborated to provide several opportunities to honour our local seniors. These in-cluded a pancake breakfast and a barbecue at the Seniors Centre, and the annual Strawberry Tea at the Lodge; to name a few. There were 692 total participants in all of the Seniors Week activities.

Home Support

The Home Support program provided 1083 hours of services to 29 seniors in its second full year of operation in 2012; almost twice the 645 service hours in 2011. The program offers light housecleaning services on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis and is designed to provide homemaking services that are affordable to assist adults, sen-iors, and other eligible individuals to remain in their home as long as possible; if that is their wish.

Life Line

Life Line is an easy to use low cost medical alarm service that helps adults and seniors to live independently and safely in their home. In 2012, there were 50 individuals using the Life Line program; 6 were new to the program.

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Community Development

Volunteers are connected with a variety of opportunities through the on line Volunteer Com-munity Hub and at the Sylvan Lake Volunteer Centre. Local not-for-profit organizations benefit from vol-unteer and board development workshops, recognition and community volunteer programs. FCSS funds the volunteer component of several programs including Snow Angels, Sylvan Lake Playgroup Society, Seniors Association, Collective Kitchen and Rainbows Program Community Resource Centre (CRC) CRC at the Family & Community Centre offers support to individuals and families to find a needed service or a resource. In 2012 the top three calls for information were housing (236), counselling service (37) and financial assistance (23). CRC provides support to three community building initiatives projects including Growing Green Neighbours, Family Violence & Bullying Coalition and EC Mapping Coalition. More infor-mation about the activities of these initiatives can be found under on pages 12 /13 Community Initiatives - Projects.

The 2012 Community Needs Assessment Survey was distributed to over 7400 Sylvan Lake, Summer Villages and Red Deer County households in mid-May, 2012. A total of 862 surveys were returned, 638 from Sylvan Lake residents and 224 Summer Village ad Red Deer County residents the largest survey area and response to date for our tri-annual household survey!

The 2012 survey examined a variety of issues to determine how and why residents use community services and what issues are important to the community. The following are a few of the key findings from the study

• A strong sense of community exists among Sylvan Lake and Area residents, • Residents express preference to access services in Sylvan Lake, • Drop In sports, art and music activities are appealing to residents, • Many residents would choose to live in Sylvan Lake into old age, • Residents grapple with many different challenges that effect their lives i.e. being physically inac-

tive, too much stress, too much debt and not having access to healthy food.

Community Initiatives - Projects 12

Family Violence & Bullying Coalition (SL FV&B Coalition)

The SL Family Violence & Bullying Coalition was formed in March 2011 bringing together community stake-holders and interested parties. In 2012, the Coalition reviewed and updated their Terms of Reference and Stra-tegic Plan, and with guidance from the Alberta Mentoring Partnership, sought funding for a community based mentorship program. This application for funding was not successful.

The Coalition hosted a regional Family Violence & Bul-lying 101 training that was facilitated by Chris Lilly, Pre-vention of Family Violence & Bullying Coordinator for Central Alberta CFSA. This training was for front line workers who may receive disclosures of abuse or bully-ing. There were 26 representatives from local and re-gional service agencies in attendance.

On the evening of Thursday, November 29, 68 community members participated in a set of one hour sessions that were designed to provide an opportunity to become more familiar with the issues of family violence and bullying.

Avery Acheson of Central Alberta Refuge Effort and a member of the SL FV&B Coalition, led 26 local youth and some parents through a session en-titled, Rise above Bullying. The session provided a variety of bullying scenarios that allowed youth to problem solve and to consider ‘what could have been done differently’.

Ian Wheeliker, Executive Director of the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter spoke to a group of 35 community members about the effects of family violence on the development of young children

We’re All in This Together Event. Youth partici-pants were asked, “If bullying no longer existed in Sylvan Lake, what would that look like?” They ex-pressed their thoughts on canvas. When asked what they thought of the evening, one youth offered the time had been, ‘meaningful’.

Sylvan Lake Early Childhood Coalition (SL&AECC)

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The SL&AECC made great strides in 2012 toward meeting their project goals. The project was successful in securing grant funding in the amount of $50,000 from Alberta Education; and $6,400 through United Way of Central Alberta. With grant funding the Coalition was able to hire a Project Coordinator to begin gathering information about local assets (programs/services/supports) for families with children 0-6 years of age, present results of the Sylvan Lake and Area Early Development In-strument (EDI) and to promote the importance of the early years.

Growing Green Neighbours is a small committed group of volunteers and community programs working together to address food security issues. The focus of GGN over the past year has been on the establishing a Community Garden and organizing regular Community Suppers. With an increased interest in community gardening most of the garden plots are shared (2 families per plot). The total number of families gardening in 2012 was 17; up from 5 in 2011. GGN received a grant in 2012 from the Alberta Rural Community Garden Project to purchase needed garden tools, and a garden shed for the Community and Chil-dren’s gardens on site. Some new gardeners expressed that the garden has given them an opportunity to be connected and to so-cialize. GGN Community Suppers were hosted at the Family and Community Centre and are popular with young families and seniors alike. Planning and coordinating the suppers rely on a variety of volunteer support from shoppers to cooks and entertainment. Community Sup-pers and will be of importance for the GGN group again in 2013.

Growing Green Neighbours (GGN)

Community and Social Development Department

Town of Sylvan Lake

4926-50 Avenue Sylvan Lake Alberta T4S 1A1

T 403-887-1137

www.sylvanlake.ca