FCSS to invest in current programs

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Fears and uncertainty regarding funding after last year’s Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) announcement of the discontinuation of external funds to existing community programs diminished when the organization had a change of heart and funnelled funds back into the community.
Last September, the provincial government provided the FCSSs in Alberta with a healthy cash injection of an additional $10 million, totalling $86 million in government funds overall. Shortly after, a letter from FCSS sent to Strathmore’s non-profit organizations stated that funding provided previously would no longer continue except in support of new initiatives. The announcement in a faltering economy fuelled anger and worry among the local organizations – many fearing the possible dissolution of their programs. Strathmore FCSS had received $18,000 in additional funds and after the budget workshop in November 2015, the organization changed their course of action and strengthened currently existing Strathmore initiatives and programs.
“They’re meeting needs in the community that our community members need, it’s that cut and dry,” said Catherine Walsh, Strathmore FCSS coordinator.
“There’s no one else offering their services and they depend on FCSS funding to continue those services in town. We don’t want to see programs go without funding.”
The Growing Families Society, an umbrella organization consisting of the 5 for Life Coalition, Bridging the Gap, and Growing Opportunities programs, was among those contemplating the survival of certain aspects of some of their programs. Although the society continues to wait on further grant funding, a $15,000 donation from FCSS ensures the program will continue to operate.
“It was a relief because now we can keep things going, we can keep progressing for a little bit longer, but we’re stumbling along,” said Margo Sevcik, president of the Growing Families Society.
“$15,000 has come to Growing Families from FCSS but we have to split it among all these other programs that are doing well. The government’s getting really good bang for their dollar when they give us funds, we just need to secure a few more grants. The problem is going to come up again next year, because the government grants run on a yearly basis.”
The Growing Families Society was one of a few recipients that received funding from the Strathmore FCSS. Recently, the United Way also divided up $56,000 among 12 organizations, which included the 5 for Life coalition, Bridging the Gap, and Growing Opportunities. Other programs included the Strathmore Municipal Library, School Fuel, Roots of Empathy, and the Youth Club of Strathmore.
According to Walsh, W. Brett Wilson once again invested money into Strathmore’s non-profit organizations. While the funding was welcomed, Sevcik said the recently vacated position of life-skills worker is still not posted as money for the position is not currently available. Furthermore, one of their programs may be acquired by another organization as the Growing Families Society no longer has the administrative support to keep the program operational.
“It would be nice to have block-funding so we know that we’re on a three-year basis, and it doesn’t even necessarily need to be guaranteed but to say, ‘you guys are a good program we want to keep you going as long as our budget stays the same we’ll keep giving you the same amount of money,’” Sevcik said. “If you think of the Bridging the Gap program there’s that sense of community that the program provides to the seniors by linking them so they have lunch club. It’s not just the meal that’s feeding them, it’s the sense of community that’s feeding them.
FCSS is currently in the process of a needs assessment and depending on the results said it could affect their spending in the future.