Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)

What is FCSS?

FCSS is a unique 80/20 funding partnership between the Government of Alberta and our municipality.

At the local level, Big Valley’s Council chooses whether to establish a Program and enters into an agreement with the Province to jointly fund FCSS activities. 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 programs developed are intended to help individuals within their communities 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.

Within the parameters of the FCSS Act and Regulation, Big Valley determines how much of the available grant allocation it will access from the Province and how this funding should be allocated to best meet the needs of our community. Final authority and responsibility for how our local FCSS Programs will be administered and delivered rests with Council.

Who is eligible for funding?

Services provided under an FCSS-funded program must:

(a) be of preventive nature that enhances the social well-being of individuals and families through promotion or intervention strategies provided at the earliest opportunity, and
(b) do one or more of the following:

(i) help people to develop independence, strengthen coping skills and become more resistant to crisis;
(ii) help people to develop an awareness of social needs;
(iii) help people to develop interpersonal and group skills which enhance constructive relationships among people;
(iv) help people and communities to assume responsibility for decisions and actions which affect them;
(v) provide supports that help sustain people as active participants in the community.

Services provided under an FCSS-funded program must not:

(a) provide primarily for the recreation needs or leisure time pursuits of individuals;
(b) offer direct assistance, including money, food, clothing or shelter, to sustain an individual or family;
(c) be primarily rehabilitative in nature; or
(d) duplicate services that are ordinarily provided by a government or government agency.

Expenditures of the program shall not include:

(a) the purchase of land or buildings;
(b) the construction or renovation of a building;
(c) the purchase of motor vehicles;
(d) any costs required to sustain an organization that do not relate to direct service delivery under the program;
(e) municipal property taxes and levies; or
(f) any payments to a member of a board or committee other than reimbursement for expenses.

How can I apply?

If your community program is eligible under the above regulations, please apply today! Application forms can be returned to our office.
Applications are considered throughout the year at monthly Council Meetings.
FCSS Application Form (MS Word)

Past Funding Recipients

Some of the programs that have received FCSS funding in the Village of Big Valley include:

  • Big Valley Library – 1,2,3 Sing With Me; After School Reading Program; Summer Reading Program; Spring Fling
  • Big Valley Agricultural Society – Family Fun Skate
  • Big Valley Drop In Centre – Senior’s Dinner; Pancake Supper
  • Big Valley Legion – Senior’s Dinner, Veteran’s Dinner
  • Big Valley Rodeo Assosication – Colin Cassidy Memorial
  • Big Valley E-Free Church – Youth Programs
  • Big Valley United Church – Youth Programs
  • Hivernant Metis Cultural Society – Hivernant Rendesvous

…and many more!