Over $400,000 has been granted to several local social services programs from Stettler and District Family and Community Support Services for 2010.
A total of $408,140 was awarded to eight community programs at the regular board meeting of FCSS on Nov. 23 when Town of Stettler Councillor Darcy Bachman was elected the new chair.
“We were able to approve the full funding requests because we have a provincial employment contract, so it gives us more funding to support programs,” said Faye Blakely, administrator for FCSS.
“This is a significant increase from this year when we granted 362,360.”
“We fund $70,000 to $90,000 over and above what we receive from the government.”
For this year, Stettler and District FCSS approved funding to Heartland Youth Center, Stettler Information and Referral Center, home support, family counselor, daycare after-school program, Heartland Victim Services, Prevention of Family Violence and Alberta Communities Against Abuse.
FCSS expressed satisfaction with the ability to provide such a high amount of funding for next year.
Annual funding for FCSS often fluctuates significantly from one year to another as the provincial government reviews allocations every budget period.
“This year, we are able to provide this much funding,” said Blakely.
“We don’t know what will happen next year.”
Besides generously funding programs, FCSS has also recently updated its website to provide easy and accessible information about its programs and services.
Under its mission statement, Stettler and District Family and Community Support Services strives to build a better community by providing support to strengthen, enrich and enhance the quality of life and encourage the efforts of volunteers.