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FCSS INVESTMENT PRIORITIES
The Social Sustainability Framework 2018: A Map for the Road Ahead, which guided our work from 2019 to 2022, will continue to guide our work from 2023 to 2026. The 2018 framework identified two overarching priorities for FCSS: increased social inclusion and increased community capacity and collaboration. However, the 2023 to 2026 overarching priority for FCSS is Increased Social Inclusion.
Increased social inclusion is achieved through:
1. Preventive Programs and Services
2. Community Development Initiatives
3. System Planning and Integration
Through the provision of funding for preventive programs and services, community development initiatives, and intentional system planning and integration, Grande Prairie FCSS aims to foster the growth and development of individuals and families, strengthen the community, and build a coordinated and collaborative sector. These efforts will contribute to the overall well-being, resilience, and interconnectedness of the community:
• Individual and Family Resilience ensures people have the means to cope with the ups and downs of the day–to–day life. They have the tools to navigate their way to the right resources and programs when required which increases internal capacity to respond to mental, physical, and emotional stresses. “As a practical example, this means that when your vehicle breaks down, you have resources to deal with the problem. You may call a tow service. You may call a friend or family member to come to get you. You may have the skills to repair it yourself or know someone who can help make the repairs or have the financial resources to have the car repaired in a shop”.10
• Increased Community Capacity Building community capacity may involve initiatives such as providing training and education programs, fostering leadership development, supporting local organizations, promoting civic engagement, and facilitating collaboration among community stakeholders. By strengthening community capacity, communities can better respond to challenges, maximize opportunities, and create positive and lasting social change. Increased community capacity refers to the development and strengthening of resources, skills, and capabilities within a community to effectively address its needs and challenges. It involves empowering individuals, organizations, and networks to collaborate, take action, and make positive changes within their community.
• A Coordinated Sector aims to provide coordination and collaboration to appropriately triage individuals and families seeking social or health support to the right services, at the right time. This means that no matter where an individual goes looking for help, they are likely to receive the same answers and a referral pathway to access the right services and support as quickly and easily as possible. The City of Grande Prairie is one of the first communities to attempt Coordinated Access (the Grande Prairie and Area Community Compass), we fully expect to learn, evaluate, and finetune the processes as we shift our work in this new direction. Therefore, we are committed to working with stakeholders to identify ways in which collaboration and coordination can facilitate systems change.
