Resources
Join Us! ALIGN's Spring Membership Meeting May 30th (ZOOM)
Join us May 30th on ZOOM! This is an excellent opportunity to hear exciting updates on ALIGN Activities, including OHS and Well-Being—plus a special presentation from the Centre for Autism Services Alberta. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and be inspired!
ALIGN Presenting at the 2025 Symposium on Child & Youth Trauma May 1st Montreal
This presentation, May 1, 2025 in Montreal, is designed to support First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities looking to take over jurisdiction of their child welfare services under Bill C-92. The toolkit integrates traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern practices.
Don't Delay! ALIGN's OHS Survey Deadline May 30, 2025
Please take a moment to complete this brief survey to help ALIGN learn about the progress of occupational health and safety (OHS) within sector agencies.
ALIGN CONNECTIONS For Indigenous Children/Youth & Caregivers April 2025
CONNECTIONS is monthly newsletter designed to support Foster and Kinship Caregivers to ensure First Nations, Metis & Inuit children in their care have access to cultural resources, activities and events that broaden their cultural awareness.
ALIGN's Well-Being in Child and Family Services Toolkit
The way we define and understand child and youth well-being matters.
ALIGN's Indigenous Cultural Understanding Framework (ICUF)
A Digital Interactive Journey to increase cultural understanding within Alberta agencies so that all Indigenous children living in Alberta can live in dignity and respect, supported by people with a deeper understanding of Indigenous worldviews, history and current reality.
ALIGN OHS Leadership Awareness Series Online Training
Learn more about OHS duties, best practices, legislation, prevention plans and more with these seven online modules from ALIGN!
ALIGN’s Well-Being Toolkit Community of Practice (CoP)
The CoP is an informal community of like-minded practitioners and evaluators in the child and family serving sector who are interested in growing their organization’s impact on child and youth well-being.
5 Considerations for Organizations Who Advocate for Vulnerable Children, Youth and Families (ALIGN)
Advocating for vulnerable children, youth, and families requires innovation, collaboration, and intersectional approaches to address complex challenges. As the world continues to evolve, it is essential to stay adaptive and employ strategies that can navigate the current landscape. Here are some of the best ways to advocate for vulnerable groups.
ALIGN Report "Empowering Futures: Gatherings for Indigenous Child Welfare Sovereignty" April 2025
The ALIGN gathering, Empowering Futures Gatherings in Treaty 6 (Edmonton) and Treaty 7 (Calgary), focused on Indigenous Child Welfare Sovereignty, allowing us to engage in deep discussions about Indigenous jurisdiction over child welfare, the barriers and opportunities in Alberta, and what meaningful action looks like moving forward.
ALIGN Empowering Futures Presentation Materials
This event allowed us to engage in deep discussions about Indigenous jurisdiction over child welfare, the barriers and opportunities in Alberta, and what meaningful action looks like moving forward.
Join Us! ALIGN Regional Chapter Meetings
We invite all ALIGN Association to participate in Regional Chapter Meetings. ALIGN chapter meetings serve as a vital platform for collaboration, learning, advocacy, and enhancing the effectiveness of non-profit and charitable agencies. We are stronger together!
ALIGN's OHS Community of Practice (CoP)
Communities of practice often focus on sharing best practices and creating new knowledge to advance a domain of professional practice. Interaction on an ongoing basis is an important part of this.
ALIGN Online Training – RFP Essentials & Analyzing an RFP Opportunity
ALIGN Association's RFP online training, is self-directed as a voice-over PowerPoint you can take at your own pace. Developed & delivered by Three E Training Inc.
ALIGN & Partners Community Services Staff Safety Initiative (CSSSI) Training and Resources
On behalf of ACDS, ALIGN, and the Government of Alberta Ministries of Children’s Services and Community and Social Services, we are pleased to share these resources that are available through the Community Services Staff Safety Initiative (CSSSI), which aims to increase staff safety and reduce harassment and violence in community services workplaces in Alberta.
ALIGN's Alberta Provincial Advocacy Toolkit: Forming a Successful Community Action Network
The objective of this guide will be to provide members of ALIGN with the knowledge and confidence to form a successful Community Action Network.
New Puzzles! ALIGN's Indigenous Online Jigsaw Puzzles For All Ages and Skill Levels
The best thing about jigsaw puzzles is that they require you to slow down and look at all the details as you piece the whole picture together. In a fast moving world filled with photos and graphics this is an opportunity for children, youth and adults to relax and appreciate the details of the traditional regalia, food, animals, teepees, totem poles and more!
The Role of Mentoring for Foster Parents & Why It Matters (ALIGN)
Mentoring children and youth offers significant value, both for the individuals involved and for society as a whole. Below are some of the key benefits of mentoring:
ALIGN Introduction to Child Intervention In Alberta Online Self Study Guide
This self-paces online self-study guide is an orientation for those new to the work with children and families in Alberta.
10 Well-Being Strategies for Frontline Workers Who Support Children/Youth Experiencing Trauma (ALIGN)
ALIGN Association knows frontline workers who support children experiencing trauma often face significant emotional, psychological, and physical challenges in their roles. It’s essential for them to prioritize self-care to maintain their own well-being and continue offering high-quality care. Here are ten strategies for frontline workers to take care of their own well-being in the workplace:
"Year in Reconciliation: Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Ahead" (ALIGN “Reconciliation Talks” Blog)
As 2024 draws to a close, ALIGN Association of Community Services reflects on an impactful year dedicated to advancing Truth and Reconciliation. Through collaboration, learning, and action, we’ve deepened our relationships with Indigenous communities, expanded our resources, and championed culturally relevant practices in child and family services. Whether you’ve been part of this journey or are just joining us, we warmly invite you to reflect with us and look forward to an exciting 2025.
Well-Being EBlast December 2024 The Village: Supporting Staff in Seeing the Impact
This month we feature Val Crosby, Executive Director of The High Level Toy Lending Library, which currently provides Mackenzie Family Resource Network (MFRN) services
Caring for Foster Kids During the Holidays: Bringing Joy and Stability to Their Lives
As a caregiver, fostering a sense of joy, comfort, and security during the holidays can make a world of difference.
Online Indigenous Advent Calendar
Updated annually, this online advent calendar is great fun for kids and anyone wanting to learn more about First Nations, Metis or Inuit culture
Celebrating Success at the "Our Children, Our Way" Conference
We were honored to present at the Our Children, Our Way conference this year, hosted by the incredible Mary Teegee and her team. Mary, a recent presenter at ALIGN’s own Walking the Children Home event, graciously invited us to share our work, and we were thrilled to connect with so many passionate professionals and community members dedicated to Indigenous child and family well-being.
ALIGN’s Ongoing Engagement Executive Director’s Update: Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly
We are pleased to share that ALIGN recently attended the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) on Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program, held from October 16-18, 2024, on Treaty 7 Territory, in Calgary, Alberta.
Presentation From ALIGN's OHS Showcase
Thanks to attendees and presenters at ALIGN's 2nd Annual Health and Safety Showcase Day October 24, 2024 in Red Deer where we had an engaging safety conversations with experts and colleagues!
MCHB: Centering Stories in an Ecological Framework (ALIGN's Well-Being Eblast Oct. 2024)
This month we feature Hannah Goa’s experience of piloting the toolkit at the Multicultural Health Broker Cooperative (MCHB) in Edmonton. Hannah has been supporting the Intercultural FRN work for the past 4 years and is responsible for reporting to funders. She became interested in joining the toolkit pilot group to inspire her work on their Evaluation Framework that uniquely reflects the values and principles of cultural brokering.
ALIGN Association Annual Report 2023-2024
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated board of directors, employees, contractors, members, partners, and supporters whose unwavering commitment has been crucial to our success this year. Together, we look forward to building on our achievements and advancing our mission in the coming year.
2024 Alberta Foster and Kinship Association Flag-Raising Ceremony
October is Foster and Kinship Caregiver Month in Alberta!
Listen to Tanya Tourangeau ALIGN's Reconciliation Consultant on CFWE Radio
ALIGN’s Reconciliation Strategist Consultant Tanya Tourangeau, recently did an interview with CFWE and you don’t want to miss this! Learn more about ALIGN’s Empowering Futures: A Gathering for Indigenous Child Welfare Sovereignty
ALIGN WCB Series 2024 Follow-Up: Related Resources & Presentation Materials
Feb 14, 2024 Session Intro to WCB, presented by Erin Eden and Alastair Hopwood from WCB and February 29, 2024 session Psychological Health in the Workplace presented by Amanda Wyatt, supported by Alastair Hopwood from WCB
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society: Growing Organizational Well-Being (ALIGN’s Well-Being eBlast Sept 2024)
This month we feature Jill Robinson's experiencing of piloting the toolkit with managers using components of the tool-kit to better understand how to promote staff well-being.
ALIGN Statement: Nurturing Children’s Needs: Analyzing the Connection of Gender Policy in Alberta
Understanding the Importance of Gender Policy in Alberta: Promoting Children's Rights and Well-Being
WJS: Using Well-Being Domains to Share Stories & Build Community (ALIGN's Well-Being eBlast August 2024)
This month we feature Aaron Hachkowski’s experience of piloting the toolkit at WJS. Aaron is a Program Director and oversees sites across Alberta and Ontario. He found that gathering stories for each of the toolkit’s seven well-being domains was a way to support learning and community between very diverse sites