Resources & Updates
ALIGN's OHS Community of Practice (CoP)
Next meeting Sept. 23 on ZOOM. 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.
Ways to Honor National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2025
Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. In 2025, Truth and Reconciliation Week will be observed from September 22 to 26. Explore upcoming events, discover how to host your own, and access ALIGN’s Indigenous Cultural Understanding resources, along with additional tools to strengthen your organization’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
Indigenous Games & Activities Directory for Children & Youth (ALIGN)
In honor of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, ALIGN hopes to encourage both Indigenous and non-Indigenous children and youth alike to learn more about Indigenous culture through fun and play.
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 Association Golf Tournament
We are thrilled to invite you to join us for the upcoming ALIGN Association Golf Tournament September 18, 2025. Join us for a day of camaraderie, friendly competition, and fun on the fairways!
Join Us! ALIGN AGM September 19, 2025 Red Deer
We warmly invite all members to attend our upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM), an important opportunity to reflect on our achievements, discuss future plans, and ensure your voice is heard in shaping the direction of our organization.
Why Attending Membership Meetings Matters. (ALIGN)
Membership organizations flourish when their members are actively engaged and involved. Participation and staying informed not only strengthen the organization, but also make it more responsive and effective in achieving its mission. Here are some key benefits of attending membership meetings:
Experiencing Homelessness for Families with Disabled Children (ALIGN)
Homelessness significantly worsens the challenges faced by families with disabled children, increasing stress, disrupting routines, and limiting access to essential resources and support systems. Children with disabilities are more vulnerable to the negative impacts of homelessness, potentially facing long-term consequences for their physical and mental health, education, and overall development.
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 CONNECTIONS For Indigenous Children/Youth & Caregivers - Special Summer Edition (August)
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’s Well-Being Toolkit Community of Practice (CoP)
The Well-Being Community of Practice (CoP) is intended for service providers who are currently implementing ALIGN Association's Well-Being Toolkit. A Community of Practice (CoP) is an informal learning space where like-minded practitioners come together to share experiences, challenges, tools, and promising practices. The Well-Being Community of Practice focuses on strengthening the impact of child- and family-serving organizations on child and youth well-being.
ALIGN's Sector Grant Directory
ALIGN's Grant Directory is a comprehensive resource designed to empower and support the diverse for-profit and nonprofit organizations across our province.
Natural Disaster Emergency Preparedness for Agencies
Emergency preparedness for forest fires, heat waves, floods and tornados is critically important for human service agencies that serve children, youth, and families. These populations are especially vulnerable during disasters, and agencies must be equipped to protect their safety, ensure service continuity, and support long-term recovery.
ALIGN CONNECTIONS For Indigenous Children/Youth & Caregivers June 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.
Meet ALIGN's Corporate Members
Through generous contributions and strategic partnerships, ALIGN's corporate members help strengthen the financial sustainability and the sector-wide reach and impact of our programs.
ALIGN's 20 Great Ways for Children, Youth & Families to Honour National Indigenous History Month
Check out this fun, interactive, flip-card activity for children, youth and families! This June is everyone's opportunity to recognize and honour the achievements, history and rich cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.
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 CONNECTIONS For Indigenous Children/Youth & Caregivers May 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 & 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 Presentation of the Well-Being Toolkit at the 2025 Symposium on Child & Youth Trauma
ALIGN would like to extend our sincere thanks to the 2025 Symposium on Child & Youth Trauma conference planners for creating a meaningful and collaborative space and opportunity to share the ALIGN Well-Being Toolkit with attendees. It was a privilege to share our work with such an engaged and thoughtful audience, and we deeply appreciate the platform to discuss tools that support the well-being of First Nations, Metis and Inuit children and youth and the integration of traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern practices.
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.
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 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'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.
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.
ALIGN CONNECTIONS For Indigenous Children/Youth & Caregivers December 2024
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.
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
