Resources & Updates
ALIGN CONNECTIONS For Indigenous Children/Youth & Caregivers November 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 is a Proud Partner in Strengthening Safety Across Alberta’s Child Intervention Sector
Alberta’s government is partnering with ALIGN Association of Community Services and the Continuing Care Safety Association to establish occupational health and safety programs for child intervention agencies providing facility-based care, enhanced workplace safety through trauma-informed and responsive safety practices, regulatory compliance education and other critical safety measures.
Showcasing the ALIGN Well-Being Toolkit Fall 2025
ALIGN Association of Community Services recently presented at two major national conferences this fall allowing us the opportunity to connect with leaders, practitioners, and partners from across Canada as we continue to share the impact of ALIGN's Well-Being Toolkit.
The 'Four Stories' Approach: A Conceptual Clinical Model for Moving Families and Caregivers Beyond Trauma
Little Warriors, in collaboration with the Scientific and Clinical Council, has successfully published a new article: "The 'Four Stories' Approach: A Conceptual Clinical Model for Moving Families and Caregivers Beyond Trauma," in the Clinical Social Work Journal!
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)
Next meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 10. 2025. 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.
Available Now! ALIGN's OCOW Presentation: Parallel Process: Leadership & Practice as Ceremony
On May 16, 2025, Our Children Our Way proudly hosted ALIGN Community Services of Alberta and Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society for a powerful webinar titled “Parallel Process: Leadership & Practice as Ceremony.” This session explored how leadership and service delivery can be deeply rooted in Indigenous worldviews and ceremonial practice.
Mattering in Early Childhood: Building a Strong Foundation for Life
This working paper from CDC Harvard University, co-authored with Jennifer B. Wallace, best-selling author and founder of the Mattering Institute, explores how mattering affects children's lifelong health and well-being.
ALIGN Introduction to Child Intervention In Alberta Online Self Study Guide
This self-paced online self-study guide is an orientation for those new to the work with children and families in Alberta.
New CFS Professional Referral Option for Child Abuse/Neglect
Children and Family Services (CFS) has introduced a new way for professionals to submit written referrals when there are concerns about child abuse or neglect.
ALIGN Honours Foster and Kinship Caregivers at Flag-Raising Ceremony
The annual ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth II building marks the start of caregiver appreciation month, which is recognized in October each year in Alberta.
Action Plan 2025-2030 Equitable Standards for Transitions to Adulthood (TAP) for Youth in Care
Developed by the Child Welfare League of Canada and the National Council of Youth in Care Advocates,
CCCYT Launching New Podcast Beyond the System: Former Youth in Care Empowered by Experience
Hosted by the CCCYT’s former youth in care advisory committee, this podcast raises awareness about trauma as it relates to (former) youth in care.
The Alberta Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act Policy Manual Revisions September 5, 2025
The enhancement act policy manual contains policies and procedures that direct casework staff when delivering services under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act.
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.
Ages & Stages: A Caregiver’s Guide to Supporting Children’s Racial Learning
Children are noticing, asking, and learning about race every day. The Ages & Stages Guide from EmbraceRace shows you how to meet them where they are— at every age!
Self-Advocacy Toolkit for Youth (OCYA)
Learn how to speak up, get support and understand your rights with OCYA's video series on YouTube.
Alberta.ca Increasing Funding for Child Advocacy Centres
Alberta’s government is increasing funding by 10% for child advocacy centres to better support children and youth experiencing abuse.
Former Foster Kids Share Their Visions for the Future (The Tyee)
National interviews with people who grew up in the child services system call for preventive, compassionate support.
Government of Alberta Children and Family Services Annual Report 2024 - 2025
The 2024-25 Annual Report reflects the 2024-27 Ministry Business Plan, the Government of Alberta Strategic Plan, as well as the ministry’s activities and accomplishments during the 2024-25 fiscal year, which ended on March 31, 2025.
The Online Safety Toolkit
The Online Safety Toolkit (OST) provides information for 2SLGBTQ+, BIPOC, youth, parents, women and girls, men and boys, and for anyone in the community who needs support to have a safe and healthy online presence.
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.
Results Are In! The Family and Natural Supports Program Improves Youth Well-Being and Prevents Homelessness (homeless learning hub)
This infographic provides aa snapshot of how the Family and Natural Supports (FNS) program supports youth and their families, including those they consider significant in their lives—such as chosen family, Elders, coaches, and teachers—to foster stronger relationships, resolve conflicts, and help prevent youth homelessness.
Cope - A Valuable Resource for Caregivers of Children and Youth Who Have Experienced Trauma
Are you a caregiver of a child who has experienced trauma? Register for COPE and learn strategies to help you and your child cope and recover.
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.
Alberta.ca Increasing Financial Support for Foster and Kinship Caregivers
Minister Searle Turton announced that if passed, Budget 2025 will provide a two per cent rate increase for foster and kinship caregivers, an investment of $3.1 million, to help support with the costs of raising a child or youth in their care.
A Guide to Serve & Return (Center on the Developing Child Harvard University)
The resources in this guide offer more on the science behind serve and return, practical ways to implement it, and strategies to support caregivers and children.
MHRC Report Unsupported Needs: Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Services...
Diving deeper into national trends of mental health service access, this report explores how severity of mental health symptoms or substance use behaviours relates to how Canadians are accessing support
OCYA Calling for Change Investigative Reviews Consolidated Report 2023-2024
OCYA is excited to share the latest initiative from the OCYA, focused on advocating for positive change in youth services. This call for action invites everyone to be part of a movement that’s shaping the future for Alberta’s youth.
‘We Need to Take Care of Our Own Children’ (The Tyee)
Inside the fight for Indigenous jurisdiction over child services in Canada. First in an occasional series.
Caring society files motion to force Canada back to negotiating table on child welfare reform (APTN)
Chiefs in Ontario decided last week to continue negotiating and refining the existing FSA. Then Patty Hajdu, minister of Indigenous Services wrote to the AFN national chief saying the government’s mandate “does not permit further negotiations at a national level.” That seemed to cut First Nations outside Ontario out of future negotiations.
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:
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
