Resources
Our Journey to Reconciliation
This blog summarizes ALIGN’s journey, activities, and initiatives, providing a clear picture of our organization’s dedication and efforts. References to ceremonies, traditional practices, and collaboration with Indigenous communities align with cultural sensitivity and respect. This blog also encourages readers to take actionable steps, such as creating reconciliation plans and using resources provided by ALIGN
ALIGN’s Well-Being Toolkit Community of Practice (CoP) is Feb. 18, 2025 Join Us!
The CoP meets monthly, every third Tuesday and 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.
ALIGN CONNECTIONS For Indigenous Children/Youth & Caregivers January 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 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 & 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.
PDD “Current State: Critical & Urgent. Experiences with Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD)” Inclusion Alberta Jan 2025
The Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) program supports over 13,000 adults with intellectual disabilities with residential support, and support to pursue employment or participate in community. It has been three years since the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services (SCSS) released how many adults who are eligible for and have requested supports are waiting without support.
Inclusion Alberta Report Too Little, Too Late Experience with Family Support For Children with Disabilities Jan 2025
It has been three years since the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services (SCSS) released how many families who are eligible for FSCD and have requested supports are waiting without support.
Calgary's Enough for All Well-Being Dashboard
The Enough for All Well-Being Dashboard brings to life vital data demonstrating Calgary's progress toward achieving its poverty-reduction goals. See yearly changes and trends in income, housing, education, employment, and more.
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!
Join Us! ALIGN 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!
Caring Society hosts VIRTUAL Have a Heart Day Screening and Panel discussion Feb 13, 2025
Have a Heart Day is a child and youth-led reconciliation event that brings together caring Canadians to help ensure First Nations children have the opportunity to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud of who they are.
CCSA Managing Workplace Violence and Responsive Behaviours On-Demand Course
CCSA offers effective training designed to equip organizations and their teams with the tools to effectively address and mitigate workplace violence and harassment.
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.
The Role of Mentoring for Foster Parents & Why It Matters
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.
ALIGN Well-Being in Child and Family Services Initiative
The way we define and understand child and youth well-being matters.
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 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.
10 Well-Being Strategies for Frontline Workers Who Support Children/Youth Experiencing Trauma
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:
Nominations Open for the Alberta Order of Excellence (Deadline Feb 15th)
The Alberta Order of Excellence is the highest honour the Province of Alberta can bestow on a citizen who has made a significant and lasting contribution to their communities. It takes precedence over any other provincial honour or award.
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.
Tickets are available NOW 2025 Speaker Series – Frontline Self Care (Red Deer Feb 14, 2025)
The nature and quality of occupational and organizational stressors faced by trauma-exposed professionals, and particularly those working in child centred roles are increasingly better understood.
"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.
Online Training Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (Homeless Learning Hub)
Free, on-demand training designed to support anyone working in the homeless-serving sector who is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all.
Survey Open Now! Reaching Home Community Entity Engagement
A Way Home Canada (AWHC) have partnered with the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (COH) to conduct research that seeks to understand the knowledge of, and interest of community organizations in a range of preventive interventions targeting youth homelessness.
Alberta.ca Nonprofit Tool: Alberta Nonprofit Listings Dashboard
On December 23, 2024, the Government of Alberta launched the Alberta Nonprofit Listings Dashboard, a new, publicly accessible tool designed to provide valuable data about the province's nonprofit organizations in an interactive and user-friendly format
Alberta.ca Open Data Emergency Shelters Daily Occupancy Updated Jan 2025
This collection of datasets provided by Seniors, Community and Social Services (SCSS)
January is #MentoringMonth! Celebrate Mentoring and the Mentors in Alberta
AMP is sharing their Mentoring Month Toolkit offering valuable resources and opportunities to build on your mentoring mission!
Updates & Revisions - The Alberta Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act Policy Manual
The enhancement act policy manual contains policies and procedures that direct casework staff when delivering services under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act.
Alberta Set to Change How Social Agencies Serving the Homeless are Funded in 2025
The Alberta Government announced upcoming changes to how services for Alberta's homeless population will be funded and will now provide funding directly to front-line agencies versus distributed through community-based organizations.
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
A Call for Meaningful Action in 2025 (Inclusion Canada)
The federal government released its Fall Economic Statement (FES) with new priorities and new spending—but no meaningful progress to lift people with disabilities out of poverty. Inclusion Canada is deeply disappointed that, despite Minister Chrystia Freeland’s resignation and clear signs of an economic pivot, this government continues to neglect the urgent needs of Canadians with disabilities.
Imagine Canada Report - Addressing The Nonprofit Data Deficit: A 25 Year Review
This report provides an overview of a quarter century of reports on the state of data in and about the nonprofit sector, from policy recommendations to sectoral data strategies.
Alberta OHS Code Changes December 2024
The updates received strong support from workers, employers and health and safety professionals. . Starting on March 31, 2025, work site parties will need to comply with the updated provisions.
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.
