Resources
RAISE YOUR VOICE Contact your MLA about FSCD/PDD
Inclusion Alberta has been increasingly hearing from individuals and families who are unable to secure the supports they require through either FSCD and PDD

Free Toolkit to Support Mental Health in the Workplace
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has released a free Workplace Mental Health Toolkit to help Canadian organizations create a supportive environment for mental health at work.

ALIGN Well-Being in Child and Family Services Initiative
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.

Join Us! Empowering Futures: A Gathering for Indigenous Child Welfare Sovereignty – Treaty 7 Edition
Taking place in Treaty 7 territory, the second Empowering Futures: A Gathering for Indigenous Child Welfare Sovereignty builds on the success of the inaugural gathering in Edmonton, bringing together Indigenous communities, governments, non-Indigenous agencies, and consultants to advance the conversation on Indigenous jurisdiction, governance, and self-determination in child welfare and well-being.

Alberta Opens First Eating Disorders Recovery Centre in Calgary Supporting Youth & Adults
Operated by EHN Canada, the 12-bed EHN Sandstone Recovery Centre in Calgary increases access to specialized eating disorders treatment in the province providing up to 52 youth and young adults with treatment free of charge every year.

Podcast CharityVillage Connects: Navigating the Stormy Waters of Political Uncertainty: Government Relations for Nonprofits
With elections happening across the provinces and the potential for a federal election at any time, how to navigate political change is top of mind for many nonprofit leaders.

New Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) Launching July 2026 (Alberta.ca)
People with disabilities shouldn’t have to choose between getting the support they need and having the opportunity to pursue a meaningful career. Albertans with disabilities and the organizations that support them have said loud and clear they want supports that meet their unique needs and abilities, rather than the current one-size-fits-all solution.

Young Artists Invited to Share Their Creativity for Pink Shirt Day Feb 26, 2025
This year’s theme, “Let the Kindness Grow,” celebrates the power of kindness to bring people together.

FREE Screening of New Documentary Ahkameyimok: To Persevere (Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society)
Ahkameyimok: To Persevere. Taking place February 22nd, from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Garneau Theatre

ALIGN's OHS Community of Practices Virtual February 18, 2025 Join Us!
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’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!

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 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!

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.

"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.

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)

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.
