Lac Ste. Anne County Activity Report LSAC_Flipbook_Activity Report 2016-17_FINAL_HiRes | Page 10

REPORT FROM COMMUNITY SERVICES Through grants and guidance, the Community Services department strives to empower regional community groups to carry out their vital programs and services. The Community Services department plays a vital role in managing and mentoring various recreation and Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) initiatives throughout the County. From promoting County campgrounds and softball leagues, to funding and cultivating numerous children’s programs and community initiatives, this department plays a major role in promoting health, well- being and community involvement across the region. DONNA KERR Community Services Manager [email protected] 780.785.3411 TF 1.866.880.5722 2016 was a year of considerable change and growth for the Community Services department. As a result, several key milestones were achieved, and it gives me pleasure to share them within this year-in-review. MONTH OF JANUARY After an extended period of low staffing, we were happy to add some full-time staff to our department. Cathy Steeves accepted the position of Parent Link/Early Childhood Development Coordinator, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience, and a passion to provide quality programming for local families. Not only did Cathy spearhead many fun, play-based drop-in programs, but she greatly expanded the parent education component of our programming through partnerships with Alberta Health Services’ Mental Health Promoter and the Onoway Public Library. Cathy also facilitated Love & Logic, and is now trained in Triple P Parenting, which she will offer in 2017. LSAC ACTIVITY REPORT | County Progress 2016/17 780.785.3411 www. LSAC .ca Another partnership, again with the Onoway Public Library, and with Alberta Health Services (Public Health), fueled a successful new program for new moms with infants 9 months or younger. Baby Network was a hit and is anticipated to run at least twice per year for the foreseeable future. All Parent Link/Early Childhood Development programs are provided free of charge. We strive to facilitate access by providing services such as free childcare during our parent education programs. The second staff member welcomed in January was Taryn Monteith, in the role of the Community Services Coordinator. Taryn’s eagerness and enthusiasm to tackle any project made her a great fit for this department, and her genuine concern for others makes her a vital link between residents and our department. She was tasked with many projects in 2016, and is an excellent fit for the future vision of increasing direct programming within the Community Services department. MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2016 saw the delivery of the County’s FCSS program. To streamline the process for applicants, the restructure included a new model that allows not only for increased direct program delivery and continued access to external grants, but also direct grant allocations. Though it took some time to finalize this process and get funding to local groups, direct allocations will make is simpler for programs that fit within the FCSS mandate to access funding. A valuable resource in any community, six (6) libraries operate within County boundaries. The Lac Ste. Anne County Library Board, as legislated through the Alberta Library Act and Regulation, manages and controls the system operations of three (3) County service points: Darwell, Rich Valley and Sangudo; yet each has an administrative society that directs day-to-day operations of their respective library. In contrast, the three libraries within neighbouring municipalities Alberta Beach, Mayerthorpe and Onoway are managed by individual municipal library