FCSS has been part of the Province of Alberta Social & Prevention Programs for 40 years. The MLA’s who first envisioned the concept of the FCSS program recognized that each municipality/community had different strengths/weakness. Therefore rather than design a program to implement across the province “one-size” fit all they developed a strategy whereby each community/municipality could develop their own program to suit the needs of the community/municipality. 

Grasslands Regional FCSS is an inter-municipal program with five partners: County of Newell No. 4, the City of Brooks and Villages of Duchess, Rosemary and Tilley. Formed as a society, we began operation in September, 2004. Funding for FCSS is cost-shared 80% Provincial and 20% Municipal based on a formula. 

We have ten board members, two from each municipality: Council Member/designate and Community Member at Large. This works very well and ensured equal representation and decision-making from each municipality. 

We fund preventive social programs through direct funding and community development services. Over the past few years, we have funded a wide variety of organizations and programs throughout our region. 

We have gained so much by becoming a Regional Organization.

• It has allowed the hiring of a full time Executive Director. Having this full-time person out in the field allows us to better identify what’s working well and what prevention services and programs are needed in our communities.
• We are able to provide equal access and services to all community members regionally.
• The Funded Partners have only one FCSS program they apply for funding and report to.
• There is no duplication of funding, presentations/agency meetings etc.
• We created the Volunteer Resource Centre in 2007 and invited the Canadian Red Cross to open an office in Brooks, sharing space with the Volunteer Resource Centre.
• We have taken on Citizen of the Year & Junior Citizen of the Year which encompasses our region.
• We are very involved in the upcoming Newell Regional Expo three year project.
• We are able to help Build Community Capacity through involvement /creation of Community Projects and Initiatives.
• We are able to determine local assets and gaps/needs through formal and informal feedback from residents.