FCSS - Support for Local Organizations and Programs

Survey and Information on Proposed Volunteer Appreciation Event

Black Diamond and Turner Valley Family and Community Family Services (FCSS) are interested in obtaining feedback from non-profit organizations and volunteer-supported community groups in the Foothills area about a possible all-inclusive volunteer appreciation event.  Letters and e-mails have been sent but more feedback is welcome and appreciated.  Click here for more information and access to survey.  Please contact Suzan at 403-933-4348, or fcss@town.blackdiamond.ab.ca with feedback and/or questions.

Interagency Meetings

Black Diamond Interagency is an informal meeting of representatives from agencies, organizations, businesses and interested individuals who provide services to individuals, seniors and families.  Members meet to share information about services and social programs in the Diamond Valley and area. It provides an opportunity for service providers to network and discuss social issues that are important to people in our community. Interagency provides the opportunity to develop partnerships and avoid duplication of services. Guest speakers may present information about new programs available in the community.  Information about upcoming events and programs are distributed with the monthly agenda. Everyone is welcome to attend.  Feel free to bring along a bag lunch and share in the casual networking.

Meetings are from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Sheep River Library in Turner Valley on the first Monday of every other month, starting in February and taking July, August and September off.  The meetings therefore, will be held in February, April, June, Ocotber, and December for a totalof five meetings per year.  On those occassions when the first Monday of the month is a statutory holiday, the meeting will not be held.

Upcoming INTERAGENCY dates:    Dec 3/12   -   Feb 4/13   -   June 3/13   -   Oct 7/13   -   Dec 2/13

 

Community Grants/Funding

Funding allocation is based on an application process. Applications are accepted in January but may also be considered at other times during the year depending January's volume.  All projects must be completed prior to December 31 of the same year. Grants are available for community organizations whose program meets funding criteria for preventive social services. Black Diamond Family and Community Support Services  Advisory Committee reviews funding application then approves or denies the application.

Funding Guidelines

A program must:

  • promote, encourage and facilitate voluntarism
  • be preventive in nature to

 i) enhance and strengthen family and community

ii) improve the ability of a person

iii) provide support that helps sustain people as active participants in the community provide for the development of services of clearly identified social needs and effective planning

 Services provided under a program must not:

  • primarily provide for recreational needs or leisure time pursuits of individuals
  • offer direct financial assistance to sustain an individual or family
  • be primarily rehabilitative in nature, or
  • duplicate services that are ordinarily provided by a government or government agency

 Grant Application Instructions

The Municipalities of  Black Diamond, Turner Valley,  High River, Longview, Okotoks and the MD of Foothills have a common application form for FCSS Community Grants. Once you complete the form, it may be used for each community.  Please verify individual application deadlines, as well as any community priorities, where applicable. 

 Funding Application Process

1. Is your program eligible for FCSS funding? Application Guide

2. Complete the application form:  Grant Application Form 2013

3. Submit completed application via e-mail to fcss@town.blackdiamond.ab.ca as well as by mail to:

                 Town of Black Diamond 
                 Family and Community Support Services
                 Box 10 Black Diamond, Alberta, T0L OHO                          

4.  Application submission deadlines:

Applications are accepted between January 1 and October 31.
Funds must be used within the same calendar year as the grant was received.

5.  Application review:

Applications will be submitted to the Black Diamond FCSS Advisory Committee for review. The Committee usually meets monthly, with the exception of July and August. There may be a request for your organization to make a short presentation to the committee.

6. Funding Decision:

The Advisory Committee considers the application and either approves or denies the funding.

7.  Notification and payment:

Once approved or denied by the Advisory Committee, notification will be made by email or phone call.  Successful applications will receive payment by mail usually within two weeks of a decision being rendered.

8.  Project Information/Grant Completion:

Please provide information about your project and return to the Town of Black Diamond, Family and Community Support Services  within 30 days of the completion of your funded project.  F.C.S.S. funds must be expended prior to December 31 of the year they granted.  Grant Completion Form

For more information about the provincial FCSS mandate, follow links to the Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta (FCSSAA) http://www.fcssaa.ab.ca/