2019 ANNUAL COMMUNITY SERVICES REPORT 2019 Community Services Report FCSS Committee Representatives 2019-2020 Cadotte Lake—Elizabeth Whitehead Harmon Valley—Ethyl Velie Little Buffalo—Eve Calliou Marie Reine—Tamara Belzile Nampa Rural—Laurie Davoren Northern Sunrise County Council—Audrey Gall St. Isidore—Gwenda Fortin Three Creeks/Wesley Creek—Marlene Kunstleben Village of Nampa—Angela Rosin Village of Nampa Council—Clynton Butz Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) Family & Community Support Services helps to strengthen the community by providing: • Help people to develop independence, strengthen coping skills and become more resistant to crisis; • Help people to develop an awareness of social needs; • Help people to develop interpersonal and group skills which enhance constructive relationships among people; • Help people and communities to assume responsibility for decisions and actions which affect them; • Provide supports that help sustain people as active participants in the community. 1 2019 Community Services Report Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) YOUTH PROGRAMS Babysitting Course In 2019, Nampa/Northern Sunrise County offered babysitting courses in Nampa and St. Isidore for youth between the ages of 11-15. The Canadian Red Cross Babysitting course covers everything from managing difficult behaviours to essential content on leadership and professional conduct as a babysitter. Babysitting deepens and enhances the responsibility that older youth feel when caring for younger children. Healthy Teeth for a Healthy Smile Nampa Community Services partners with Alberta Health Services to host the Healthy Teeth for a Healthy Smile program which is an educational program geared towards children 0—6 years old and their parents. The program allows parents to learn about proper dental care and their child receives an oral health exam, fluoride treatment, and can offer referrals if need be. This program is offered once every six months in Nampa. Home Alone The Home Alone program was offered in Nampa and St. Isidore in 2019. It is for children ages 9-12. Children learn: • Importance of responsibility and respect while being accountable for yourself • Importance of setting and following rules around safety when staying on your own • How to stay safe at home and within the community • How to prepare, recognize and respond to unexpected situations, (i.e. inclement weather, strangers, unanticipated visits) • First aid skills Mom & Son Day In 2019, a Mom & Son Superhero evening was developed. The goal of the program was to provide a creative space to build on the existing relationships between mothers and their sons. Participants were treated to a pizza dinner and a superhero themed paint night. 2 2019 Community Services Report Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) YOUTH PROGRAMS Parenting Programs In 2019 we offered parent and tot based programs in Nampa (Little Adventurers & Rockin’ Development) and St. Isidore (La Petite ecole). These programs allow parents to learn how to play with their child and how to enhance early development skills. Parents and their children are able to explore different themes (Valentine’s Day, Poison Control, Easter, Mother’s Tea, Autumn Apple Party, Halloween Fiesta, Superheroes, Grinchy Christmas, etc.) through crafts, games, and snacks. Parent Link offers support for these programs and will bring in additional resources for parents interested in learning more about early childhood development. In addition to parent & tot type programs, FCSS brings in presentations for parents of children ages 0-18 years. In 2019, FCSS hosted ‘Teen Talk’, a presentation on how to talk to teens about addictions, and ‘Raising Financially Fit Kids’, a presentation on ways to teach children about saving money. Passport program Introduced in 2019, the Passport program gave children ages 5-12 the ability to explore different countries through themed crafts, games, and snacks. The program allowed children to explore France, China, Lebanon, and India in 2019. Pre-School Storytime In partnership with the Nampa Municipal Library, Nampa FCSS facilitated a pre-school Storytime that encouraged children ages 0-6 and their parents to read together as a family unit on a regular basis. There were two components of the program; self-guided reading as a family unit and a group book reading. 3 2019 Community Services Report Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) COMMUNITY PROGRAMS Blanket Exercise The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is an interactive and experiential three hour training, which teaches indigenous history through an indigenous lens. Facilitators guide participants through a summarized version of historic events from pre-contact to colonization, up to how colonialism continues today, and its impact on all of us. The KAIROS Blanket Exercise training supports both the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC) and UN Declaration calls for action for governments to help public servants understand how colonization impacted people who lived here long before 1492. It also explores the nation-to-nation relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples in Canada, how the relationship has been damaged over the years, and how we can work towards reconciliation. The KAIROS Blanket Exercise was facilitated in St. Isidore in December of 2019. Christmas Gatherings and Open Houses Nampa/Northern Sunrise County Community Services partners with the Marie Reine Cultural Committee every December to host the Supper with Santa event. The Marie Reine Cultural Committee coordinates a free catered meal and a visit from Santa Claus. Community Services organizes the activities for children and their families including crafts, games & door prizes. Participants are also encouraged to bring a donation to the local Food Bank. In 2019, the event had approximately 120 people in attendance. Cadotte Lake Community Services partners with the Cadotte Lake Metis Local to host an Annual Christmas event for the community which features a traditional Christmas dinner, family games, crafts, and photos with Santa Claus. Presents are purchased by Metis Local for all of the children registered and in attendance. In 2019, there was approximately 210 people in attendance. Nampa/Northern Sunrise County Community Services hosts their Annual Christmas Open Houses in December. In 2019, St. Isidore hosted a Senior Tea and Open House and Nampa FCSS partnered with the Nampa Municipal Library to host the annual Nampa Open House at the Library. Participants are treated to light refreshments, entertainment, snacks, and are able to access resources specific to Community Services. Christmas Gift Card Program Each December, Nampa/Northern Sunrise County Community Services receives donations from local organizations and individuals to purchase Christmas Gift Cards for those in need. Since 2014, gift cards have been purchased from local grocery stores and delivered to the people in need through the mail in a Christmas card. The program is 100% anonymous. Community members are encouraged to refer those in need to the Community Services Department so that they are included on the Christmas Gift Card program list. In 2019, there were 46 families, seniors, and adults that received a gift card and Christmas card in the mail courtesy of donations received by Northern Sunrise County, Elbow River Marketing, Nampa Gospel Fellowship, Village of Nampa, Boucher Bros. Ltd., and the Bandits and Rec Jets hockey teams. 4 2019 Community Services Report Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) COMMUNITY PROGRAMS Easter Celebrations Family Easter Celebrations are scheduled annually in Cadotte Lake & Nampa. In Cadotte Lake the Community Easter Celebration allows participants to meet the Easter Bunny and participate in an outdoor Easter Egg Hunt. The Breakfast with the Bunny Celebration, which is coordinated in partnership with Nampa Community Services and the Harmon Valley Agricultural Society is held annually. The event includes a free pancake breakfast, crafts, activities, games, Easter egg hunt, and photos with the Easter Bunny. In 2019, Nampa Community Services also partnered with the Nampa & District Historical Society to host the ‘Sp’egg’tacular Easter event’ at the Nampa Museum. The event allowed families to participate in a museum wide scavenger hunt, themed snacks, and photos with the Easter Bunny. Family Day Celebration A Family Day celebration is held annually in the communities of Cadotte Lake & Nampa. The Family Day event allows families to reconnect with one another over crafts, activities, and snacks. In Cadotte Lake, families are treated to a hot dog lunch courtesy of APL, tobogganing, skidoo rides, glitter tattoos, and skating on the outside rink. In Nampa families are able to participate in shinny hockey & free skate at the Nampa Complex, crafts, outdoor family activities, and enjoy bannock on a stick, hot dogs, horse drawn sleigh rides, and snow taffy. Both events are free and open to everyone. Immunization Clinics Nampa Community Services partners with Alberta Health Services in offering mobile immunization clinics at least twice per year for the residents in and around the Village of Nampa. This allows residents to receive their flu and immunization shots closer to home. This program benefits the families, adults, and seniors who do not have transportation to town on a regular basis. 5 2019 Community Services Report Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) COMMUNITY PROGRAMS Touch a Truck Nampa/Northern Sunrise County Community Services hosted its 3rd