February 22, 2022 meeting

Interagency is made up of people and organizations interested in the social sector in Slave Lake.

Pearl Lorentzen
Lakeside Leader

Family and Community Support Services

“No two FCSSs are the same,” said Darcy Hoover, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) coordinator for the Town of Slave Lake.

FCSS funding comes from the province and is run through the municipality. Each municipality decides how to use the funds within the mandate of preventing social ills, not responding to the aftermath. Both the Town of Slave Lake and M.D. of Lesser Slave River have FCSS.

“We help people help people,” said Hoover. Slave Lake does this through programs, grants, and referral to existing support services.

The grants will be available after budget. Any organization with a project which might fit should contact Hoover to see if it fits within the mandate.

Town of Slave Lake

February 17 the Town of Slave Lake FCSS held its first Family Fun Night at Hilda Eben Park. There were 62 participants.

“It was really really great,” said Hoover.

The next Family Fun Night is Thursday, March 17. It is free swimming at the pool (6:30 to 8 p.m.) and a take-home movie night kit. Registration is required by March 11. Contact Hoover at 780-849-8003 or FCSS@slavelake.ca.

April 22 to 24 there is a men’s Anger Education course. To register, contact Hoover. Moving forward there will be both men’s and women’s courses in the spring and fall.

There is a newcomer’s initiative, which the town is taking the lead on. To join the group contact Hoover at FCSS@slavelake.ca.

FCSS is working on a brochure of community resources for schools. It will be one page, with contact information, a brief description, and whether a referral is required. A mental health resource is available. A full community services directory is in the works.

The seniors coordinator has been busy. Free seniors tax services starts soon.

There are courses available in March at the Multi Rec Centre, both educational and exercise courses. Record of COVID-19 vaccination is not required.

Northern Lights Aquatic Centre (the pool) has swimming lessons starting March 7.

The pool is fully staffed for the first time in three years, said Hoover. The MRC is still understaffed, so can’t keep up with the demand.

Dragonfly Centre

Dragonfly provides counseling and legal advice to people directly and indirectly impacted by sexual violence. It started in Bonnyville and is working on extending its services to Slave Lake, Wabasca-Desmarais, and the surrounding communities. At the moment, most services are virtual. People can refer other people or themselves using the referral form on the website – https://thedragonflycentre.com/.

Children’s Resource Council

CRC supports parents and children. Healthy Choices helps during the prenatal to 12 month period. There are also programs and support for children zero to 17 years old.

March 12 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CRC is holding a Babysitting Course.

Early Childhood Play and Learn is every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Multi Rec Centre. There is also parenting training for individuals and groups.

For more information, go to www.hpdcrc.ca or call 1-866-218-6859.

AHS Mental Health and Addiction

Counseling appointments are now done through a central registry. There are walk-in appointments on Tuesday afternoons. Counseling is provided for both mental health and addictions.

There are two free mental health information sessions coming up – Mar. 9 (1:30 to 3:30 p.m.) and Mar. 16 (10 a.m. to noon). The topics are Understanding the Nature of Addiction and Maintaining Healthy Relationships. To register, call 780-849-7127 or email trina.napier@ahs.ca.

Slave Lake and Area Mental Health Network

The Slave Lake and Area Mental Health Network (SLAM) is a group of community members who get together to try to build a grass-roots movement toward improved mental health in Slave Lake and area. Its two Frost Fest events went well. The next meeting is Thursday, March 17 from noon to 12:45 p.m. on Zoom. For more information, email lorentze@ualberta.ca.

Rotary Club of Slave Lake Public Library

The library has both a toy lending library and STEAM Library. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. One of the items in the STEAM library is a circuit kit.

For adults, each month there is a book club (third Wednesday) and writers’ group (last Wednesday). There’s also online programs for kids. In March, in-person programs may start up again.

Rupertsland Institute

Rupertsland helps Metis people find employment. It is looking for employers to be part of the summer employment program for Metis students who plan to return to school. Rupertsland will pay up to 100 per cent of minimum wage for Metis students hired by non-profit and 50 per cent for for profit employers. There’s also some local training coming up in bookkeeping, safety tickets, and employment skills training.

High Prairie School Division

Indigenous education is being done in both Slave Lake and Kinuso public schools. HPSD Indigenous Education Coach, Carrie McGillivray may be able to offer a Kairos Blanket Exercise for the community depending on COVID-19 restrictions and interest.

WJS Canada

WJS Canada offers FASD and Family Resilience services in Slave Lake.

Next meeting

The next Interagency meeting is Tuesday, March 29 starting at 1 p.m. This may be in-person.