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WFCSS at a Glance
Enhancing the well-being of Individuals, Families and Communities since 1978
Wheatland FCSS is a partnership between the Government of Alberta and participating municipalities that works to strengthen individuals, families and communities through locally driven preventive programs, services and initiatives. |
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Understanding FCSS
Learn more about Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), how we work with our community, and the role we play in supporting individuals, families, and communities across Wheatland County.
Learn more about Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), how we work with our community, and the role we play in supporting individuals, families, and communities across Wheatland County.
What is FCSS?
Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is a partnership between the Government of Alberta and participating municipalities that supports locally driven, preventive social services. The goal of FCSS is to strengthen the well-being of individuals, families and communities by addressing social needs early, building resilience, strengthening relationships and connecting people with the supports they need.
FCSS focuses on prevention and early intervention, rather than responding only after a crisis has occurred. Programs may help individuals develop skills, build supportive relationships, increase their connection to their community, access social supports and develop the capacity to navigate life's challenges.
Across Alberta, FCSS programs are designed locally because every community has different strengths, challenges and priorities.
WFCSS uses this local approach to develop programs, provide services, work with community partners and support initiatives that respond to the needs of residents throughout Wheatland County.
FCSS focuses on prevention and early intervention, rather than responding only after a crisis has occurred. Programs may help individuals develop skills, build supportive relationships, increase their connection to their community, access social supports and develop the capacity to navigate life's challenges.
Across Alberta, FCSS programs are designed locally because every community has different strengths, challenges and priorities.
WFCSS uses this local approach to develop programs, provide services, work with community partners and support initiatives that respond to the needs of residents throughout Wheatland County.
How does FCSS work?
FCSS operates through an 80/20 funding partnership between the Government of Alberta and participating municipalities. The Government of Alberta provides up to 80% of the FCSS funding, while participating municipalities contribute a minimum of 20%. This shared funding model allows communities to invest in preventive social services while maintaining local decision-making about how those funds are used.
Wheatland Family and Community Support Services uses this funding to provide programs and services directly to residents and to support eligible community organizations and initiatives that deliver preventive programming.
This can include programs that strengthen families, promote mental health and well-being, support seniors, encourage social connection, build resilience, increase access to community resources and strengthen the overall capacity of the community.
Wheatland Family and Community Support Services uses this funding to provide programs and services directly to residents and to support eligible community organizations and initiatives that deliver preventive programming.
This can include programs that strengthen families, promote mental health and well-being, support seniors, encourage social connection, build resilience, increase access to community resources and strengthen the overall capacity of the community.
What are the prevention priorities?
FCSS is built around the idea that preventing challenges early can strengthen individuals, families and communities before they reach a crisis point.
At WFCSS, our work focuses on identifying and responding to the social needs of our communities while supporting Alberta's broader FCSS prevention framework. This includes strengthening resilience, improving access to social supports, encouraging community participation, fostering belonging, promoting social inclusion and developing healthy relationships.
Our current areas of focus include:
Aging Well in the Community
Family and Sexual Violence
Mental Health and Addictions
Prevention and Early Intervention
Community Connection and Inclusion
At WFCSS, our work focuses on identifying and responding to the social needs of our communities while supporting Alberta's broader FCSS prevention framework. This includes strengthening resilience, improving access to social supports, encouraging community participation, fostering belonging, promoting social inclusion and developing healthy relationships.
Our current areas of focus include:
Aging Well in the Community
- Supporting older adults to remain connected, engaged and able to live independently in their communities.
Family and Sexual Violence
- Supporting prevention, awareness, healthy relationships and community capacity to respond to family and sexual violence.
Mental Health and Addictions
- Promoting mental wellness, reducing barriers to support and strengthening connections to community resources.
Prevention and Early Intervention
- Identifying challenges early and connecting individuals and families with resources before concerns become crises.
Community Connection and Inclusion
- Creating opportunities for people to participate, build relationships, feel a sense of belonging and contribute to their communities.
How does FCSS support the community?
WFCSS supports Wheatland County through a combination of direct services, community partnerships, referrals, community development and funding for local initiatives.
Our team works directly with residents to provide information, connect people with resources and deliver programs that respond to local needs. Our services include supports such as food security programs, financial assistance, senior services, transportation assistance, home support, tax preparation, community resource navigation and opportunities for social connection.
We also work alongside local organizations, agencies, municipalities, volunteers and community members to strengthen the network of supports available throughout Wheatland County.
Our role is to work collaboratively with our community to identify needs, connect people to existing resources, fill gaps and strengthen the services already available
Our team works directly with residents to provide information, connect people with resources and deliver programs that respond to local needs. Our services include supports such as food security programs, financial assistance, senior services, transportation assistance, home support, tax preparation, community resource navigation and opportunities for social connection.
We also work alongside local organizations, agencies, municipalities, volunteers and community members to strengthen the network of supports available throughout Wheatland County.
Our role is to work collaboratively with our community to identify needs, connect people to existing resources, fill gaps and strengthen the services already available
What is the social needs assessment?
WFCSS believes that effective community services should be based on what people in our communities need.
WFCSS is currently conducting an active Social Needs Assessment to better understand the experiences, challenges, strengths and priorities of individuals and families throughout Wheatland County. The assessment brings together community information, local knowledge, feedback and input from residents, organizations and community partners.
The information gathered through this process will help WFCSS identify emerging needs, understand where gaps may exist and determine where resources and future programming can have the greatest community impact.
Your voice matters. Whether you have used WFCSS services, work with a community organization, or simply live in Wheatland County, your perspective can help us better understand our community.
Take a few minutes to complete our Social Needs Assessment and share what matters to you.
WFCSS is currently conducting an active Social Needs Assessment to better understand the experiences, challenges, strengths and priorities of individuals and families throughout Wheatland County. The assessment brings together community information, local knowledge, feedback and input from residents, organizations and community partners.
The information gathered through this process will help WFCSS identify emerging needs, understand where gaps may exist and determine where resources and future programming can have the greatest community impact.
Your voice matters. Whether you have used WFCSS services, work with a community organization, or simply live in Wheatland County, your perspective can help us better understand our community.
Take a few minutes to complete our Social Needs Assessment and share what matters to you.
Our History
For more than 45 years, WFCSS has grown alongside the communities we serve. Explore our history and discover the milestones that have shaped who we are today.
For more than 45 years, WFCSS has grown alongside the communities we serve. Explore our history and discover the milestones that have shaped who we are today.
1966
FCSS Begins in Alberta
The provincial program began as Preventative Social Services, establishing a community-based approach focused on prevention and early intervention.
The provincial program began as Preventative Social Services, establishing a community-based approach focused on prevention and early intervention.
1978
Wheatland FCSS Begins
Wheatland FCSS opened its first office in the Village of Standard, with municipalities throughout Wheatland County participating.
Wheatland FCSS opened its first office in the Village of Standard, with municipalities throughout Wheatland County participating.
1979
Home Support Begins
Home Support became one of Wheatland FCSS's first programs, helping seniors and people with disabilities remain independent in their homes.
Home Support became one of Wheatland FCSS's first programs, helping seniors and people with disabilities remain independent in their homes.
1981
A New Name
The provincial program was renamed Family & Community Support Services (FCSS).
The provincial program was renamed Family & Community Support Services (FCSS).
1999
Standard Office Closes
After operating two offices for many years, the Standard office closed in February 1999, leaving the Strathmore office as the organization's primary location.
After operating two offices for many years, the Standard office closed in February 1999, leaving the Strathmore office as the organization's primary location.
2013
A New Chapter
Wheatland FCSS moved to the Wheatland County Administration building following the Town of Strathmore's decision to establish its own FCSS.
Wheatland FCSS moved to the Wheatland County Administration building following the Town of Strathmore's decision to establish its own FCSS.
Today
Serving Wheatland County
WFCSS partners with Wheatland County, the Village of Hussar, the Village of Rockyford and the Village of Standard, with representatives from each community serving on the WFCSS Board.
WFCSS partners with Wheatland County, the Village of Hussar, the Village of Rockyford and the Village of Standard, with representatives from each community serving on the WFCSS Board.
Our Board
Wheatland Family & Community Support Services is guided by a volunteer Board representing the communities we serve. The Board provides leadership and oversight to help ensure WFCSS remains responsive to local needs and focused on strengthening individuals, families, and communities throughout Wheatland County.
Our Board includes representatives from Wheatland County, the Village of Hussar, the Village of Rockyford, and the Village of Standard. Together, they help guide the direction of WFCSS and ensure local perspectives are reflected in the work we do.
Wheatland Family & Community Support Services is guided by a volunteer Board representing the communities we serve. The Board provides leadership and oversight to help ensure WFCSS remains responsive to local needs and focused on strengthening individuals, families, and communities throughout Wheatland County.
Our Board includes representatives from Wheatland County, the Village of Hussar, the Village of Rockyford, and the Village of Standard. Together, they help guide the direction of WFCSS and ensure local perspectives are reflected in the work we do.
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Board Meeting Minutes
WFCSS is committed to transparency and keeping our community informed. Meeting minutes are made available below following approval by the Board.
Our website is currently under construction.
Board meeting minutes will be added to this page soon. We appreciate your patience while we continue making updates and ensuring information is accurate and up to date.
WFCSS is committed to transparency and keeping our community informed. Meeting minutes are made available below following approval by the Board.
Our website is currently under construction.
Board meeting minutes will be added to this page soon. We appreciate your patience while we continue making updates and ensuring information is accurate and up to date.