Provincial Prevention Priorities
Homelessness and Housing Insecurity
Homelessness and housing insecurity in Alberta are complex and growing challenges driven by factors such as rising housing costs, economic instability, mental health and addiction issues and systemic  barriers to support services. Many individuals and families struggle to access stable,  affordable housing, leaving them at risk of eviction, temporary shelter reliance or living in unsafe conditions.

Mental Health and Addictions
Many  Albertans experience  challenges related to mental  health and addictions. The province also continues to face an opioid crisis, with alarming rates of drug poisoning and overdoses. These issues have profound impacts on the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities.



Employment
Unemployment remains a challenge in Alberta, affecting individuals and families across the province. Job losses and economic uncertainty contribute to financial instability and can create barriers to long-term employment. Fluctuations in the job market impact many Albertans, highlighting the ongoing issue of unemployment and its broader effects on communities.



Family and Sexual Violence
Family and sexual violence are critical concerns that can lead to significant and lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects. These impacts can create substantial barriers to safety, well-being and stability.  Survivors  often encounter difficulties  in  obtaining necessary support and the repercussions can extend beyond individuals to affect families, workplaces, and the wider community.



​Aging Well in the Community
Alignment of health, housing, and community-based services can create safe and supportive environments for Albertans to age well in the community. It is estimated that 22% of people in long term care could be avoided with the right community-based supports in place. Approaches to integrate healthcare and community-based supports are essential to enable Albertans to age in their homes and communities and lower their risk of seeking hospitalization and/or long-term care.
PROGRAM ACTIVITY DESCRIPTIONS
​Overview: A “Program” is a service offering intended to support community members as participants. Programs can further be categorized by Program Types and Subtypes. Participation is typically recurrent or ongoing, where participants attend more than once.
Type
Preventative Focus
Sub Type
Description and Examples
Mental
​Health Promotion
Programs that promote mental health, educate and raise awareness about mental health and addiction topics, and build coping skills among individuals and families.

​Note: Mental Health Support from a Family Liaison is included in Community Outreach.
Support/ Psychoeducational Groups
Facilitated support groups designed to strengthen individuals' capacity to navigate life's challenges and their unique lived experiences.
Examples:
  • Grief/loss groups
  • 2SLGBTQQIA+ groups
  • Caregiver support groups
  • Psycho educational groups (group-based art therapy, equine therapy, music therapy)
.
.
Counselling Services
Short-term supportive counseling, typically 6-8 sessions for
individuals, couples, and families, with a general focus on building resilience and developing strategies to manage challenges, including family conflict mediation.
Modalities may include:
  • Individual or family art, music, or equine therapy
  • Anger management
  • Marriage counselling
.
.
Awareness & Education Programs
Workshops and seminars aimed to educate individuals, families, and the community on various mental health topics, targeting either the general public or specific groups.
Examples of topics may include:
  • Addiction issues
  • Suicide prevention
  • Drug and alcohol use
  • Anxiety management
Type
Preventative Focus
Sub Type
Description and Examples
Home
​Support
Programs designed to assist individuals in remaining in their homes, thereby preventing social isolation and reducing the necessity for higher levels of care. 
At Home Supports
Programs that help individuals live independently and remain in their homes longer.
Examples:
  • Light housekeeping
  • Minor home maintenance
  • Snow removal
  • Lawn maintenance
  • In-home or telephone companionship
  • Emergency/medical alert systems
.
These programs offer preventive, non- medical  home support and companionship to community members in their residences, including seniors and individuals with
disabilities.
Meal/Food
Delivery
Meal and food delivery programs designed to assist individuals who may need support in accessing food and essential meals.
Examples:
  • Volunteer and coordination support for meal delivery programs
  • Delivery of food from food banks
Type
Preventative Focus
Sub Type
Description and Examples
Child Development
&
​Caregiver Support
Programming designed to support the wellbeing and capacity of families through programs/activities for children, youth, and their caregivers or parents.
Parenting/ Family/ Caregiver Programs
Programs that offer parents education, resources, and support to foster positive parenting practices. Activities may be designed for parents and caregivers alone or for parents and caregivers alongside their children and youth.
Examples:
  • Healthy routines and parenting resilience program
  • Child development education sessions
.
.
Early Childhood Development, Preschools and
​Play Groups
Programs designed to enhance the social and emotional development of preschool-aged children. Activities may involve children exclusively or include parents and caregivers alongside children. The primary emphasis of the program is on fostering the child's social development.
Examples :
  • Drop-in children’s groups
  • Registered children's group
​
Type
Preventative Focus
Sub Type
Description and Examples
School-aged Camps &
​Drop-in Programs
​
Programs intended to help children and youth develop confidence, build social or life skills, develop relationships, or social responsibility.
Camps
Camps are programs that are typically offered during specific times of the year, such as summer, spring break, and fall. The primary objective of camps is to foster confidence, social skills, life skills, and social  responsibility. They usually operate for a full day or span multiple days.
Examples:
  • Youth summer camps
  • Spring break camps
Cultural camps
.
.
Drop-In
Programs
Drop-In Programs offer opportunities for school-aged participants to build relationships and skills or develop confidence, typically in a group setting, without having to register ahead of time.
Examples
  • Before/after school drop in programs
  • Youth drop-in programs
Type
Preventative Focus
Sub Type
Description and Examples
Skill
​Building Programs
Programs that help participants build life skills to develop their independence and resilience, adopt healthy lifestyles, and build protective factors.
General Life Skills
Programs that assist participants in developing essential life skills.
 
Examples:
  • Babysitting programs
  • Home Alone programs
  • Digital and technology use/safety programs
  • Workshops offering general information, self- improvement opportunities, and skill-building initiatives that support independence and resilience
.
.
Employability Skills
Programs that assist participants in gaining employability skills:
Examples:
  • Entrepreneurship education
  • Confidence and self-advocacy programs
  • Soft skills development programs
.
.
Financial Literacy
Programs designed to assist participants in developing financial literacy skills and competencies.
Examples:
  • Financial employment programs
  • Budgeting skills programs
  • Fraud prevention programs
.
.
Mentorship and Leadership Programs
Programs that provide participants with opportunities to
develop leadership skills and access mentorship.
Examples:
  • Youth councils
  • Intergenerational programs
  • Youth leadership conferences ​
Type
Preventative Focus
Sub Type
Description and Examples
Healthy
Relationship
Programs
Programs that educate, raise awareness, build social skills and protective factors to prevent violence and encourage constructive interpersonal relationships in the community
Family, Gender-Based or Age-Based Violence Prevention
Programs to prevent gender-based violence, elder abuse, family violence, and other relationships violence.
Examples:
  • Seniors’ Healthy relationship programs
  • Boundaries Programs
.
Note: marriage counselling and anger management is under Mental Health Promotion
School-Aged Healthy Relationship Programs
Programs aimed at promoting healthy relationships and mitigating negative interactions among school-aged children.
Example:
  • Anti-bullying programs
Type
Preventative Focus
Sub Type
Description and Examples
Community Outreach Programming
Proactive support and assistance offered to individuals or families. This may involve aiding individuals or families in developing their social networks, enhancing their resilience, accessing and navigating available support and resources, or building social and life skills.
Community Workers
Provide a variety of preventative support services, particularly in small communities. They serve a broad audience rather than a specific population and may deliver programs and services at multiple locations throughout the community.
Examples of the supports provided may include:
  • Social well-being assistance
  • Home support programs
  • Resource navigation services
  • Community program support
.
.
Outreach Workers
Engage with specific groups or at-risk populations. These programs often involve multiple interactions with the same individual and may foster an ongoing supportive relationship with clients.
Examples of titles for this type of program may include:
  • Outreach Worker
  • Community Support Worker
  • Community Resource Navigator
  • Senior Coordinator
  • Case Manager
  • Liaison Worker
  • Cultural Navigator
.
.
System Navigation and Other Support Services
Assist individuals in accessing various services or supports. These engagements usually involve either one-time interactions or a brief series of contacts.
Examples of such assistance include:
  • Navigation support for accessing benefits and services
  • Assistance with completing forms
  • Volunteer income tax programs
  • Support for individuals who may require more in-depth assistance than what a standard “referral” offers, but are not supported by an “outreach worker”
.
.
Family School Liaison Workers
Facilitate the relationship between the home, school environment and community organizations supporting student achievement and capacity building.
Example:
  • Family School Wellness Program
.
.
Outreach Centres/Programs
Initiatives that operate from designated locations, providing support to at-risk individuals to enhance their stability and capacity.
Type
Preventative Focus
Sub Type
Description and Examples
Group-Based
​Social Connection/ Social Well Being Programming
Build relationships and support networks, foster a sense of belonging, and prevent social isolation.
N/A
These initiatives are typically group-based programs that foster social connections and promote overall wellbeing.
 Examples:
  • Social connection programs
  • Newcomers' programs
  • Peer groups
  • Community garden programs
  • Community kitchen programs
  • Movement classes for social connection
  • Elder gatherings     
Community Events
​A Community Event is an organized occurrence that promotes engagement and belonging for community members. This is typically a one-time activity.
  • Often marks a specific time of year or specific day (like a holiday or a day of remembrance).
  • It may be associated with seasonal activities or a theme that is meaningful to the community
  • Has “attendees” rather than “participants”
Some examples include:
  • Community Connection Cinema (Movie in the park)
  • Stronger Together: Celebrating and Connecting Seniors (Seniors’ Week events)
  • Neighbours Connected (Neighbourhood block party)