Eight Towns and Metis Settlements in our region will be getting a program the provincial government says will offer family support services.
The Family Resource Networks will replace the former Parent Link program, which the UCP government decided not to renew.
The program came to an end on March 31 but the province was looking for an initiative to replace the former Parent Link program.
“Now, more than ever, we need to make sure that children and their families have targeted supports that promote child safety, well-being and development,” says Children’s Services Minister, Rebecca Shultz. “Our new Family Resource Networks (FRN) will provide programs, services and supports to build stronger, more resilient families and communities across the province.”
Tanya Bell is the Community Services Director for the Town of Peace River, and says the FRN will be based at the Baytex Energy Centre, like Parent Link was.
“We will be virtual for the time being,” says Bell in reference to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We will be providing services to families and caregivers, support for parenting education, home visitations, information and referrals and to continue the good work of the staff members that are a part of that program.”
Bell also says the town was able to retain all the staff from the previous program, meaning no one loses their job.
She adds that Parent Link was a focused program for 0-6-year-old children, but the FRN is for children up to 18.
“A lot of our previous programming, we were able to extend into some of the teen years so support for parents, pre-teens and beyond,” states Bell.
“We are also going to be doing a home visitation, which was run by a different organization in the past. It is a more intensive support program for parents, as well as education and child development.”
Bell adds the phone number has not changed (780-624-0770) and says almost all the services can be offered virtually until the pandemic subsides.
The Towns of High Prairie and High Level were also successful in applying for the provincial funding and will be able to serve surrounding areas as well.
The: Peavine, Gift Lake, Buffalo Lake, and Paddle Prairie Metis Settlements were also successful in the applications for FRN funding.
According to the province, there were over 400 applications.
– Kenny Trenton, Trending 55 Newsroom
