Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta (FCSSAA) 

This month we had the opportunity to chat with the Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta (FCSSAA). We spoke with Kayla Blanchette, President of FCSSAA and Mellissa Kraft, Executive Director. Please keep reading to find out more about the support FCSSAA provides to our province, and how you can help support their efforts in your own community. 

About FCSSAA 

FCSSAA is a membership association, supporting FCSS programs across the province. The FCSS program is unique in that it’s an 80/20 partnership between the Province of Alberta and municipalities; 80% funded by the Provincial Government and 20% funded by municipalities. $105 Million has been provided in provincial funding in the tabled 2025/26 budget, and more than $26.25 million in municipal contributions.  

This vital partnership sees the provincial government provide a mandate and key priorities, which are then addressed directly in the community. Depending on the outcomes, and the needs of the community, programming is tailored and delivered to meet the provincial priorities.  

Their mandate revolves around prevention and providing communities with the necessary programs and services they require most. 

“The idea is to teach people to swim before they are drowning.” -Kayla Blanchette, FCSSAA President 

FCSSAA provides support in the following areas: 

• Homelessness and housing insecurity 

• Mental health and addictions  

• Employment 

• Family and sexual violence 

• Aging well in community 

Each community is unique, which means programming varies as well. In some cases, programming can be delivered directly through FCSS programs or directly through the municipalities. While this isn’t always the case, smaller municipalities often choose to grant fund community partners rather than deliver the programs themselves. Others take a hybrid approach, combining both direct delivery and community partnerships. 

The FCSS Association is made up of FCSS programs from across the province that pay for membership. They provide learning opportunities, professional development, and advocate for FCSS programs with the provincial government. In 2024, there were 298 Municipalities participating in FCSS, which included eight Metis Settlements and 196 local FCSS programs. 

“The association is here to support the FCSS programs in the province. Just like communities vary in size in the province, so do FCSS programs. We want to try and help make sure that they have the resources to be as successful as they can in their communities.” -Mellissa Kraft, FCSSAA Executive Director 

 How You Can Help 

One of the best ways to support FCSSAA and FCSS is by educating others on the impact their programming has in your community and acknowledging when you receive funding from them.  

Additionally, you can speak with your local MLA. it is vital to hammer home the impact FCSS has on your community. The 2025 provincial budget didn’t include an increase in funding for FCSS programming, which is a challenge. With population growth, inflation and the current state of the economy, FCSS programing has never been more important. FCSS is a partnership between the provincial government and local government, and it’s vital that this partnership continue. 

“We know that a lot of the issues across the province are similar. They look different in different communities, but the FCSS programs are bringing partners together to work on issues. They have their eyes and ears to the ground of the community and are making things happen. Without FCSS, there would be a big hole in communities across the province.” -Mellissa Kraft 

Volunteering is prominent in each community. Many FCSS programs are run with the help of volunteers. For example, during the tax season, many FCSS programs are available to help those with modest incomes complete their income tax. In 2023, there were approximately 52,700 volunteers, which totals 1,450,800 volunteer hours! 

If you are interested in giving your time, locate the FCSS program in your community and find out how you can help.  

“Programming across the province is unique to each and every community, so they would have different opportunities based on the needs in their community.” -Kayla Blanchette 

You can also follow FCSSAA on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to help spread awareness, and stay up to date. 

Every community has unique needs, and it’s important to move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions, which is exactly what FCSSAA does by providing support to FCSS programs in the province. By asking, “What do you need?” and working collaboratively, they can help implement solutions that create a lasting impact in our communities.  

We want to thank Kayla and Mellissa for their time in speaking with us, and for the great work they are providing to the many people, and communities, around Alberta.