Youth and Families

Youth and Family Services identifies and addresses youth, young adult, and family social issues in the community through direct service and/or in partnerships with other social agencies.

Family School Liaison Program

Family School Liaisons (FSLs) provide short-term, goal-oriented support to students, aged 6-18 years, and their families. They work with a student's existing strengths while building connections between families, schools and community services.

FSLs help students with...

  • Emotional Concerns: self-esteem, managing emotions, grief and loss, stress, life changes, coping skills
  • Family Concerns: separation or divorce, parent-teen conflict, sibling conflict, parenting tools, advocacy
  • School Based Concerns: transition to a new school, attendance issues, improve communication between families and the school
  • Social Concerns: problem solving, social skills, communication, peer relationships

Who is eligible?

This is a confidential, free service provided to Fort Saskatchewan residents. FSLs are able to meet with students in a variety of settings – at school, home or at the office.

Individual sessions may focus on:

  • Connecting the family to community resources
  • Acting as a liaison between the school, community agencies and the family
  • Identifying strategies to support both the student and/or family
  • Supporting parents to empower themselves and their children
  • Working to meet student goals while building relationships

Family School Liaisons do not provide psychiatric assessments or intervention services.

How can services be accessed?

To apply to the program or for more information, please contact the FCSS Intake Line: 780-992-6265

In School Programs

Family and Community Support Services offers supports in schools throughout the year such as boys group, girls group and healthy relationship presentations. If your school would be interested in discussing these topics or others please call 780-992-6265.

Roots of Empathy

Roots of Empathy is a classroom program that has shown dramatic effect in reducing levels of aggression and violence among school children while raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy.

A certified instructor with a parent and their baby provide classroom visits throughout the school year. The program helps children to learn about baby's needs and development and lets children see a loving relationship grow between parent and baby. The program aims to foster the development of empathy and emotional literacy while reducing levels of bullying, aggression and violence.

To learn more about the Roots of Empathy program, please call 780-992-6265 or visit rootsofempathy.org.

LGBTQ2+ Resources

The Rainbow Alliance is a peer support group for youth ages 13 and up. It is a supportive and safe place open to all sexual orientations and gender identities, where youth can be themselves in a safe, affirming, sex-positive, alcohol and drug free environment.

Meetings are fun opportunities to make new friends, partake in fun activities and work on projects together.

To learn more about the Rainbow Alliance, call 780-992-6265.

Peer Support

In partnership with Fort Saskatchewan’s FCSS, the altView Foundation proudly offers free drop-in peer support every Monday and Wednesday from 9am-12pm and is located at City Hall (10005 102 Street, Fort Saskatchewan). Find out more about the FCSS Drop-in Peer Support.

Youth Groups
Youth Action Committee (YAC)

The Youth Action Committee (YAC) is open to all youth ages 13 – 18 and will focus on:

  • Volunteering and fundraising
  • Project orientated activities
  • Youth Wellness
  • Youth driven Initiatives 

Goals:

  1. Engage youth to be involved in the community through volunteering
  2. Plan youth specific events and activities
  3. Collaborate with other groups and agencies
  4. Promote and create initiatives to support the well-being of youth

Location: Lang Room, City Hall
Hours: Every Second Monday from 4:00 – 5:00pm
Dates: September – June

For more information, please email Family and Community Support Services or call 780-992-6267.
Youth Council

Youth Council act in an advisory capacity to Mayor and Council, city departments and community partners on issues relevant to youth.

The goals of Youth Council are:

  1. To learn about city governance, procedure and policy
  2. Advise Mayor and Council
  3. Present youth concerns to City Council a minimum of twice a year
  4. Drive community change

Open to all youth ages 14 – 24 with a maximum of 16 members

For more information, please email Family and Community Support Services or call 780-992-6267.