Family and Community Support (FCSS)

Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is a partnership between municipal and provincial governments; established to develop, support and fund preventive social programming to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities. You will find the Town of Olds FCSS staff at the Community Connection Centre located at 4911 - 51 Avenue. 

Contact us at 403-556-7480 or ccc@olds.ca

FCSS Support Request Form

FCSS Policy 131C

Community Catylst Summit

Our local non-profits are the backbone of our community! We’re building this upcoming summit entirely around your needs—from board revitalization to volunteer retention and capacity management. Couldn't make it? Take a look at the presentation and slide from the 2026 Summit and check back next summer for updates on the 2027 Summit. 

Interagency Meetings

Connecting Community Partners in the Town of Olds

The Town of Olds Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is proud to host the 2026 Interagency Meetings. These sessions are designed to foster collaboration, share vital community resources, and strengthen the network of support for our residents.

Whether you represent a non-profit, a municipal department, or a local service provider, these meetings are your space to connect and learn.

📅 2026 Meeting Schedule

All meetings take place from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Community Connection Centre - Jean's Place Meeting Room 4911-51 Avenue. 

2026 Dates:

  • March 9
  • June 8
  • September 14
  • December 14

FCSS External Grant Program

The Town of Olds accesses FCSS provincial funds to support eligible local agencies and contributes additional County funds to these organizations. We also administer the FCSS program directly, funding programs like Seniors Support Services, Information and Referral Services to provide year-round community support.

Below are provincial documents that pertain to Family and Community Support Services (FCSS): 

Healthy and resilient families and communities are the building blocks of a strong Alberta. The Government of Alberta and local FCSS programs partner together to address key social issues that affect Albertans. This is done by tackling the root causes of social issues through preventive work to reduce risk factors and build resilience. Some examples of root causes are poverty, lack of education or employment, adverse childhood experiences, social isolation, and mental health challenges.

In 2022, the Province of Alberta introduced the FCSS Accountability Framework which provided a definition of prevention and outlined 5 Provincial Prevention Priorities. This helps FCSS programs to be focused and strategic in combatting issues in their communities. 

The definition describes prevention as, “A proactive process that strengthens the protective factors of individuals, families, and communities to promote well-being, reduce vulnerabilities, enhance quality of life, and empowers them to meet the challenges of life.”

The Community Connection Centre is investing $40,000 back into local programming for 2027 through our FCSS grant program.

While all eligible projects are encouraged to apply, priority consideration will be given to proposals focused on:

1. Preventive Social Programming

  • Mental Health & Addictions: Promoting mental health, raising awareness, and building coping skills for individuals and families.
  • Social Connection: Building support networks, fostering a sense of belonging, and preventing social isolation.
  • Family Well-Being: Supporting family capacity through engaging activities for children, youth, and their parents/caregivers.
  • Child & Youth Development: Helping youth build confidence, social/life skills, positive relationships, and social responsibility.
  • Violence Prevention: Educating the community, building protective factors, and encouraging healthy interpersonal relationships.
  • Independence & Resilience: Helping participants build life skills, adopt healthy lifestyles, and foster personal resilience.

2. Information Services

Services providing one-time information or mail-outs by staff or volunteers regarding local programs and services (may include printing or online maintenance costs).

Examples include: Operating an informational booth at non-FCSS events, producing pamphlets, or conducting community mail-outs.

3. Community Development & Capacity Building

  • Volunteerism: Actions and initiatives that enhance the capacity for volunteerism within local FCSS programs, such as volunteer training and development.

*Please note each Municipality may vary in their focus, design and delivery of these priorities which may effect funding outcomes.

Questions or Inquiries?

For more information contact by phone 403-556-7480 or by email fcss@olds.ca

*All FCSS applications received in the region are vetted by County of Mountain View.*

FCSS uses a “people helping people to help themselves” approach and offers a wide range of programs and services at the community level. Please refer to the FCSS Program Advice Inventory Listing (included in chapter five of the FCSS Program Handbook) for additional information.

Examples of the services and projects offered at the local level through FCSS are:

1. Services to assist communities to identify their social needs and develop responses to meet those needs, including:

  • raising public awareness around community issues,
  • developing strategies for community advocacy,
  • developing comprehensive community social plans and initiatives,
  • environmental scans, service reviews, strategic planning, program planning,
  • in-kind support to community-based groups (until they are able to sustain themselves) such as provision of office space, printing, photocopying, help with preparing proposals, etc;

2. Services to promote, encourage and support volunteer work in the community, including:

  • recruitment, training and placement services,
  • resources to support volunteers,
  • volunteer recognition,
  • coordination of volunteer services;

3. Services to inform the public of available services, including:

  • information and referral services,
  • community information directories,
  • newcomer services,
  • interagency coordination;

4. Services that promote the social development of children and their families, including:

  • parent-child development activities,
  • early childhood development services for children aged 0-6 (excluding childcare),
  • support services for young children aged 6-12;

5. Services that enrich and strengthen family life by developing skills so people can function more effectively within their own environment, including:

  • mentoring programs,
  • parenting and family life education and development programs,
  • programs for single adults and single parents,
  • courses designed to enhance self-awareness and personal growth,
  • individual, family and group counselling services that are educational and not treatment oriented, or - youth development and leadership services;

6. Services that enhance the quality of life of the retired and semi-retired, including:

  • home support services,
  • education and information services,
  • coordination of senior’s services and programs, or
  • self-help socialization activities.

Services provided under an FCSS program must not:

  • provide primarily for recreational needs or leisure time pursuits
  • offer direct assistance, including money, food, clothing or shelter, to sustain an individual or family • be primarily rehabilitative in nature, or
  • duplicate services that are the responsibility of government or government agency.

Section 4 of the FCSS Regulation states that expenditures of the program shall not include:

(a) the purchase of land or buildings,

(b) the construction or renovation of a building,

(c) the purchase of motor vehicles,

(d) any costs required to sustain an organization that do not relate to direct service delivery under the program,

(e) municipal property taxes and levies, or

(f) any payments to a member of a board or committee other than reimbursement for expenses referred to in Section 3(l).

Here's a four-stage eligibility assessment tool that can be used to assist in determining if a project or funding request fits the FCSS eligibility criteria:

1. Is the project or service preventive?

Does it enhance the social well being of families and individuals?  Does it have preventive social support outcomes? (The answer to all of the above should be “yes”.)

2. Does the project or service result in at least one of the following outcomes?

  • self-reliance, resiliency and ability to function in a positive manner
  • development of positive social relationships
  • community engagement and inclusion
  • support to remain an active in the community
  • address social issues and influence change

 (The answer should be "yes" to at least one of these outcomes.)

3.  Is the service or project:

  • primarily a recreation, leisure, entertainment or sporting activity or event?
  • offer direct assistance, including money, food, clothing or shelter?
  • primarily rehabilitative, therapeutic or crisis management?
  • a duplication of a service provided by any level of government?
  • a capital expenditure like the purchase of a building or vehicle?

(The answer should be "no" to all of these questions.)

Contact Us

Town of Olds
3501 70 Avenue
Olds, Alberta, Canada
T4H 1L7

Phone: 403-556-6981
Email: admin@olds.ca

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