Whitecourt town council has approved a transfer of reserve funds to support the Whitecourt Family Violence Stakeholders group in providing Family Violence Initiatives until the end of 2025.
On Sept. 10, the town received notice that the Government of Alberta denied further grant funding for the program, which has been running since 2005. Without support from the town, the funding was projected to run out on Sept. 30.
The town says without this program, there would be a large service gap in the area, with a large impact to families who are receiving services as well as the general community.
As such, to support the initiatives to Dec. 31, council has approved a transfer of $32,713 from the FCSS General Reserve, and will send a letter to the minister of children and family services and minister of justice to advocate for renewed funding. West Yellowhead MLA Martin Long has also been invited to a meeting to clarify how residents can continue accessing similar services in the future.
For 2024-2025, the town received Family Violence Prevention Supports and Intervention Grant Funding of $130,853. This funding supported:
- Family Violence Liaison: provides immediate, appropriate response and access to victims or accused after a domestic call and provides referrals to necessary community supports and court preparations. This role works with the RCMP and Crown Prosecutor to ensure communication is clear and probationary measures are in the best interest and safety of the victim and their children. The town reports in 2024, there were 264 domestic related calls to RCMP, with 106 files generated from those calls and 198 points of contact made with the victims and accused.
- New Hope and Roots: this program is provided by the liaison and a therapist to men, women and children. It covers topics like healthy relationships, remotional regulation, types of abuse, mindfulness, assertiveness, communication, stress management, self-confidence and safety planning. In 2024, 58 individuals completed this programming.
- Prevention activities: the liaison also organizes prevention activities, which change year-to-year, depending on recent challenges/successes. Past activities have included conferences, agency training, candlelight vigils, galas, light up events, school speakers, and more. Last year, over 100 people attended a gala and 60 youth joined educational speaker presentations.
The Town of Whitecourt was receiving funding from the Government of Alberta for the Whitecourt Family Violence Stakeholders group to provide Family Violence Initiatives since 2005. During the grant renewal process in June, the town received notice that municipalities were no longer eligible to apply for the funding. Instead, it partnered with the McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association, who is a stakeholder, to submit the application.
The town says the supports under the initiative are unique in Alberta, as they support the victim’s rehabilitation in addition to helping the perpetrator in an effort to end the cycle of family violence.
