CONFERENCE REGISTRATION COMING SOON! | |
STRENGTHENING TODAY, BUILDING TOMORROW
Our Annual Conference has become a key event in our calendar, both literally and figuratively. Figuratively, in that it is a part of our identity as an Association. This is particularly so given the theme of our Conference, “Strengthening Today, Building Tomorrow.” What this means is that we are present and future-focused and that we possess both strengths and a vision for the future, just like our kids and families. These strengths and vision are essential to our sector, for we are, and will be, surrounded by change. Our strengths and vision will sustain us and make us leaders in supporting the wellness of our Province’s children and families. Save the Date! Jan 23 - 24, 2025, W.E.M., Edmonton
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Empowering Futures A Gathering for Indigenous Child Welfare Sovereignty
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Join Us! Empowering Futures: A Gathering for Indigenous Child Welfare Sovereignty. Be part of a transformative day focused on the future of Indigenous child welfare. Your presence and participation are warmly invited. Join ALIGN for an impactful gathering designed to empower our communities in the journey towards assuming jurisdiction under the Act Respecting First Nation, Metis, Inuit Children, Youth, and Families.
This event will facilitate vital conversations, provide valuable insights, and honour our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. This is the second gathering being held across Alberta.
February 27, 2025, at the Grey Eagle Resort in Calgary.
The day will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a Networking and Smudging Ceremony beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Price: $103.95 – Includes lunch. GST included. Service Fee added at checkout.
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WELL-BEING TOOLKIT OCTOBER | |
ALIGN's Well-Being Eblast October 2024 MCHB: Centering Stories in an Ecological Framework | |
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SAVE THE DATE!
Well-Being Toolkit Community of Practice (CoP)
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The CoP meets monthly, every third Tuesday and is an informal community of like-minded practitioners and evaluators in the child and family serving sector who are interested in growing their organization's impact on child and youth well-being.
November 19, 2024, is the date for the upcoming Community of Practice; as with the previous sessions, we will be sharing stories of success and doing a deep dive into topics identified as areas of interest for participants- this month, we will be welcoming a guest speaker and hosting a discussion on “Parallel Processes and Ethical Space.”
If you are new to the ALIGN Well-being Toolkit, have a look at the Quick Start Guide if you have time. For more information or to register, contact wellbeingimpactportal@alignab.ca
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Join ALIGN for Cultural Solutions 101 Virtual April 23 - 25, 2025. Training is intended to provide professionals who are interested in expanding their knowledge on working with Indigenous peoples through an educational and experiential opportunity. Over three days (3.0), participants will gain a deeper understanding and personal experience of Indigenous history and perspectives through various traditional teachings and protocols and how these relate to the delivery of human services with Indigenous service use. | |
ALIGN's ONGOING ENGAGEMENT | |
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Executive Director's Update: Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly
We are pleased to share that ALIGN recently attended the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) on Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program, held from October 16-18, 2024, on Treaty 7 Territory, in Calgary, Alberta. The SCA focused on discussions and decision-making regarding the Draft Agreement for long-term reform of the FNCFS Program, which seeks to address Canada's historic discrimination against First Nations children and families.
Chiefs and Proxies deliberated on the proposed reforms, and ultimately, the majority voted to reject the Draft Final Settlement Agreement, citing critical shortcomings such as inadequate funding, lack of transparency in governance, and a weak dispute resolution process. ALIGN's participation as an observer was part of our ongoing commitment to learning and knowledge-building.
Our goal is to ensure our members clearly understand how these national reforms will shape the future of child welfare not only in Alberta but across Canada as a whole. Through our engagement in this process, ALIGN is well-positioned to advocate for meaningful changes that will better serve First Nations children and families. We remain committed to staying informed as this journey progresses and will continue to assess how these developments will shape our work moving forward.
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We Are Stronger Together! | |
CONNECTIONS is a monthly newsletter designed to support Foster and Kinship Caregivers to ensure Indigenous children in their care have access to cultural resources, activities and events that broaden their cultural awareness. Each edition includes various activities like animated video read alouds, coloring pages, recipes, games, puzzles, learning resources, story more to support cultural awareness for Indigenous children, youth and their caregivers. It's a great resource for caregivers, teachers, program staff, and any family interested in learning more! October 2024 Edition (Spotlight on Memory Books) | |
INCLUSION ALBERTA'S
FSCD & PDD SURVEY | |
FSCD (& PDD) Service Providers - ALIGN invites you to support the voices of families of children with disabilities by sharing this important survey with the families and clients you work with. This Inclusion Alberta survey is specifically designed for parents, providing them with the opportunity to share their experiences, insights, and perspectives on the services and supports they receive through Family Support for Children with Disabilities. Take The Survey (Deadline Nov 14, 2024) | |
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Alberta.ca News Release October 16, 2024, Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange and Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon As the new sector minister for continuing care, I am committed to ensuring seniors, people with disabilities, people facing homelessness and other vulnerable Albertans are supported with comprehensive, wraparound services that meet both their medical and non-medical needs...“ Read Full
CALL FOR PAPERS – International Journal on Homelessness A Transformation Agenda: Mobilizing Social Innovation to Support the Prevention of Youth Homelessness
Apply now! They are accepting submissions for a special IJOH issue titled A Transformation Agenda: Mobilizing Social Innovation to Support the Prevention of Youth Homelessness. Deadline March 2025
LetsStopAIDS, Canada's leading youth-led HIV charity dedicated to prevention and education, has unveiled its annual Sex Lives Report, revealing alarming gaps in sexual health knowledge among young Canadians.
Establishing Community Pathways to Prevention Services Krista Thomas, Olivia Wilks / Chapin Hall Many families facing difficulties often don’t receive support until their situations become serious, putting them at risk of child welfare involvement. This report highlights the “community pathway” approach within this act, allowing families to access voluntary support through community organizations without engaging with child welfare services. Read Report
AARC's Youth Support Resource Fair Nov 21, 2024 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM MST Calgary
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Report Futureproofing the Community Service Workforce Unlocking the non-profit sector's digital potential to strengthen community services 2024
Did you know that Tech workers earn 33% less in nonprofit sector! This report reveals the stark disparities in tech worker representation and compensation within the nonprofit sector. With only 1% of nonprofit workers in tech roles and earning significantly less than their counterparts in other industries... View Report
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) Alternative Federal Budget (AFB). The AFB is an exercise in what’s possible—a comprehensive guide to how a federal budget can achieve a vision where everyone in Canada can access the best public services, can get the income support they need to move out of poverty, and can tackle the greatest challenges of our time.
Toolkit Mobilizing on the Right to Housing for Women, Two-Spirit, & Gender-Diverse People: A Community Organizer’s Guide (WNHHN & NIWHN) This NEW toolkit was developed to support evidence and testimony gathering for the upcoming National Housing Council’s Review Panel on Canada’s Failure to Eliminate Homelessness for Women & Gender-Diverse People.
A Generation at Risk: The State of Youth Mental Health in Canada released October 2024 by Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) in partnership with Bell Let’s Talk and several mental health organizations, this report provides an unprecedented look into the state of youth mental health across Canada.
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SECTOR CONFERENCES/SUMMITS | |
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Annual International Conference On Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault November 14 -16, 2024, Edmonton
United Voices 2024 | Immigrant Youth Wellness Summit November 16, 2024, Calgary
FCSSAA Conference "It's Okay to Pivot - The Power of Change." November 13-15, 2024, at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton.
Indigenous Disability Canada's (IDC) 2024 Indigenous Disability and Wellness Gathering November 19 – 21 Victoria BC
Addressing the Housing Crisis - Edmonton's Housing Accelerator Action Plan Nov 21, 2024, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM MST
City of Calgary’s Housing Partnership Conference 2024 November 26, 2024
Inspiring Change, Igniting Progress CWLA’s 2025 Conference April 9 – 11, 2025, in Washington, DC
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Government funding can be a game-changing opportunity. But government grants can also be difficult to find, challenging to secure, and impossible to maintain. Join Keela and Grant Connect on November 13 for a free webinar where Jesse Clarke, Founder & CEO of JN Clarke Consulting, will provide a comprehensive guide to federal government funding: how to find it, how to build your organization’s reputation with government, and how to prepare successful applications for funding.
REGISTER HERE
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ALIGN maintains one of the most comprehensive grants directories available to Charity and Non-Profits organizations. Find up-to-date listings for upcoming and ongoing grants and awards applicable to Alberta agencies and organizations! | |
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Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative.
This $30 million fund will be provided to projects that bring together community-based organizations that provide new skills training opportunities for workers. The Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative is part of the Government’s response to significant job losses impacting a community and provides funding to address exceptional situations. This initiative will help bolster community resilience by complementing existing programs and services to help displaced workers transition into new jobs.
Deadline March 31, 2025
Canada Summer Jobs Program (CJS) Call for Applications
The CSJ program will be supporting 70,000 quality jobs for youth across Canada during the 2025 summer season. Non-profit employers can receive a wage subsidy up to 100% of Alberta's minimum hourly wage.
Deadline: December 19, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time).
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VIEW ALIGN MEMBERS CAREER POSTINGS HERE
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Stay up-to-date with ALIGN & Sector events, news and resources! | | | | |
