Purpose

  1. To improve the quality of life for our community by assisting people to address their own needs and help themselves.
  2. To help people help themselves to live a happier and healthier life.
  3. To educate the community and make people aware of choices and options, thereby, giving individuals power over their own life.

Services Offered

  • Home Support Program
  • Community Outreach Workers
  • Community Networking
  • Seniors Programs
  • Community Volunteer Tax Preparation Program
  • Youth Programs
  • Community Newsletters
  • Wall of Fame

Frequently Asked Questions

Outreach Workers are in the communities to assist residents of Big Lakes County, and the Town of High Prairie. They assist with government forms, provide resource information, refer residents to other agencies and do tax returns for low-income residents. They also act as an advocate for residents when they deal with various government departments.

Applications for AISH, CPP, Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Alberta Senior Benefit, Aids to Daily Living, RRAP, EARP, HASI, Alberta Special Needs Grants for Seniors, Alberta Blue Cross, Passport Applications, etc.

 

If the form you require is not listed, rest assured that they will do their best to assist you.

Provincial Family and Community Support Services legislation does not allow us to provide services to Reserves and Settlements. Government funding for these services is provided outside our program. Reserves and Settlements may receive government funding to establish their own Family and Community Support Services services.

Contact your Family and Community Support Services Office.

Each Outreach office provides special events for their community. They all have Family Day activities, special events during Seniors Week, Volunteer Appreciation activities and Christmas Angel Programs.

Home Support is a light housekeeping service available to residents of the county. This is a subsidized service for disabled residents and seniors who need assistance so they can remain in their own homes. Fees can be as low as $5.00 per hour, depending on your income level. Bills are sent out monthly. Heavy cleaning such as spring cleaning or yard work is not provided. Home Support workers are prohibited from entering a home if the client is not present. Contact your community Outreach Worker for more information or to apply for Home Support.

Family and Community Support Services makes every effort to deliver youth programs in Grouard, Joussard and Faust. Babysitting and Home Alone Safely courses are also offered on a regular basis.

Family and Community Support Services provides Hamlet newsletters to the residents of Big Lakes County with information on what is happening in your area. If you are a resident of Big Lakes County with a High Prairie mailing address or not already receiving a newsletter, please send an email to Tori Dumaresque at [email protected] or call 780-776-3811 for more information.

Volunteer Appreciation

National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to celebrate the vibrancy and impact of volunteerism in your community and across our country. Volunteer Week 2023 is April 16-22. It is a time to recognize volunteers and celebrate the power of volunteerism in our community.

Nominations are open and being accepted for Volunteer Appreciation events in our communities.  These events are hosted by Big Lakes Family & Community Support Services.

Any group or individual may submit one or more nominations to Big Lakes Family & Community Support Services for the Volunteer Recognition events held throughout the County of Big Lakes and Town of High Prairie. Nomination forms can be picked up at the County office, the Town office, all FCSS outreach offices, downloaded here or fill out a form below. Forms must be filled out completely to be considered by the selection committee. Nominations are kept confidential and only the nominees selected by the committee will be announced to the public.

Candidates who live in Big Lakes County or Town of High Prairie who meet the eligibility criteria listed below.  All nominees must be:

  • Involved in an activity or activities that are voluntary in nature and are not part of the candidate’s occupation or job description.
  • Involved in an activity or activities that provide a benefit to the community, bring credit or distinction to the community or enhance life in the community. Such activities can be in any area of community service (cultural activities, recreation, civic service, youth work, or community promotion).
  • Candidate must have volunteered between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022.

Additionally, keep in mind that:

  • You do not have to receive permission from a candidate in to nominate them.
  • Nominations become the property of the Big Lakes Family & Community Services
Nominations will help the organizers properly honor each volunteer for their contribution to their communities and assist with planning the event.

Nomination forms must be filled out completely, then signed and returned to the selection committee by April 3, 2023. No late nominations will be accepted.

Submit a nomination form below or download an application and submit it in person to the County office, Town office, or any FCSS office. Fully completed forms can also be emailed to: [email protected]

FORM MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL TO BE PROCESSED.  INCOMPLETE OR LATE FORMS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Nominees must have been actively volunteering between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, to be recognized at the 2023 event. You may NOT nominate yourself or your spouse.

About the Nominee

Community Food Cupboards

The COVID-19 pandemic has made accessing nutritious food a challenge, especially in northern communities like our own where local access can be difficult. In February 2022, Big Lakes County’s Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the 2021 Second Harvest Emergency Food Security Fund. The purpose of this grant is to help strengthen food security in our communities and provide nutritious food to more Canadians. 

 

Big Lakes FCSS will use the funding they received from Second Harvest to install Community Food Cupboards in each of our hamlets: Enilda, Grouard, Joussard, Faust, and Kinuso. These Community Food Cupboards, stocked with non-perishable food items, will be available to anyone who needs it.

Community Food Cupboards are a community service that will provide free food to anyone who needs it, and a place for community members to drop-off donated food items. FCSS will keep the cupboards stocked with non-perishables until funding runs out. After that, the cupboards will be stocked entirely by community donations.

Anyone who can is welcome to donate, anyone in need is welcome to help themselves.

Cupboards will be located in Enilda, Faust, Grouard, Joussard and Kinuso by early spring 2022. Specific locations TBA.

Drop off donations at a cupboard in your community, or contact Tori for more information: 780-776-3811.

Wall of Fame Nomination

The purpose of the “Wall of Fame” is to recognize individuals or groups in our communities who have made the greatest all-round contributions to Citizenship. We appreciate your interest in the support of this important award. The name of all nominees will be kept confidential and only the nominees selected by the committee will be announced to the public.

Any group or individual may submit one or more nominations to the Big Lakes County Wall of Fame Selection Committee.

 

Nomination forms can be picked up at the Big Lakes County office, all FCSS outreach offices in the County. Forms must be filled out completely in order to be considered by the selection committee.

Candidates or groups who are within the geographical area of Big Lakes County who meet the eligibility criteria listed below. All nominees must be:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Involved in activity or activities that are voluntary in nature and are notpart of the candidate’s occupation or job description.
  • Involved in activity or activities that provide a benefit to our community,bring credit or distinction to our community or enhance life in ourcommunity. Such activities can be in any area of community service,cultural activities, recreation, civic service, youth work, or community promotion).

Additionally, keep in mind that:

  • You do not have to receive permission from a candidate in order tonominate them.
  • This award can be given posthumously.
  • Nominations become the property of the “Wall of Fame SelectionCommittee”

The award is given out in June at the Big Lakes County summer barbecue. At that time the winning candidate(s) will be recognized and added to the Wall of Fame at the County administration building in High Prairie.

Nominations can be delivered in person to the Big Lakes County offices, or mailed to the following address: Big Lakes County – Wall of Fame Committee, Box 239, High Prairie, AB T0G 1E0. Deadline is May 31, 2023.

Wall of Fame Nomination

Home Support Program

Home Support is offered to residents of Big Lakes County and the Town of High Prairie who may require assistance with household cleaning due to illness, age or medical condition. Big Lakes County Family and Community Support Services will provide up to 4 hours of service per week and service fees are charged based on income. Please contact the local Family and Community Support Services office in your community or call the County Office for more information. Toll Free 1-866-523-5955.

Christmas Angels

The Big Lakes Christmas Angels program provides a Christmas hamper to qualifying Big Lakes County residents, containing groceries for Christmas dinner and a breakfast, as well as a wrapped gift for children residing in the household under 16 years of age. The program is completely funded by donations and therefore can only provide hampers equal to the amount of donations. This means that not everyone that applies will get a hamper.

All members of the household must provide the following:

  • Valid identification and Alberta Health Care number
  • Proof of residence (such as a utility bill)
  • 2021 Tax Return or Notice of Assessment

If the household financial situation has changed in the past year, please also include:

  • Record of Employment or 3 months of your most recent bank statements
  • 3 most recent pay stubs or a letter from your employer

Applicants must meet all financial criteria to qualify. Only residents of Big Lakes County will be considered.

Applications must be completed with a Big Lakes FCSS employee. Please schedule an appointment with your local FCSS worker.

This program is completely funded by donations. We are asking for contributions of cash to purchase groceries and toys needed to assemble hampers. 

Donations are accepted at the Big Lakes County High Prairie Admin office, the Kinuso hamlet office, and all FCSS offices. They can also be mailed to Box 239 High Prairie, AB T0G 1E0. Tax receipts will be issued.