What is FCSS?
Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) is a joint municipal/provincial funding program established to develop, support and fund preventive social services. The program is governed by the Family and Community Support Services Act, which emphasizes prevention, voluntarism, 80-20 cost sharing between the provincial and municipal partners, and enhanced local autonomy.
Who benefits from FCSS?
Agencies and programs funded by FCSS align with at least one of the FCSS funding priorities: Strengthening Neighbourhoods and Increasing Social Inclusion as outlined in the Social Sustainability Framework. Promoting Social Inclusion focuses on five vulnerable populations: immigrants, Aboriginal people, families, children and youth, and seniors.
All FCSS-funded agencies and programs are supported to ensure that their work reflects evidence-based best practices in prevention.
Why focus on prevention?
Research shows that an investment of $1 in preventive social services yields a social return on investment of up to $6 to $13 in other costs such as policing, justice, addictions treatment and increases productivity in employment and contributions to society.
Who manages FCSS programs?
The City of Calgary FCSS Division manages the FCSS funding program and collaborates with agencies and the community to align activities with demonstrated best practices that increase protective factors and/or reduce risk factors. Service planning and funding allocations are two primary functions of the FCSS Division.
The FCSS Division reviews funding requests from social agencies and makes recommendations to the Standing Policy Committee on Community & Protective Services, which acts as the FCSS Calgary Board. The Committee reviews the funding recommendations and forwards its decisions to City Council for ratification.
What types of programs and services does FCSS fund?
In addition to being consistent with the FCSS Act, programs and services must:
- Be consistent with City Council's funding priorities: Strengthening Neighbourhoods and Increasing Social Inclusion;
- Be collaborative and not duplicate existing programs;
- Involve volunteers;
- Utilize evidence-based best practice;
- State objectives in measurable terms; and
- Demonstrate good governance and administration.
Program Logic Model of FCSS Calgary
Vision:
Calgarians working together to create and sustain a viable, safe and caring community.
Mission:
FCSS Calgary partners with community agencies, other city business units and other funder, to fund preventive social services that support and enhance the lives of Calgarians.
The FCSS Theory of Change:
FCSS Calgary prevents or minimizes the impact of social problems by funding community organizations to increase social inclusion and strengthen neighbourhoods using research-based best and promising practices.
Program Logic Model:
FCSS Program Logic Model 
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