Central Alberta FASD Network
Annual General Meeting 2020
Date: November 23, 2020
Time: 10:00 am
Location: ZOOM through Eventbrite
Agenda
1. Welcome
2. Review Agenda, Acceptance of Oct 17, 2019 AGM Minutes
3. Executive Director’s Report – Julie Nanson
4. Presentation of the Audited Financial Report 2019 – 2020
5. Appointment of Auditor – Swainson Alexander LLP
6. Status of Board Positions
7. Closing
Vision, Mission and Values Statement
VISION STATEMENT
We envision a future where all individuals and communities impacted by FASD are supported to reach their fullest potential across the lifespan, and there is a continuous reduction in alcohol-exposed pregnancies
MISSION STATEMENT
The Central Alberta FASD Network believes in treating all individuals with respect, accepting our clients for who they are, and celebrating their uniqueness. In order to engage our clients and their caregivers across the lifespan, we provide community-based services and individualized support, in a safe and non-judgmental environment. We strive to support persons living with FASD and their caregivers by offering education and training, outreach and prevention and assessment and diagnosis services, and through informed and inclusive collaborative partnerships.
VALUES STATEMENT
We believe in engaging all individuals with respect, celebrating their uniqueness, and supporting each in their current personal journey. The FASD Network supports a person-centered approach to client care and embraces the core values of dignity, individuality, empathy, integrity, collaboration, innovation, adaptability, and leadership
Executive Director’s Report
Our 2019/2020 year has been full of exciting changes and transitions, as well as challenges in the face of the pandemic. In my second year as Executive Director for the Central Alberta FASD Network, I have had the privilege to work with a dedicated Board of Directors who have worked diligently and been exceptionally supportive. I am thrilled that the board is committed to a vision of a staffing and programming plan that solidifies a team approach, while being mindful of the benefits of change and innovation.
We continue to be grateful to our contracted organizations for their contribution to supporting those impacted by FASD in Central Alberta, and to our Diagnostic Team for providing dedicated hours to assessment and diagnosis services for our clients. Our clients are at the very heart of the Central Alberta FASD Network, and it is with gratitude that we serve them.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The past year was devoted to revitalizing our board member compliment. We focused on recruiting individuals that combined targeted skill sets with a dedication to raising awareness of FASD, and a willingness to advocate to remove the stigma often associated with this disability. We will continue to recruit board members throughout 2020/2021 to complete our full board commitment. The board is particularly interested and motivated to diversify the membership with a focus on enlisting additional Indigenous members. Also, we are delighted to announce the Indigenous subcommittee of the board, led by our board chair and joined by additional members and employees of the Network.
STRATEGIC PLANNING and FUNDING
Of note is the 2019/2020 development of the Network’s strategic planning process that will coincide with the Government of Alberta Cross Ministry’s Strategic and Operational Plan. The plan corresponds with the encouraging news that the provincial system of FASD Networks have been granted a three-year funding agreement for 2020 – 2023.
CLIENTS
The positive impact on the communities we serve in Central Alberta is felt in every interaction we have with our clients, and the testimonials we hear from individuals and communities impacted by FASD. In 2018/2019 our unique client count was 412 and by the second quarter ending October 31, 2020 we have a unique client count of 736. Although the tremendous growth in numbers is in part due to a more detailed reporting strategy, we have also grown both our internal employee numbers, and contracted agencies, as well as increased the number of completed FASD assessments.
ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS – FASD DIAGNOSTIC CLINIC
In 2019/2020 our Clinic Coordinator successfully led the Red Deer Clinic Team in completing 18 adult and youth assessments. Still only in quarter two of 2020/2021, we have already completed 37 combined assessments in our Red Deer Clinic Office. We are also pleased to expand our team to include a Clinic Assistant.
We are happy to announce that the 2020 spring pilot of a diagnostic clinic in the O’Chiese and Sunchild reserves, prompted the proposition for a Clinic Team specific to the West Country. Still in the planning stages, a West Country team would remove some of the barriers that prevent individuals living in this area of Central Alberta, from accessing timely assessment and diagnosis services.
In 2019/2020 we were also able to initiate a pilot program in Drumheller, Bowden and Red Deer Remand Institutions to provide education, awareness, support and assessment and diagnosis in these institutions. Although the onset of the Covid pandemic ceased our ability to provide in person services and complete the assessments that were started in the spring of 2020, we remain dedicated to following through with our initiative in the future once the institutions re-open to the public.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND SUPPORT
Although the pandemic altered the way we provide services, it did not stop our staff and contracted agencies from interacting with our clients and communities. We employed appropriate PPE, hygiene protocols, and social distancing parameters, in order to continue to provide services. Further, we utilized social media platforms, telephone contacts and video access, through zoom and web ex, to continue in-person connections.
2019/2020 also realized the creation of Caregiver Support Groups, an FASD Life Skill Group and an FASD Monthly Support Group, all providing a means of expanding our services.
CORRECTIONS
We commenced new partnerships and a commitment to the concept of restorative practices, with the FASD Youth Restorative Justice Intervention Program. Partnering with our Corrections Coordinator and the Red Deer RCMP, the Crown and a Better Way Restorative Consulting, we have started the pilot project to address the needs of individuals with FASD involved in the criminal justice system. We are interested in growing this program to encompass adults and provide opportunities for training in restorative practices throughout Central Alberta.
COMMUNITY AWARENESS and FUNDRAISING
Perhaps one of our principal accomplishments this year was related to community awareness, and the launch of our social media and fundraising campaigns, led by our Community Prevention and Education Coordinator. We received our charity status, began developing partnerships with businesses and groups who participate in third-party fundraising events, purchased donation items, and have two events planned over the next few months, The Giving Tree event for November/December and The Jail and Bail event planned for February 2021. This is the first time the Central Alberta FASD Network has attempted to raise programming dollars via fundraising and third-party events. This is a great opportunity to invest in the growth of the Network and increase our ability to provide services to our clients and communities.
Additionally, we have provided multiple free, and fee for service, education opportunities over zoom and social media that were widely attended and included individuals from all over Canada and internationally. In the planning stages are additional in depth, fee for service, training and learning opportunities intended for roll out in 2021.
Our 2020 International FASD Day was a great success, albeit held over zoom, and still managed remarkable attendance numbers, and the highest number of Champion Award Nominees the Network has ever seen.
CLOSING
As we look to 2021, please join us as we move forward, crossing into new areas of programming, renewing longstanding relationships, and fostering new partnerships. I would like to close with some touching words from a client replying to the following question:
“What do you wish people knew more about how to support you?”
“Like I said before, the only thing I can think of is give us time, give us space, give us a chance, some of us are better than we appear.”
Board of Directors
Jason Sansregret Chair
Chad Erickson Vice-Chair
Derek Turner Treasurer
Penny Ure Director at Large
Misty Dionne Director at Large
Kerry Lowe Director at Large
Marijke Besaw Secretary
Central Alberta FASD Network team
Julie Nanson-Ashton Executive Director
Marijke Besaw Executive Admin
Allyssa Deheer Clinic Coordinator
Mikaela Kykkanen Clinic Assistant/Community Outreach and Support Worker
Chris Chabot Community Outreach and Prevention Worker
Janel Dodd Corrections Services Coordinator
Nikki Whitehead Community Outreach and Support Worker
Tammy Predovic Community Prevention Coordinator
Clinic Team
Meyer Schoeman Physician
Jared Froese Psychologist
Karen Nolan Speech-Language Pathologist
Rose Plett Occupational Therapist
Community Contracts
Accredited Supports to the Community
• Parent Child Assistance Program – PCAP
• Little R&R
• Growing Families
Catholic Social Services
• FASD Support for Children and Families
Family Services of Central Alberta
• Parent Child Assistance Program – PCAP
McMan Central
• FASD Community Outreach Program
Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter Association
• Parent Child Assistance Program – PCAP
Red Deer Native Friendship Society
• Parent Child Assistance Program – PCAP
South Central FASD Committee
• FASD Community Outreach Program
• Respite Program for Families
Alberta Health Services, Central Zone
• Pediatric Specialty Clinic, Camrose
Other Contracts and Connections
A Better Way Restorative Consulting
Generation Red Road
RPA Consulting