Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) Listening Session

In May 2018, Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) listening sessions were held in Edmonton and Calgary. This fall we are hosting additional listening sessions to hear from you if what we heard in May is reflective of family’s concerns about FSCD specialized services; about the changes made in response; about communication between FSCD, parents and service providers; and how the FSCD Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT) process can be more supportive to parents.

If you were not aware of the May listening sessions or the changes made, please visit the FSCD website at http://www.humanservices.alberta.ca/disability-services/15655.html. Here you will find a copy of the ‘What we Heard’ report as well as ‘tip sheets’ that provide updated and clarified information about FSCD specialized services. The ‘What we Heard’ report highlights the concerns parents raised and the government’s commitment to changes. You can also contact your FSCD worker or your regional office for more information about the policy updates and the practice shifts being made.

Below are the upcoming FSCD listening sessions across the province. Parents, service providers and others are welcome to register to attend a session. Each listening session is limited to 50 participants due to space and the desire to have small group discussions where we can hear from you. If the listening session you’re interested in attending is “full” and you’d like to speak with someone, please click on “Contact” below and then click “contact the organizer” to provide your contact information and someone will contact you within two business days.

If you are a parent and require assistance with costs for your attendance such as travel, parking, and respite there will be assistance with these costs through your FSCD Agreement or reimbursement. You are welcome to bring your child with you however, there will not be onsite childcare.

If you are unable to attend one of the listening sessions, but want to comment on the “What we Heard Report”, the changes made, ways to improve communication and how the FSCD Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT) process can be more supportive to families, you can provide your input by email to FSCDparents@gov.ab.ca. Alternatively, you can also go to the Listening Sessions Webpage at https://www.alberta.ca/fscd-listening-sessions.aspx to provide feedback.

While the listening sessions will be focused on specific discussions as noted above, you are welcome to email FSCDparents@gov.ab.ca with any other concerns or comments you may have or to contact the Executive Director for Disability Services, Roxanne Gerbrandt at roxanne.gerbrandt@gov.ab.ca.

When you register, you will be able to select from any of the following listening sessions:

• Grande Prairie, Tuesday, October 9, 2018, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• Calgary, Wednesday, October 10, 2018, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
• Calgary, Thursday, October 11, 2018, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
• Calgary, Saturday, October 13, 2018, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
• Lethbridge, Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
• Medicine Hat, Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
• Red Deer, Thursday, October 18, 2018, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
• Edmonton, Monday, October 22, 1:00 to 3:00 pm
• Edmonton, Wednesday, October 24, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
• Edmonton, Thursday, October 25, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
• Fort McMurray, Thursday, October 25, 2018, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
• St. Paul, Monday, October 29, 2018, 7:30 to 9:30 pm
• Red Deer, Tuesday, October 30, 2018, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
• Remote session (using Zoom) Thursday November 1 , 2018 3:00 to 5:00 pm