By Troy Gillard

new funding model

Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre receives big boost in provincial funding

Feb 21, 2020 | 11:42 AM

The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) in Red Deer will see a big increase in provincial funding.

On Friday, the government announced a new funding model for child advocacy centres across the Alberta. Officials say the new model, which takes into account previous base funding, the volume of clients served, and the intensity of need based on a community’s child intervention caseload, is consistent and equitable and will replace the previous system of annual grants.

Total funding amounts to centres across the province will not change, officials note, but will be distributed based on the new model.

“This new funding model will ensure fairness across the province and give families certainty in accessing the supports they need,” says Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Children’s Services.

The change works out incredibly well for the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre as their annual provincial funding will double from $150,000 in 2019 to $303,530 for 2020-2023.

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“We’re thrilled, absolutely thrilled,” says CACAC CEO Mark Jones. “This is a celebration for everybody who’s believed in what we’re doing and has supported us from the beginning.”

The province is providing $3.4 million per year for 2020-23 to support child advocacy centres in Edmonton, Calgary, Grande Prairie, Red Deer, Lloydminster and Fort McMurray. Funding has been set aside for centres in Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, should they become operational.

The province says funding in each centre will be directed towards multidisciplinary triage, forensic interviews, victim advocacy, court preparation, and service coordination (medical and mental health referrals).

“I was extremely impressed because Minister Schultz called personally to give the news and said she really appreciated the work we’re doing in central Alberta and how the people have gotten behind what we’re doing,” shared Jones, who admitted Friday will go down as one of the most exciting days in their brief history.

“To go from what was happening two years ago to where we’re at now is pretty impressive, and we’re proud of the work we’re doing.”