A rendering of the soon-to-be-constructed Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre on the grounds of Red Deer Polytechnic. (Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Supporting Vulnerable Youth

Province announces $3.4 million investment for Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre

Mar 1, 2022 | 5:22 PM

The Alberta government has announced a $3.4 million investment to help build a new Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) in Red Deer to provide services to vulnerable children and youth.

Officials note the CACAC will advocate for and provide services to children facing child abuse and mental health issues. Alberta’s government has approved a land lease between Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) and CACAC for about one acre, where a new facility will be located in behind the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

(Supplied)

“Child abuse has no place in our province and Alberta’s government is committed to keeping vulnerable children safe,” said Premier Jason Kenney, in Red Deer, on Tuesday. “Through this unique project, we will provide a mix of social and justice services to ensure we support victims, prosecute offenders and deliver critical mental health supports.”

Government officials note that this is the first successful project approved through the government’s unsolicited proposals framework. The framework provides a pathway for private sector organizations like CACAC to bring government investment ideas and/or innovative technologies. Officials say the goal is to provide public infrastructure, including social service facilities, highways, public transportation, health clinics, schools, housing, agriculture and irrigation systems.

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“We are keen on supporting any viable project put forward by the private sector to help ensure Albertans get the infrastructure they need,” said Prasad Panda, Minister of Infrastructure. “The new Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre is a tremendous example of what can be achieved when we collaborate. Together, we can build communities, boost economies, support jobs and provide critical services to vulnerable Albertans.”

“The new Child Advocacy Centre will provide a host of opportunities for post-secondary students in both child care and children services,” added Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Advanced Education, in a statement on Tuesday. “Through work-integrated learning opportunities, we are providing employers with access to new talent while preparing for Alberta’s economic recovery and aligning educational outcomes with labour market needs.”

“Together with Alberta’s government, we’re bringing to life a one-of-a-kind model in Canada,” explained Mark Jones, chief executive officer, Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre. “This funding announcement affirms that our government leaders are declaring that children who risk coming forward need all the help we can muster. They are acting so that victims of child abuse and those facing mental health issues find the very best supports at what could be their most vulnerable time.”

“When we found out we were getting the infrastructure piece, it was a huge celebration for our organization because it made what we are doing, real,” he explained. “We know when we see kids come through our door, they’re different when they leave the door and to be able to have that centre built on the Polytechnic land, we know we’re not only taking care of our kids that are with us, but we’re also taking the future generation of people that are going to go out and help kids.”

Amanda Bruin, a survivor and warrior of child sexual abuse, says her heart just exploded when she found out the project was going to get started.

“It warms my heart to see how far not only myself have come in the last five years, but how far Red Deer has come and how Red Deer wants to do the change,” she exclaimed. “I’d love to see that the cases go up because it means we’re putting an end to it, but I’d hate to see the cases go up because it means it’s still happening and in order for it to not happen, it needs to be brought forward and needs to be not a guilt and shame type situation.”

Quick facts

• The total project cost for the new Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre is $22.4 million. This includes $19 million in donor funding and equity and $3.4 million from the Alberta government, which will be used to connect utility lines to service the land.
• Alberta’s government approved the lease of land from Red Deer Polytechnic under a 50-year lease agreement at $1 per year.
• The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre will construct and operate the new centre.
• Building design is currently underway and the CACAC is working with the community to facilitate construction which is hoped to be completed and operational by summer 2023.