Alberta government aiming to strengthen early intervention supports

Aug 20, 2026 | 3:20 PM

The Alberta government says it is investing more than $3 million to help families access supports before a crisis happens.

Provincial officials say grant applications are now open for Family Resource Network programs to provide prevention and early intervention services that support Alberta families, including children and youth, through challenging times before they reach a crisis.

A $3.2 million investment is being made through this grant call, say provincial officials, bringing the total annual investment in Family Resource Networks across the province to $66.7 million. Applications are open until Sept. 29.

Officials note that Family Resource Networks in urban, rural and Indigenous communities offer free services including parenting and caregiver education, home-based supports, early childhood and youth development activities and short-term community-based mental health support. They help families reconnect, build confidence, strengthen relationships and access the services they need closer to home, officials point out.

“Alberta families deserve access to supports and services that help them work through difficulty early,” explains Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services. “Through this investment, we are strengthening access to services that help children, youth and families build stronger relationships and continue to thrive in their communities.”

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The government says the grant call is seeking applications for critical services such as intensive youth and caregiver supports, child development supports and in-home services, which have been identified as areas of need by Family Resource Networks across the province.

Officials say this investment is part of Alberta’s renewed approach to Family Resource Networks, informed by program evaluation findings and feedback from service providers. This approach is expected to help ensure coordinated service delivery across Alberta, strengthen supports for children, youth and families with the greatest needs, and ensure funding is directed to where it is needed the most.

The government says Family Resource Networks were launched in 2020 to help reduce the need for child intervention by providing prevention and early intervention supports for children, youth and families.

According to the province, in 2024-25, about 52,400 caregivers and 76,500 children and youth accessed services through Family Resource Networks.

by rdnewsNOW Staff

Alberta government aiming to strengthen early intervention supports

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