Alberta
The Deadline for the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre Dream Home lottery is Sunday
The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre Dream Home Lottery ticket deadline is Sunday, April 7. Please take a moment to see and share these reasons for supporting our most vulnerable kids. Most importantly.. click on this link to visit the lottery website.
10 Children Supported in one week. In this week alone, we have seen & supported 10 kids here at the Centre.
These children have been impacted by child abuse in some capacity: sexual abuse, physical, neglect, witness to domestic violence, sexual exploitation and emotional abuse.
9 Quilting Groups who make it possible to give our littles the comfort of their very own quilt.
When a child first visits our Centre they are often afraid, confused, and sad. After the interview, or other support they receive, it is incredible to witness the change in them. They stand a little taller, and leave knowing that today is the start of their healthy future.
Thanks to some amazing groups of ladies we are also fortunate enough to give a child a quilt afterwards, wrapping themselves with the comfort knowing it is going to be ok. These ladies stop by every couple months to bring us these hand-made pieces which takes many many hours, days and weeks to make.
8 New Communities Supported this Month.
In the month of March, we have supported children and their families impacted by child abuse from 8 new communities throughout Central Alberta.
Since opening, we have served 61 communities.
Although we are located in Red Deer, we support more than half of our cases from surrounding communities: Sylvan Lake, Alix, Lacombe, Bashaw – your community.
7 Core Staff at the CACAC
The CACAC is comprised of a group driven by courage to end the cycle of abuse. What many do not know is that we are a small team, only made up of 7 core staff just as of this month!
We wouldn’t be able to do this alone though, it is through our collaboration with our 7 partners that makes it possible: RCMP, Central Region Children’s Services, AHS, Alberta Education, Alberta Justice, Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre, and RDC.
It is also through YOU that we are able to support the children of Central Alberta. We rely on the support and advocacy of the community and we need your help.
To support the CACAC and the vulnerable children of Central Alberta, please buy your Dream Home Lottery ticket before it’s too late. All proceeds go directly to supporting children and their families impacted by child abuse.
6 Years since Bill 25: The Children First Act – Alberta Children’s Charter was enacted.
#DidYouKnow: The Children First Act was passed 6 years ago here in Alberta, allowing pertinent information to be shared among service providers – if deemed beneficial to the child or for the provision of services.
This is what allows all of our partners to work together at ‘triage’. They are able to share important case information which expedites the process – and in-turn propels healing & recovery for the child.
Although this act allows for government agencies to collaborate and work together here at the CACAC, we still rely on the community for the majority of funding.
5 Operating Child Advocacy Centres in Alberta
We are proud to be apart of the 5 open & operating CACs in Alberta – operating for a full 16 months! Other CACs in Alberta include: Zebra Child Protection Centre Calgary & Area Child Advocacy Centre Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services Caribou Child & Youth Centre .
All of these Centres collaborate on best practices & support one another in order to best support the children of Alberta affected by Child Abuse.
4 X more likely for child abuse survivors to report self-harm or suicidal ideations.
This staggering statistic is another reason why support throughout and after the initial process is so crucial. For the survivor, it doesn’t just end at the potential court hearing, or even at the forensic interview – healing is a life-long journey.
Through our partnership with Alberta Health Services, we now have our Mental Health Therapist here onsite at the CACAC – providing the much needed support and therapy for both the child and their family to end the cycle of abuse.
3 | 1 in 3 Canadians report to have experienced some form of child abuse in their youth.
We have shared this stat with you before, but let it sink in. In Canada, 33% of our population has been affected by child abuse.
This is someone you most likely know and would never expect. This is someone that is homeless struggling with addiction because they have no other way to cope and didn’t receive the crucial support. This may be your neighbor, your cousin, your best friend, your niece.
Many times, the story is not shared or reported until a much older age where the survivor has been struggling internally for years.
Help support the 1 in 3 Canadians that are survivors of abuse.
2 or more partners have collaborated on 87% of cases
Out of the 483 (as of March 27) children we have supported, 87% of the cases were through collaborative efforts between 2 or more of our service partners. We work with Alberta Health Services, Central Region Children’s Services, Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre, and the RCMP.
Through this collaboration, more information is shared – reducing the time for a child to receive proper support.
Your Dream Home Ticket helps support these collaborative measures in-turn, supports the 483 seen at the Centre and the many more we will support.
For $35 you can influence positive outcomes in the lives of abused children living in Central Alberta communities.
1 Ticket can change the life of a child
Your $35 ticket doesn’t just give you the chance to win an amazing house, cars or other prizes – it changes the life of the children that we support at the Centre.
All of the proceeds from the Dream Home Lottery support the most vulnerable children of Central Alberta – those impacted by child abuse. This abuse ranges from physical, to sexual, to being a witness of domestic violence, peer-to-peer abuse and unfortunately much more.
Your $35 is a donation and helps give back the promise and possibility of a healthy future to those that need it most.
Please buy your ticket before its too late, and support the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre and our mission to end the cycle of child abuse.
Tickets:
www.cacaclottery.ca
1-833-475-4402
57 Larratt Close – open Sunday until 5pm.
Alberta
Alberta school boards required to meet new standards for school library materials with regard to sexual content
Alberta’s government has introduced new standards to ensure school library materials are age-appropriate.
School libraries should be safe and supportive places where students can learn and explore without being exposed to inappropriate sexual content. However, in the absence of a consistent standard for selecting age-appropriate library materials, school boards have taken different approaches, leading to concerns about safeguards in place.
In response to these concerns, and informed by feedback from education partners and the public, Alberta’s government has created standards to provide school boards with clear direction on the selection, availability and access to school library materials, such as books.
“Our actions to ensure that materials in school libraries don’t expose children to sexual content were never about banning books. These new standards are to ensure that school boards have clear guidance to ensure age-appropriate access to school library materials, while reflecting the values and priorities of Albertans.”
The new standards set clear expectations for school library materials with regard to sexual content and require school boards to implement policies to support these standards.
Standards for school library materials
Under the new standards, school libraries are not permitted to include library materials containing explicit sexual content. Non-explicit sexual content may be accessible to students in Grade 10 and above, provided it is age-appropriate.
“Protecting kids from explicit content is common sense. LGBTQ youth, like all children, deserve to see themselves in stories that are age-appropriate, supportive and affirming – not in material that sexualizes or confuses them.”
School boards must also regularly review their school library collections, publish a full list of available materials and ensure that a staff member supervises students’ access to school library materials. School boards will have to remove any materials with explicit sexual content from their school libraries by October 1.
School board policies and procedures
All school boards must have publicly available policies that align with the new standards for selecting and managing library materials by January 1, 2026. School boards can either create new policies or update existing ones to meet these requirements.
These policies must outline how school library materials are selected and reviewed, how staff supervise students’ access throughout the school day, and how a student, parent, school board employee or other member of the school community can request a review or removal of materials in the school library. School boards are also required to clearly communicate these policies to employees, students and parents before January 2026.
“A robust, grade- and age-appropriate library catalogue is vital for student success. We welcome the ministry’s initiative to establish consistent standards and appreciate the ongoing consultation to help craft a plan that will serve our families and communities well.”
“Red Deer Public Schools welcomes the new provincial standards for school library materials. Our division is committed to maintaining welcoming, respectful learning spaces where students can grow and thrive. Under the new standards for school libraries, we remain dedicated to providing learning resources that reflect our values and support student success.”
Quick facts
- The new standards will apply to public, separate, francophone, charter and independent schools.
- The ministerial order does not apply to municipal libraries located within schools or materials selected for use by teachers as learning and teaching resources.
- From May 26 to June 6, almost 80,000 people completed an online survey to provide feedback on the creation of consistent standards to ensure the age-appropriateness of materials available to students in school libraries.
Related information
- Ministerial Order
- School library standards engagement
- Reference Materials: Content warning: this document contains graphic content that may be disturbing to viewers and is not appropriate for young viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
Regional health councils give Albertans a voice
Albertans want a health care system that reflects where they live and adapts to the unique needs of their communities. As part of the province’s health care refocus, Alberta’s government committed to strengthening community voices by providing more opportunities for Albertans to bring forward their local priorities and offer input on how to improve the system.
The regional advisory councils, made up of 150 members from 71 communities, will advise Alberta’s four health ministries and the newly refocused health agencies: Primary Care Alberta, Acute Care Alberta, Assisted Living Alberta and Recovery Alberta. Each council will explore solutions to local challenges and identify opportunities for the health system to better support community decision-making.
“By hearing first-hand community feedback directly, we can build a system that is more responsive, more inclusive and ultimately more effective for everyone. I am looking forward to hearing the councils’ insights, perspectives and solutions to improve health care in all corners of our province.”
“Regional advisory councils will strengthen acute care by giving communities a direct voice. Their insights will help us address local needs, improve patient outcomes and ensure timely access to hospital services.”
“A ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach does not address unique regional needs when it comes to mental health and addiction challenges. These councils will help us hear directly from communities, allowing us to tailor supports and services to meet the needs of Albertans where they are.”
“Every community has unique needs, especially when it comes to seniors and vulnerable populations. These regional advisory councils will help us better understand those needs and ensure that assisted living services are shaped by the people who rely on them.”
Members include Albertans from all walks of life, health care workers, community leaders, Indigenous and municipal representatives, and others with a strong tie to their region. About one-third of members work in health care, and more than half of the council chairs are health professionals. Almost one-quarter are elected municipal officials, including 10 serving as chairs or vice-chairs. Ten councils also include a representative from a local health foundation.
Council members will share local and regional perspectives on health care services, planning and priorities to help ensure decisions reflect the realities of their communities. By engaging with residents, providers and organizations, they will gather feedback, identify challenges and bring forward ideas that may not otherwise reach government.
Through collaboration and community-informed solutions, members will help make the health system more responsive, accessible and better able to meet the needs of Albertans across the province.
“As Primary Care Alberta works to improve access to primary health care services and programs across Alberta, we are grateful to have the opportunity to tap into a dedicated group of community leaders and representatives. These people know their communities and local needs, and we look forward to learning from their experiences and knowledge as we shape the future of primary care in Alberta.”
“The regional advisory councils will help to bring forward the voices of patients, families and front-line providers from every corner of Alberta. Their insights will help us plan smarter and deliver care that’s timely, effective and truly local. We look forward to working closely with them to strengthen hospital and surgical services across the province.”
“Nobody understands the health care challenges unique to a community better than the people who live there. The regional health advisory councils are made up of those living and working on the front lines across the province, ensuring we are getting the perspective of Albertans most affected by our health care system.”
“Alongside Recovery Alberta’s staff and physician team, these regional advisory councils will build upon the high standard of mental health, addiction and correctional health services delivered in Alberta.”
Indigenous Advisory Council
Alberta’s government continues to work directly with Indigenous leaders across the province to establish the Indigenous Advisory Council to strengthen health care services for First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities.
With up to 22 members, including Indigenous health care workers, community leaders and individuals receiving health care services, the council will represent diverse perspectives across Alberta. Members will provide community perspectives about clinical service planning, capital projects, workforce development and cultural integration in health care.
Related information
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