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Program Listing

The Community Services team offers a variety of programs to meet many different needs.

Below are some we have offered in the past or may be offering down the road but have not yet been scheduled. Call us at (403) 207-7050 or send an email to pc******@ch*********.ca to let us know if you’d like to see a specific program offering soon.

Please fill out the form below to apply for new Community Access Program (CAP) Expansion benefits.

Community Support Services General Inquiry Form

CAP Program

WHAT IS CAP?

The Community Access Program (CAP) is a wonderful initiative aimed at enhancing community engagement and accessibility. CAP is dedicated to providing residents with opportunities to connect, learn, and enjoy various activities that promote a strong sense of community.

 

Each year, eligible residents can apply for a card to participate in the program. The card gives participants access to community memberships, classes, transit passes, and additional offerings made available by local businesses.

Each partnering business decides what discount will be applied to the program/service being offered to CAP participants. Each card expires on December 31 each year and must be renewed at Chestermere Community Support Services located at City Hall.

 

PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

 With your eligibility and CAP card, you can access the following subsidies:

  • Camp Chestermere Subsidy
  • Calgary Yacht Club Subsidy
  • Chestermere Library Card
  • Chestermere Recreation Community Association Subsidy
  • Harmony Health and Fitness Discount
  • Kids Up Front tickets
  • Community Volunteer Income Tax Program
  • Synergy Membership
  • TELUS Spark Centre Passes
  • Transportation Subsidy
  • Whitecappers Membership
  • Rocky View Bus

 

HOW TO APPLY

Contact Community Support Services using the form above for application information.

Please Provide:

  • Proof of Chestermere Residence
  • I.D for household members
  • Proof of income

 

Acceptable Proof of Income for Financial Need:

  • Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment
  • Assured Income for Severely Handicapped benefits (AISH)
  • Alberta Works Learners or Alberta Health Benefit
  • Letter from a Registered Social Worker (RSW)
  • Income lower than Chestermere Living Wage.
  • 3 Month Bank Statements

 

All information provided to staff is kept strictly confidential.

 

 

 

 

Circle of Security

The Circle of Security® program is designed to offer the core elements of secure attachment to parents and caregivers.

Our work is based upon the following:

1. The quality of parent/child relationship shapes child behavior
2. Parents have innate wisdom and a desire for their children to be secure
3. Parents struggle without a coherent road-map of their children’s needs
4. Supporting parent reflection on their strengths and struggles, allows them to make new choices in the direction of security

At the heart of this program is the notion that supporting security in the current generation will positively influence the shape of future generations.

The Circle of Security program is facilitated with a group of parents once a week for 90-minutes over an 8-week period.

Circle of Security Parenting - Registration From

Kids Have Stress Too & Stress Lessons

Even the most nurturing home and school environment includes a range of stressors that can both challenge and motivate children. The Kids Have Stress Too and Stress Lessons programs were designed by the Psychology Foundation of Canada to help the important people in children’s’ lives  (the parents and caregivers) learn to promote resiliency by buffering the impact of stress, and building positive coping strategies to deal with life’s stressors.

We offer several parenting workshops throughout the year that focus on providing you with information and strategies to help support your child’s social-emotional health, and their ability to cope with stress.

Selection of Programs:

  • Kids Have Stress Too! Kindergarten and Preschool Program (3-6 years)
  • Kids Have Stress Too! Parent Program (Grades 1-3) 
  • Stress Lessons Parent Program (Grades 4-6)
  • Stress Lessons Parent Program (Grades 7-9)

Social Thinking Programs

Social thinking is the process of interpreting the thoughts, beliefs, intentions, emotions, knowledge and actions of others. By helping children build social competencies early on in life will allow them to cultivate healthy relationships, and to be successful in school and in life. We offer two Social Thinking programs, We Thinkers (ages 3-5) and Superhero Social Thinking (ages 6-10). We invite parents and caregivers to attend with their children so that families can learn these skills together in a fun and interactive environment.

We Thinkers (Ages 3-5)

During this 6-week program, parents/caregivers and their children (ages 3-5) will learn about social skills through interactive stories and engaging activities. Topics covered include thinking thoughts & feeling feelings, the group plan, thinking with your eyes, body in the group, and whole-body listening. This program will help your child develop the skills needed for social success in Kindergarten and beyond!

Superhero Social Training (Ages 6-10)

During this 6-week program, parents/caregivers and their children (ages 6-10) will learn about social skills through interactive stories, engaging activities, crafts, and more. Together, parents and children learn how to be ‘social detectives’, use their Superflex Powers, and defeat the Unthinkables. This program is filled with imagination and fun for everyone!

Positive Parenting Program (Triple P)

Chances are you’re looking for practical help with some common parenting problems such as:

  • infant’s sleep-patterns or persistent crying
  • toddler tantrums
  • mealtime mayhem
  • fighting and aggression
  • a young teenager’s defiance

 

Or there might be no problem at all.  You might be thinking about how to best support your child as he or she starts school, to set a homework pattern, to encourage healthy eating, or set a bedtime routine.  And if you’re “expecting”, it’s never too early to learn what to expect!

Whatever your parenting need, no matter how simple or complex, Triple P has the information, tip sheet, book, DVD, seminar, course, or practitioner to help you. As one of the few evidence-based parenting programs available worldwide, with over 25 years of proven clinical research to back it up, you can be sure Triple P works for the majority of families. Triple P has helped thousands of families and has the seal of approval of parents, practitioners, and experts worldwide. 

PCSS Selection of Programs

  • Triple P Selected Seminar Workshop Series – An introduction to the strategies of positive parenting and Triple P. Parents attend any number of three 90-minute seminars (Power of Positive Parenting; Raising Confident, Competent Children; and Raising Resilient Children) or any of the three seminars in the Teen Triple P Seminar Series (Raising Responsible Teenagers; Raising Competent Teenagers and Getting Teenagers Connected). Take-home tip sheets are given to all parents who attend Triple P seminars.

 

  • Triple P Discussion Groups  – Two-hour small group sessions, targeting a specific problem behavior or issue. Each discussion group can be taken as a stand-alone session or as part of a series. There are four topics for parents of children 0 –12 (Dealing with disobedience; Managing fighting and aggression; Developing good bedtime routines, and Hassle-free shopping with children) and four in Teen Triple P Discussion Groups for parents of 12 –16-year-olds (Coping with teenagers’ emotions; Reducing family conflict; Getting teenagers to cooperate, and Building teenagers’ survival skills).

 

  • Brief Primary Care and Brief Primary Care Teen – Delivered opportunistically by a practitioner who provides regular support to parents of children or teenagers. A brief one-on-one consultation of 15–30 minutes targets a specific issue. If required, there can be a follow-up visit or phone call.

Bundle of Support

Adjusting to life while pregnant or after a baby can be a scary and emotional time for many new moms, which is why we have created the Bundle of Support program. Moms will receive support, resources, and encouragement to help navigate the transition to parenthood in a safe and welcoming environment.

Transit Subsidy

WHAT IS IT?
The transit subsidy allows Chestermere residents experiencing affordability
issues to purchase monthly passes at a lower cost up to an individual of $500  subsidy per year. The purchased items can be used in and around Chestermere and Calgary during the specified timeframe.

HOW TO ACCESS

  1. Complete and submit the online form, Community Support Services-General In-take form above.
  • Under the Community Support Services section, select any area of support you need, including “Transit Subsidy”
  • Be prepared to have at least 1 proof of identity AND income status to determine financial need for verification:
  • Proof of identity: drivers license, passport, Alberta’s registration card, and/or student ID
  • Proof of income: notice of assessment, benefits statement from Assured Income for the severely handicapped,   learner income support statement, seniors financial       assistance  statement, a letter from a registered Social worker, or a 3 month bank statement

 

  1. Contact Community Support Services (CSS) to book an assessment meeting.
    Call 403-207-7079 or email cs*****@ch*********.ca.
  2. Residents will be contacted within 2 business days to go over program and
    eligibility.
  3. Request Process:
  • Eligible residents will be approved and provided a transit subsidy. Residents need to request a transit pass by the 15th of each month.  Transit passes are available to be picked up at Chestermere’s City Hall reception the last week of each month.

 

Please Note: Formal in-person intake will determine eligibility based on income levels. The assessment is completed on an annual basis.

 

Gifts of Kindness

NEED HELP?

If you are facing financial challenges and need support, connect with our Community Support Services Team by calling 403-207-7079. The team is made up of   staff who have extensive experience in supporting families in need. They will offer a confidential listening ear, suggestions for resources, and referrals to other supports.

ABOUT GIFTS OF KINDNESS

Gifts of Kindness provides financial support to residents facing financial challenges which could look like but is not limited to unexpected job loss, medical emergency, or eviction notice and utility disconnection.  This support also helps prevent long term social  challenges in our community such as homelessness and malnutrition.  Money raised for Gifts of Kindness is used to support residents that are unable to meet these needs through other government, community, or non-profit services.

HOW YOUR GIFT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Upon referral, the City’s Community Support Services Team can meet with an individual or family experiencing financial hardship to discuss their current situation and offer strategies and resources that may provide financial relief. This may include referrals to the Chestermere Food Bank, federal support programs (employment insurance), and provincial support programs.

Short Term Financial Support may include:

Basic Needs Support: Short term support in the form of a utility bill payment, grocery gift card or transportation assistance. Along with childcare assistance, youth activities, aid in education courses and  renovations that support mobility at home.

Personal Essentials: Upon request, staff distribute personal care & hygiene residents in need items to residents in need.

Annual Programs: Opportunity to connect with programs such as  Community Garden registration, Kids’ courses, subsidy transportation fees along with other additional supports.

Tax Preparation

FREE Tax Preparation Service 

Chestermere residents who qualify for this low-income service and who have a simple tax situation can receive help from community volunteers
to prepare an income tax and benefit return.

 

To book an appointment, contact the

Chestermere Community Support Service Team

at (403) 207-7079

or email cs*****@ch*********.ca

 

Please note:

Volunteers are not employees /volunteers of the

Canada Revenue Agency.

 Remember to bring all your tax slips with you.

 

Resident Led Programs

OUR PURPOSE

Community Social Development (CSD) provides support to the community development initiatives that encourage social connections and capacity building, grant information, Community Resident programs like Block Parties, Community Gardens & Winter Neighbour and Family fun time kits .

 WHAT WE OFFER TO THE COMMUNITY

 Block Parties:

BBQ’s held throughout the summer in various neighbourhoods in

Chestermere. They are afternoon or evening BBQ’s that bring neighbours

together for fun, games, and a chance to get to know each other.

Registrants receive a kit with disposable plates, utensils & napkins, and a Eric’s No Frills gift certificate to help with purchasing food. As well, children toy bags are available to use and the city helps with dropping off barricades and signs to assist you in having a safe party.

Winter Neighbour & Family Time Connections:

Gather with neighbours or your family to create a pot of soup or chili for you all to enjoy as a group and/or family, OR host a neighbor or family pizza party to make together. Each kit includes cookware, paper dishes, utensils and recipe books to use, along with a gift card to purchase ingredients.

Community Gardens:

Chestermere has two community gardens, one located in the city and

another located in a rural area outside of the city on a privately-owned acreage.

Participating in the garden program allows residents to feel a strong sense of community and allows for social and informal gatherings for gardeners and

families. Residents interested in renting a plot can contact the Community Social Development Specialist.

Community Social Development

OUR PURPOSE

Community Social Development (CSD) provides support to the community development initiatives that encourage social connections, capacity building and grant information. The CSD team strives to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all members of the community to thrive and feel a sense of

belonging, while also promoting a positive community culture. Their work is

essential to fostering a healthy and thriving community for all.

 WHAT WE OFFER TO THE COMMUNITY

Community Information and Assets:

CSD is dedicated to making a positive impact in Chestermere by fostering interagency collaboration to build connections and address social concerns within the community. We aim to create strategic plans tailored to our community’s needs. We invite individuals and organizations to reach out to us if they have a community project that could benefit Chestermere through collaboration.         Additionally, residents are encouraged to contact us if they observe any social issues or opportunities within the community that require our attention.

 Community Programs:

Community Resident programs are provided to promote connections throughout the year such as Block Parties, Community Gardens & Winter

Neighbour and Family fun time kits.

Diversity  and Inclusion:

Diversity and inclusion along with social wellbeing programming involves developing and implementing strategies that promote an inclusive, diverse, and socially supportive community. There is ongoing creation and leading programs that address the needs of community members from different backgrounds,

cultures, and abilities. This includes initiatives to increase awareness and

understanding of diversity and inclusion, as well as programs that promote social wellbeing.

Emergency Social Services

Emergency Social services (ESS) focuses on the needs of those directly impacted by incidents. ESS works closely with local, regional and provincial emergency management groups to ensure the city is prepared for any large scale emergency incidents, events or evacuations.

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