STONY PLAIN, AB: Stony Plain Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is officially transitioning to its new role as the Community and Social Development (C&SD) department within the Town structure. Stony Plain FCSS will begin the process of retiring its name and merging online accounts with the Town of Stony Plain. 

Over the last 33 years, Stony Plain FCSS has operated under a separate governance board receiving funding from the province and from the municipality. Concern regarding the sustainability of relying on provincial funding was voiced in 2019 and conversations began around shifting the structure of FCSS to align more closely within the Town as a fifth department. Following recommendations presented by the Stony Plain FCSS Board in September of 2020, the move was approved by Council in February of 2021. As a result of this transition, Stony Plain FCSS will now operate within the Town structure as the Community and Social Development department.

Lisa Gilchrist, General Manager of Community and Social Development says, “Although the name is changing the programs and services will stay the same. I’m confident there will be many benefits with the integration and all the change is happening internally. Our focus will continue to be Inclusion, Poverty Reduction, Mental Wellness, Healthy Relationships, Volunteer Centre, and the Youth Centre.”

The Stony Plain FCSS webpage will be dissolved and all program information will be disseminated throughout the general Town website where appropriate. The Stony Plain FCSS social media accounts will be gradually phased out. Community and Social Development messaging will transition to being published on the Town’s accounts. 

To stay up to date on Community and Social Development projects and events, follow the Town of Stony Plain accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.