Celebrating 60 Years of FCSS

For six decades, Family and Community Support Services has helped strengthen the wellbeing of Albertans through community‑driven prevention. Today, we celebrate the people, partnerships and programs that have shaped FCSS into one of Alberta’s most enduring and impactful models of support. Here’s to 60 years of building strong, connected communities and to the work still ahead!

Download the 60th Anniversary marketing package and join in recognizing this amazing milestone.

FCSS History

2026

Celebrating 60 years of service to Albertans, FCSS has established itself as a significant support province wide. Alberta continues to be unique because of the structured, legislative FCSS program and process that keeps the focus on preventive activities.

2022

The Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Accountability Framework was introduced and provides a common definition of prevention, identifies key provincial prevention priorities and increases accountability through a better outcomes model that demonstrate the impact and value of FCSS. The Framework helps guide local programming to better address the pressing social challenges Albertans are facing today.

1995~

In the mid-1990s, the Alberta government folded Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) into an “Unconditional Municipal Grant Program,” allowing municipalities to use the funds as they saw fit, which led to a backlash. Municipalities organized against this proposal, successfully lobbying for the FCSS Act to be restored with strict preventive social service requirements.

1982~

In the first couple of years, the program grew quite quickly. The new legislation allowed municipalities to continue act together, or regionally; which is why in some locations, large and small municipalities work together even today.

1981

The Government of Alberta undertook a review of the Preventive Social Services Program and introduced a new approach to strengthening community wellbeing. The program was renamed Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), reflecting a clearer focus on improving quality of life through prevention.

The review recognized that preventive programs are most effective when they are designed and delivered locally. To support this, the Family and Community Support Services Act—a unique piece of Alberta legislation—was adopted. The Act maintained the 80/20 provincial–municipal funding partnership while transferring authority to municipalities and Métis Settlements to develop programs that best meet their community’s needs and priorities.

1977

The precursor to the Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta (FCSSAA), the Preventive Social Services Association of Alberta was formally incorporated offering a collective voice at the provincial level.

1966

The Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) program was first established in April 1966 as the Preventive Social Services program. It established a unique 80/20 cost-sharing partnership between the province and municipalities.