Community Outreach Services (COS) is feeling the pressure as external funding is expected to be reduced by $409,000 total over the next three years.
Beth LeBlanc, manager of Community Outreach Services, told council on Tuesday, June 9 that 87 per cent of the department’s services are funded through external funding agreements and grants.
“Over the past several months, we have been advised by multiple funders of funding reductions,” LeBlanc said. “While funding opportunities continue to exist, the overall level of support available is declining.”
Through Community Outreach Services, outreach workers support those in need with resources and referrals. They also offer temporary supports related to wildfire recovery. COS has an annual budget of roughly $1.5 million.
The funding shortfall would be more than $120,000 annually for the next two years and then rise to $164,000 — a total of $409,000.
The Municipality contributes $150,000 each year, meaning it would have to nearly double its contribution to make up for the shortfall, not accounting for increases to expenses.
Funding reductions are collectively coming from the Alberta government through the local Family Resource Network; from the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Settlement Program;as well as Healthy Aging Alberta.
“This is a trend that all municipalities are facing,” said CAO Bill Given.
The Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta has also identified that flat funding represents a growing challenge, according to administration.
LeBlanc said their team is under increased pressure to identify alternative revenue sources, and maintaining external funding agreements requires “significant ongoing efforts,” such as researching opportunities, preparing applications, measuring outcomes, meeting reporting requirements and maintaining relationships with funders.
Not only has this become more difficult with the combining of the Community and Family Services and Culture and Recreation departments, getting rid of one director position, but reporting and compliance requirements have also increased for external funding.
“Together, these changes have limited the ability to consistently pursue funding opportunities,” LeBlanc said.
She warned if alternative funding sources were not secured, impacts could include reduced service levels, staff reductions or fewer programs and supports.
Coun. Kathleen Waxer said Community Outreach Services serves an important role in keeping homelessness and food insecurity at bay in Jasper. She added how the Canadian Red Cross had admired “the cohesive, one-stop shop” approach for local services.
“This is a very worrying situation,” Waxer said. “It is also evidence of ongoing downloading from other levels of government to the municipal level.”
Mayor Richard Ireland wondered if Jasper was delivering any services that should be provided by other levels of government.
Given replied that would require more analysis from administration, but council may decide it was worthwhile to compare its “suite of social services” to those of other municipalities.
Committee of the whole directed administration to report on options to maintain community social service levels as part of 2027 budget deliberations.
Peter Shokeir, Local Journalism Initiative // info@thejasperlocal.com
