FCSS uses a “people helping people to help themselves” approach and offers a wide range of programs and services at the community level. Following are some examples of programs or services offered through FCSS:
- Services to assist communities to identify their social needs and develop responses to meet those needs, including:
- raising public awareness around community issues,
- developing strategies for community advocacy,
- developing comprehensive social community plans and initiatives,
- environmental scans, service reviews, strategic planning, program planning, or
- in-kind support to community-based groups (until they are able to sustain themselves) such as provision of office space, printing, photocopying, help with preparing proposals, ect.;
- Services to promote, encourage and support volunteer work in the community, including:
- recruitment, training and placement services,
- resources to support volunteers, or
- coordination of volunteer services;
- Services to inform the public of available services, including:
- information and referral services,
- community information directories,
- newcomer services, or
- interagency coordination;
- Services that promote the social development of children and their families, including:
- parent-child development activities,
- temporary or occasional parent relief services, or
- support services for young school age children;
- Services that enrich and strengthen family life by developing skills so people can function more effectively within their own environment, including:
- parenting and family life education and development programs,
- marriage enrichment,
- retirement planning,
- programs for single adults and single parents,
- courses designed to enhance self-awareness and personal growth,
- individual, family and group counseling services that are educational and not treatment oriented, or
- youth development services
- Services that enhance the quality of life of the retired and semi-retired, including:
- home support services,
- education and information services,
- outreach and coordination services, or
- self-help socialization activities.
- Ineligible Services:
- Services provided under an FCSS Program must not provide primarily for the recreational needs or leisure time pursuits of individuals; offer direct assistance, including money, food, clothing or shelter, to sustain an individual or family; be primarily rehabilitative in nature; nor duplicate services that are ordinarily provided by a government or government agency.
