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Northern Alberta community creating HUB Program based on Maskwacis's success

Support services in Wabasca joining forces, create a HUB
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Support services in Wabasca are meeting often to come up with collaborative responses to community issues.

The initiative is called a HUB Program.

Wabasca RCMP Constable Billy Hannah suggested it, says Auger. Back in March 2024, an Indigenous police officer trained the various support agencies on the program. It took a while for regular meetings to start, but they are underway.

“The HUB program represents a proactive, collaborative approach to addressing complex community challenges, ensuring individuals and families receive the support they need to thrive,” said Janice Auger, M.D. of Opportunity Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) coordinator.

“Each agency has unique help that can be provided to individuals,” she adds. “Although it is the early stages of establishing this important model that is already working in Maskwacis, there are indications that it will work in our communities as well if participating agencies attend the meetings to lend a helping hand of the needs.”

A community engagement session is being held on Feb. 12, and is to include local agencies such as The Today Centre, John Howard Society, Bissell Centre, FASD Network, Family Resource Networks (FRN), Children’s Resource Centre, The Dragonfly Centre, 211 Alberta, and Service Canada.

Auger also sent along some information from a PowerPoint from the training.

This says the HUB Program has four purposes.

“1. Alleviating Elevated Risk: The primary goal is to reduce elevated risks faced by individuals and families by providing timely and coordinated support.

“2. Improving Communication: The program addresses gaps in information sharing and communication among agencies, which previously hindered the identification of individuals at risk.

“3. Coordinated Interventions: The program facilitates a rapid deployment of collaborative interventions to connect those at risk to the services they need most and need immediately.

“4. Focus on Risk Reduction: Once risk factors are mitigated and individuals are connected to services, discussions are transitioned to case management by the relevant agencies. While not all challenges may be resolved, the immediate risk situation is reduced, and individuals are informed of available services, even if they choose to decline assistance.”