Below is a list of resources that parents and guardians may find helpful:
Family Supports
Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS) phone | 403-221-8780
email | info@cupscalgary.com
website | https://www.cupscalgary.com/programs-services/social- support/family-development-centre
Free Parenting Programs/Education for families (mainly with children 0-5 years). Family Resource Centre on premises that can provide resources and referrals.
Children’s Link Society
phone | 403-230-9158
email | info@childrenslink.ca
Provides resources, childcare information, parent-to-parent connections and hope to families and professionals who care for and work with children and youth with special needs from birth to age 21.
Closer to Home
phone | 403-543-0550
email | reception@closertohome.com
Programs available: Early Intervention and Prevention, In-Home Family Support, Indigenous Services, Foster Care, Group Care
Families Matter
phone | 403-205-5178
email | info@familiesmatter.ca
Provides parenting education resulting in healthy child development and confident and competent parents who are connected within their communities. Programs available: Family Mental Health, Parenting Programs, Professional Development and other services.
Family Resource Networks (FRN)
website | https://www.alberta.ca/family-resource-networks
Website will assist locating the community location. FRN offers various types of parenting support, free of charge, can make referrals for Hull Services and Trellis parenting and family support programs.
Hull Services
website | https://hullservices.ca/services/community-parenting-education- program/
Community Parent Education program for parents of children ages 5 to 12 to learn new parenting skills and strategies. Typical program runs for 8 to 10 weeks.
McMann Calgary
website | https://mcmancalgary.ca/fdp/
Family Development Program individualizing in home support to families with up to the age of 18 to enhance parenting skills and improve family relationships.
Resources for Newcomers
Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth (CBFY)
website | https://cbfy.ca/
Offers supports and programming for immigrant and refugee youth, settlement support and knowledge of cultural norms.
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) phone | 403-262-2006
email | contact@ccisab.ca
Programs available to immigrants and refugees: Business Employment & Training, Community Development and Integration Services, Family and Children Services, and Resettlement and Integration Services.
Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA)
phone | 403-263-4414 reception@ciwa-online.com
CIWA offers services for immigrant and refugee women, youth, children and families. Programs available: Career Services, Family Services, Language Training and Childcare, Settlement and Integration, Workplace Services
Centre for Newcomers (CFN)
phone | 403-569-3325
email | info@centrefornewcomers.ca
Programs Available: Settlement Services, Youth Programs, English Language Program, Jobs and Career Planning and Assistance, Multicultural Peer Mentorship for Professionals, Canadian Business Essentials for Accounts, Ethnicity Catering Training Program, Childcare, Volunteering Experiences and Opportunities.
Immigrant Services Calgary
phone | 403-265-1120
email | info@immigrantservicescalgary.ca
Programs Available: Settlement and Integration, English Testing/Education, Translation and Interpretation Services, Employment Support, Children/Adult and Senior Programs, Family Support and Counselling
Mental Health Literacy
Families, loved ones, friends and the patient themselves are all impacted by mental illness, whether it is through waiting for a diagnosis, operating day- to-day, or receiving treatment. A strong support network is important for all individuals involved. The stresses and strains will impact your family similar to any other disease or illness and should be treated the same, with love and unconditional support.
The resources and the information provided on our website are designed to help you support the ones you love, while ensuring you take care of yourself while doing so. Education on mental health can help change the conversation and the more we do so, the better we can support those we care for.
https://mentalhealthliteracy.org/parents/
Parent Information Series
Parents & Guardians, Addiction & Mental Health
It is not easy being a parent these days—especially if your kids are at the age when they may start to experiment with tobacco, alcohol, other drugs or gambling. The Parent Information Series is designed to answer frequently asked questions and give parents like you factual information that may help you prevent your children from using drugs, help them make healthy lifestyle choices and support them in making changes in their lives.
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/page2434.aspx
Parental Requests for Medical or Psychological Assessment Forms
Parents’ requests for completion of rating scales, assessment forms or other health, learning or psychology related forms must be accompanied by an Obtaining of Dependent Student Information and Releasing of Dependent Student Information forms as well as a Consent to Email form. Please send all requests to Student Services ( talmiller@cbe.ab.ca ) and once the appropriate forms are received, the documents will be completed by teachers and returned to the appropriate people. If you completed these forms last year you will still need to complete them again this year, as a new form must be signed each year.
Forms can be picked up in the main office or email Tanya Miller (talmiller@cbe.ab.ca) to request them to be sent via email.
Student Mental Health Resource
Provincial Achievement Tests
Supporting Your Child (What can parents do?)
- Talk to your child about the differences they may experience as they transition to their new school.
- Attend the school orientation sessions for incoming students and their families.
- Volunteer at your child’s school, meet teachers, attend school meetings or events and read school newsletters.
- Encourage the use of traditional or electronic agendas for homework and check them for assignments. Successful students have a good foundation at home.
- Set a regular time and place for homework to be done. Give and reinforce clear expectations.
- Visit the school’s website to learn more. Write down any questions you have.
- Make an appointment to visit the school and meet the principal to get a sense of how the school is prepared to support student success. Ask questions.
Distress Centre Calgary (DCC)
Distress Centre Calgary (DCC) provides 24 hour crisis support, professional counselling, youth peer support and navigation and referrals through 211 and our programs at SORCe – all at no cost. For over 50 years, Distress Centre has served Calgary and Southern Alberta, ensuring everyone has a place to turn in times of crisis.
Support through phone/text: 403 266 HELP (4357) Live chat: https://www.distresscentre.com/
Eastside Community Mental Health Services (part of Woods Homes)
https://www.woodshomes.ca/programs/eastside-community-mental-health- services/
Eastside Community Mental Health Services (ECMHS) offers immediate, no-cost, mental health support from an integrated, ethnocultural team.
Call: 403 299 9699 (8am-11pm)
Text: 587 315 5000 (9am-10pm)
Main Location: #255 495 36 Street NE (Northgate Mall)
Walk-in mental health support is available on Tuesdays and Saturdays 11 am to 6 pm.
Mental Health System Navigation
Staff walk with clients as they navigate the sometimes-complex mental health system. All clients experience immediate support and connections to social and health systems that best fit their needs.
We can help you navigate the mental health system in Alberta.
Finding the help you need can be trying in a complicated mental health system. Especially when you are struggling. We’re here to make it easier. Our professional counsellors are ready to connect you and your family to the best service that fits your needs.
https://www.woodshomes.ca/programs/eastside-community-mental-health- services/mental-health-system-navigation/
Mobile Family Crisis Support
Family crisis support is available both immediately over the phone and in- person at home. Mediated crisis family visits can be extended with repeat visits with the same counsellor. Support via text or chat is also available.
Extended Services: Our Mobile Family Crisis Support includes repeat visits with the same counsellor.
To access Mobile Family Crisis Support and/or Extended Services, please call 403-299-9699.
Cannabis Use and the Adolescent Brain
The Canadian Psychological Association has a clear position regarding the use of cannabis during adolescence, namely cannabis use can disrupt normal adolescent brain development.
The cannabis usage rate amongst youth ages 15 – 24 is two times higher than it is among adults, with 1 in 5 teens between ages 15 to 19 having used cannabis in the past year (Statistics Canada, 2016).
Cannabis is a psychoactive drug that is used for recreational and medical purposes.
Resources
Why Is a School Routine Important for Teens?
Creating a predictable schedule gives teens and parents a sense of control. It also provides teens with a feeling of safety. Having an established structure to rely on helps the whole family transition into the school year more easily.
Furthermore, the skills that teenagers develop by adhering to a routine will serve them well when they enter college or the workplace.
Knowing what to expect and when helps teens with mental health conditions feel calmer and less anxious. With clear guidelines, teens can more easily relax and focus on their daily tasks.