ST. PAUL - The County of St. Paul and Elk Point FCSS, along with the Town of St. Paul FCSS, are working to offer residents a variety of supports during the COVID-19 pandemic. While some programs deal with getting essential items to those in need, others are more lighthearted.
Groceries
The County of St. Paul and Elk Point FCSS department is offering the delivery of groceries and prescriptions to people in need who live in the county. People who are in isolation and don't have friends or family to help can benefit from the program. Single parents with children who can't leave the house may also benefit.
Seniors who can no longer drive due to unforseen circumstances, and people with pre-existing medical conditions may also use the service.
"The service is there," said County of St. Paul and Elk Point FCSS director Janice Fodchuk. For more information on the service, contact Chelsey at (780) 689-1992. Individuals must call to confirm they are eligible for the service.
Mental Wellness
The County of St. Paul and Elk Point FCSS has partnered with Krista Trimble to offer a program called Community Calm, which helps residents navigate the stress and anxiety associated with the COVID-19 crisis.
"As an educator and yoga studio owner during these extraordinary times, providing access to methods for stress relief, resilience, and regulation is more important to me than ever," said Trimble. Trimble closed her St. Paul yoga studio in mid-March, and is offering her classes online for the time being.
"While many of us are feeling isolated in our homes right now, I find it comforting to know that we are in this together," said Trimble. "Being grateful to connect with the community online has kept my spirits high. It has been awe-inspiring to witness how people are changing the ways that they use technology."
Mental Health resources are also available through Alberta Health Services.
Busy Kids Kits
The FCSS departments have also put together Busy Kids Kits, geared toward children between the ages of six and 12 years old. The kits can be delivered right to a family's doorstep. To get a kit in Elk Point, call (780) 724-3800, and for county delivery, contact 780-645-1950. The Town of St. Paul FCSS is also involved in the initiative and can be contacted at 780-645-5311.
Lynn Smid, director with the Town of St. Paul FCSS explaines that many of the program being offered are meant to help connect vulnerable families with needed resoures.
Smiley Faces
The Town of St. Paul and County of St. Paul and Elk Point FCSS departments are also both promoting the use of happy faces. Community members who require extra support are asked to place a smiley face in their window at specific times of the day so FCSS staff members can check on them from a distance.
Smid confirmed the smiley faces can be accessed at the Town of St. Paul office also. Residents who know of individuals who may benefit from the program can call the office to get more information.
Comnunity-wide initiatives
A couple of community-wide initiatves are also being organized by the Town of St. Paul FCSS.
The Denim on Denim initiative encourages residents to wear denim on April 29 as a way to create awareness around sexual violence. The campaign is being organized in partnership with Dragonfly Counselling and Support Centre in Bonnyville.
Participants are being asked to snap photos of themselves wearing denim on April 29, and post to the FCSS department's social media, or email the photos in. Prizes are available to be won, said Smid.
Also, as the snow starts to melt, the Town of St. Paul FCSS department is looking forward to offering the Sidewalk Connections program. Keeping social distancing in mind, the program will encourage residents to use sidewalk chalk to "bring some cheer" to the community, said Smid.
While the FCSS department will have some chalk available for residents, Smid encourages people to use their own sidewalk chalk to draw on sidewalks outside their homes.
Support
Overall, if people are having any issues, such as accessing financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic, Smid encourages them to reach out to their local FCSS departments.
"Give us a call."
She notes that while there is a lot of information available, sometimes people simply need help sifting through the information.
