Family Wellness (Diversion) Program

The Family Wellness Program is a voluntary, community-based family support service designed to assist families with children to address challenges they may be experiencing.  Workers provide flexible services to assist caregivers in identifying their strengths and setting goals in regards to improving knowledge and skills to provide a safe and healthy home environment for their children.

Services May Include:

  • Parenting support and education
  • Co-operative parenting skill development
  • Support for conflict resolution
  • Advocacy

The Family Wellness Program services are provided in the home, office or an alternate community location depending on the choice of the clients.  Workers use a variety of approaches, activities and programs to assist clients in meeting their goals.

The Family Wellness Workers support clients in navigating the appropriate community services needed to meet their identified needs.  Workers make both unsupported and supported referrals to other services as needed.

Workers assist families in identifying their natural supports, teach the skills required to maintain strong social networks and assist them in connecting to community groups and organizations that expand social resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost?

There is no cost to access services through the Family Wellness Program.

Where is the program offered?

Family Wellness Workers serve all of the communities listed under the Northern Lakes Family Resource Network.  There are three Family Wellness Workers providing services out of two offices, one located in the Athabasca County FCSS Building and the other in the Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Centre.

Who can access services?

The Family Wellness Program focuses on families with children 7 to 17 years of age.  Families with children 0 to 6 years of age are served by the Home Visitation Program (Healthy Families Healthy Futures) which also can be accessed through the NLFRN Hub.

What types of parenting programs does the Family Wellness Program offer?

The Family Wellness Workers obtain many of their programs through Active Parenting Canada.  Active Parenting Canada programs empower families by providing parents with the skills to help their children to survive and thrive in our changing world.  Active Parenting programs emphasize non-violent discipline, mutual respect, and open communication.  It has benefited millions of families in the past 30 years.  Some of the Active Parenting programs utilized by the Family Wellness Workers include:

  • Active Parenting of Teens: Families in Action
  • Active Parenting for Stepfamilies
  • Cooperative Parenting and Divorce
  • Parents on Board: Building Academic Success through Parenting Involvement

What services are NOT provided through the Family Wellness Program?

The Family Wellness Workers do not provide formal mediation, therapeutic or couples counselling or court support.  However, if you are in need of these services, the Workers can provide you with a supported referral to the appropriate service.