A Collaborative, Holistic Approach Focused on Family and Community
No two individuals or families are alike.
That’s why our children and family services at Taproot Community Support Services are adaptable, ensuring that each person receives the right support for their unique needs. We believe lasting, positive change happens when families are fully engaged and connected to their communities, and our programs are designed to strengthen relationships and build resilience.
Our services span three provinces and are shaped by the needs of each community. While most of our programs are accessed through government referrals, our Family Resource Networks are available directly to the public in the communities we serve.
We invite you to explore the programs below to learn more about our services.
Taproot Community Support Services works alongside families, offering flexible programs and personalized support to help them grow stronger together.
Our programs include:
Strong Families Home Visitation
The Strong Families program supports children, youth, families, kinship caregivers, and foster parents. All participants have an open file with Children’s Services and are referred directly by them.
In-Home Family Support
At Taproot Community Support Services, our In-Home Family Support program strengthens families by providing hands-on guidance and practical parenting strategies. Trained specialists work alongside caregivers, foster parents, and kinship families to build a deeper understanding of children’s emotional and behavioural needs while reinforcing positive parenting practices.
• Strengthening Parent-Child Bonds – Teaching the importance of healthy attachment through guided, real-life examples.
• Creating Stability – Helping families establish structure and routines for a safe, predictable environment.
• Parenting Education & Support – Covering topics like child development, safety, positive discipline, and emotional expression.
Therapeutic Youth Support
Taproot’s Therapeutic Youth Support program helps children and youth build confidence, develop life skills, and strengthen support networks. Whether they live with their natural or foster families, this program prevents placement breakdowns and keeps them connected to their homes and communities.
• Engaging Activities that promote social, emotional, and physical growth.
• Community Connections to build support networks and access local resources.
• Life Skills Coaching for employment readiness and independent living.
• Emotional Support & Mentorship to encourage personal development.
Supported Family Time
Our Supported Family Time program ensures meaningful, structured visits between children, youth, and their families. Taproot Family Support Workers guide parents through positive parenting strategies, helping to strengthen family bonds and improve interactions.
• Coaching & Role Modeling – Guiding parents through real-time interactions.
• Preparation & Debriefing – Helping children and parents prepare for visits and reflect afterward.
Transportation Services
Reliable transportation is critical for families. Taproot’s Driver/Escort Program ensures children, youth, and families can access essential services and maintain family connections without added stress.
• Safe, dependable transportation for families in Child & Family Services Authority Region 7.
• Regular reviews to ensure we continue meeting the needs of those we serve.
Family Resource Networks
The Family Resilience Program is a community-based initiative within Alberta’s Provincial Family Resource Networks (FRNs), providing support and services to help families build resilience, strength, and well-being. This program is open to the public.
Taproot Community Support Services offers the Family Resilience Program, providing personalized support for families with children ages 7 to 18. This program helps parents and caregivers strengthen parenting skills, reduce stress, and enhance family well-being. Support is available in-home, in the community, or over the phone to meet each family’s unique needs.
This free and voluntary program focuses on building strong family connections by offering guidance on:
- Parent-child communication
- Sibling relationships and conflict resolution
- Understanding different parenting styles
- Addressing child behavioural challenges
- Co-parenting strategies
- Mental health concerns and family well-being
- Positive strategies for managing challenging behaviours
- Domestic and family violence support
- Referrals to additional resources
- Collaborative transition planning to ensure continued success.
Families can access this program through self-referrals or referrals from partner organizations.
Service Areas & Partners
Taproot Community Support Services provides Family Resource Network programs in the following regions:
Vegreville and Area
FCSS Town of Vegreville, FCSS Lamont County, FCSS Mannville, FCSS Two Hills
Call Teri Campbell, Program Manager: 587.990.2457
Westlock and Area
Healthy Families Healthy Futures, FCSS Town of Smoky Lake, FCSS Thorhild County, FCSS Barrhead and District
Call Teri Campbell, Program Manager: 587.990.2457
Fort McMurray and Area
The HUB Family Resource Center, YMCA of Northern Alberta
Call Teri Campbell, Program Manager: 587.990.2457
Peace River and Area
Town of Peace River, Sagitawa Friendship Society
Call Teri Campbell, Program Manager: 587.990.2457
Wainwright and Area
FCSS Wainwright, Camrose Association for Community Living
Call Teri Campbell, Program Manager: 587.990.2457
High Prairie and Slave Lake Area
High Prairie and District Resource Council
Call Shay Engen, Program Manager: 780.260.0136.
Caring Families Program
In Vegreville, Taproot also offers the Caring Families Program, a community-based home visitation program part of Alberta’s Provincial Family Resource Networks (FRNs). This program provides in-home parenting education and family support for expectant parents and families with children from newborn to age six.
As an early intervention program, Caring Families promotes healthy child development by tailoring support to each family’s unique goals and needs within the home environment.
This free program is available through self-referrals and referrals from partner organizations.
Vegreville and Area – Partners
FCSS Town of Vegreville, FCSS Lamont County, FCSS Mannville, FCSS Two Hills
Call Teri Campbell, Program Manager: 587.990.2457
Youth Justice
In Ontario and British Columbia, our Youth Justice programs support youth in the justice system by offering opportunities for positive change. These programs help youth develop academic, social, and life skills, fostering growth and stability.
Services like the ACE Program keep youth engaged in education, while the Second Chance Youth Program in British Columbia helps youth remain in their communities and avoid custody.
In Ontario, we operate three Attendance Centers in Kenora, Dryden, and Sioux Lookout. These centers provide individual and group programming for youth ages 12 to 17 who are at risk of or involved in the justice system.
Programs are available in person or virtually and include:
- Anger management
- Substance abuse support
- Educational assistance
- Life skills development
- Employment and job skills training
- Healthy relationships.
The length of each program varies, as services are tailored to each youth’s specific needs.
Our Kenora location also houses Academic Connections through Empowerment (ACE), an education and community partnership with the Kenora Patricia District Services School Board. This classroom-based program provides educational support for youth struggling in mainstream school environments, helping them work toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma or Certificate.
Call Karry Benard, Program Manager: 807.699.9092
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Taproot Community Support Services provides dedicated support for individuals and families affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Through personalized case management, educational workshops, and community outreach, we help families navigate challenges and connect with essential resources. We work alongside those we serve, fostering understanding and empowering individuals to thrive.
Our Bridges and Connections programs offer long-term support, advocacy, and access to specialized services tailored to each person’s needs.
Bridges Program
The Bridges Program offers long-term support for women, providing mentorship and advocacy to help them navigate key areas of life. Mentors work alongside participants to:
• Identify personal goals and develop strategies for growth
• Address income, housing, and food security needs
• Access alcohol and drug treatment programs
• Manage finances and budgeting
• Connect with healthcare services.
Connections Program
The Connections Program helps individuals, caregivers, and support networks by:
• Linking them to appropriate community resources
• Coordinating essential services for daily life
• Developing intervention strategies for challenging behaviours
• Providing advocacy and direct support
• Building partnerships with stakeholders to enhance community support
• Offering education, skills training, and encouragement for those working with individuals affected by FASD.
Contact Mishka Facey, Team Leader: mfacey@wjscanada.com.
Foster Care
Taproot Community Support Services recruits and supports foster caregivers in Edmonton and Northern Alberta, providing safe and stable homes for children and youth in care.
About the Foster Care Program
This program is designed to recruit, train, and support qualified foster caregivers in Edmonton and the surrounding northern regions. Foster caregivers provide a nurturing and stable home for children and youth in Alberta Children and Family Services’ care.
Foster Care Support Workers guide caregivers through the approval process and offer ongoing training and support while a child or youth is placed in their home. We also welcome respite caregivers who can provide short-term relief care.
24/7 Support for Foster Caregivers
Our on-call services provide a dedicated support worker 24/7 to assist foster caregivers, children, or youth with any concerns.
Areas We Serve
We are proud to support foster caregivers in:
- Edmonton
- Slave Lake and surrounding areas
- High Prairie and surrounding areas
- Lac La Biche and surrounding areas
- Vegreville and surrounding areas.
Want to learn more?
Contact Shayleigh Mandrusiak, Program Manager: 780.201.3840 or smandrusiak@taproot.ca
A collaborative, holistic approach focused on family and community
