Child advocacy centres bring together law enforcement agencies and community partners in a kid-friendly environment to offer services such as mental health, medical and legal supports to children and youth who experience physical, emotional or sexual abuse and/or neglect. With eight provincially funded centres located in communities including Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Lloydminster, Red Deer, Calgary, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, this funding will help support more children and youth across the province on their healing journey.
To help address the rising caseloads, Alberta’s government is increasing funding for child and youth advocacy centres by 10 per cent.
Minister of Children and Family Services Searle Turton told media, supporting these centres province-wide is vital.
“Alberta has been a leader in creating safe places for children and youth who have experienced abuse. Centres like Zebra Centre and Luna Centre were among the first of their kind in Canada, and they continue to give hope and healing to thousands of children, youth and their families. This new funding will help them, and six other centres across Alberta, keep providing the critical support to protect children and youth.”
The eight Child Advocacy and Child and Youth Advocacy Centres receiving funding are:
- Waypoints Community Services Association (Fort McMurray)
- Little Bear Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (Lloydminster)
- Caribou Child and Youth Centre (Grande Prairie)
- Sanare Centre (Medicine Hat)
- Chinook Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (Lethbridge)
- Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (Red Deer)
- Zebra Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (Edmonton)
- Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (Calgary)
The new funding brings an increase to $3.7 million in support in 2025.
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