Community Social Development (CSD) provides programs to address community needs including; affordable housing, homelessness, home support, discrimination, disabilities and mental health. CSD's mission is to enhance individual and community quality of life by investing in community collaboration, social planning, and community development.

Social Planning- Involves community partners, government, and organizations working together in collaboration to address critical and systemic social issues facing a community. Social planning and community development services at CSD include:

• Affordable Housing and Homelessness Initiatives
• Community Opioid Response Task Force
• Youth Advisory Council
• GP Local Immigration Partnership
• Integrated Coordinated Access (ICA)

Social Investments- Includes the supports CSD provides many nonprofit agencies through municipal/ provincial/ federal grant funding to ensure that a spectrum of social supports, resources, and services enhance the social wellbeing for residents. Included in the portfolio is Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and Homeless Initiatives funding.

Contract Management of Social Programs and Initiatives- Working in partnership with community stakeholders to develop and implement social policy in Grande Prairie through the management of social program contracts. CSD administers and provides support for national, provincial and municipal funding agreements in partnership with community-based organizations.

Preventative Social Programs- Promoting and enhancing social well being of residents. Examples of this include Home Support Services for families and individuals experiencing disruptions to normal family routine making it difficult to maintain and manage a healthy home; and the Recreation and Transit Access programs that offer subsidized rates for recreation programming and public transportation to improve access for all residents.

Diversity and Inclusion- Working collaboratively with internal and external partners to ensure that the City of Grande Prairie is a welcoming and inclusive community.

Emergency Social Services- Response and assistance with planning for social needs of individuals and families affected by a disaster.

Program Highlights

CSD supported and monitored 31 programs across 23 agencies in 2019/2020. Examples include:

• Meals on Wheels in partnership with Seniors Outreach
• Youth Transitional Housing in partnership with Sunrise House
• LGBTQ Youth Mentorship Program in partnership with Northreach Society
• Sexual Violence Awareness in partnership with PACE
• The Community Kitchen in collaboration with the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre and The Salvation Army
• Kiwewin Program in partnership with Grande Prairie Friendship Centre