Building Community Capacity

In 2003, an important new initiative was started in the overall development of supports for persons with developmental disabilities in Alberta.

The Building Community Capacity initiative was established to encourage local communities to enhance their capacity to fully include individuals with developmental disabilities. Funding was set aside to enable each PDD Community Board to develop projects in support of this overall direction.

Since 2003, the PDD Central Region Community Board has provided funding to over 45 projects in Central Alberta aimed at:

• Enhancing community capacity to include and support adults with developmental disabilities
  
• Increasing community awareness and understanding of the partnerships and opportunities available to build inclusive communities

In September 2006 the PDD Central Region Community Board asked for an assessment of what had been achieved through the BCC initiative since its beginning. In November 2006 the following information was presented to the Board.

• A Report on the Building Community Capacity initiative in Central Alberta (Nov 2006)
  
• A Summary Power Point presentation on the Building Community Capacity Initiative in Central Alberta
  
• A compilation of Newsletters Articles about the Building Community Capacity Projects (2003-2006) in Central Alberta
  
• The 2005 Provincial report on Building Community Capacity

Information about some of the projects undertaken in Central Alberta is listed below.

• Building Community Capacity Projects (2005-2006)
  
• Building Community Capacity Projects (2004-2005)
  
• Building Community Capacity Projects (2003-2004)

In 2009, community capacity projects underway include:

• Plain Language Business Development
  
• Red Deer Public Library Artsparks
  
• Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery Artsparks
  
• Drumheller Public Library Artsparks
  
• Olds Municipal Library Artsparks
  
• Rocky Mountain House Public Library Artsparks
  
• Camrose Arts Society Beyond Images
  
• AACL Rotary Employment Partnership

In 2009, work began on Six Priorities for the PDD Program, a major initiative involving a number of elements of the PDD program. This work is expected to play a key role in setting out the future direction, nature, and scope of the PDD program.

• Six Priorities for the PDD Program

One of the areas of work involves reviewing and renewing the PDD Program Mission and Core Businesses.

Pending the outcomes of the work on the six priorities that is currently underway and pending finalization of the 2009-10 forecast of expenditures, the PDD Central Region is deferring acceptance of applications for funding under the Building Community Capacity initiative in the PDD Central Region.

Including adults with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life, including providing opportunities for individuals to make a contribution back to the community, can have significant benefits for communities and individuals. Work to encourage communities to include individuals, through renewal of the Building Community Capacity initiative, or through other means, will continue to be an important element of actions of the PDD Central Region Community Board.

If you would like more information about the Building Community Capacity initiative, or its current status in Central Alberta, please contact Stephen Golub, Manager, PDD Central Region Community Board at (403) 340-4877 or Stephen.Golub@gov.ab.ca