Resources for Parents and Caregivers
General Resources
KARA Family Resource Centre - KARA provides educational programming, groups, and events designed to create positive outcomes for children and their families throughout the Edmonton area.
The Norwood Centre - The Norwood Centre offers a number of free parent groups that focus on family education to promote healthy child development, positive parenting strategies and healthy attachment.
Family Futures Resource Network - Family Futures Resource Network is a community-based non-profit organization whose mission is to educate, support, and build on the strengths of families. The agency is a network of sites embedded within the Edmonton community.
Parenting Classes and Supports
Edmonton Public Library Classes and Events - EPL frequently hosts several different events and classes ranging across many age groups, addressing various topics. Many of these events are now online due to the pandemic.
The Family Centre - The Family Centre offers classes both in-person and online that focus on positive and healthy ways to deal with the hardships of being a parent.
LD Edmonton: Social Skill Building Programs - LD Edmonton run various programs and camps throughout the year for children and teens who struggle with learning, organization, attention, and focus, as well as individuals who may struggle to managing their emotions or maintain social relationships.
Catholic Social Services - CSS offers a number of family supports for children and adults with disabilities.
Alberta Foster & Kinship Association - AFKA offers a variety of resources pertaining to a vast array of issues, from adoption to specific mental health disorders.
Educational Resources
Am I Enough? CASA Family Advisory Council Photovoice Research Project 2020 - A collaborative research project between CASA and the University of Calgary has produced this informative video that touches on the current mental health pandemic we are facing.
Child Mind Institute - When a child is struggling, the whole family is affected. Explore the concerns and challenges heard about most from parents and receive expert guidance on how to respond in the most effective way.
Education at Home Resources: Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortia (ARPDC): Supporting Learning at Home - Resources for teachers, education administration, parents, caregivers, and everyone else to support mental health in the time of at-home learning and virtual education.
Understood.org Take N.O.T.E Series - Notice, Observe, Talk and Engage; a helpful place for parents and caregivers to start when trying to understand what you are seeing when your child is struggling.
When Someone Your Child Loves Dies - Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media - This is a 2-page pamphlet that offers information and tips on the process a child might go through when someone close to them dies.
CASA Family Therapy Program - This program helps family members to understand each others’ needs and find better ways to work together. The program focuses on strengthening the ability of parents to support children with a mental health disorder, improving family relationships, and helping other professionals to support families with complex dynamics.
Crisis Services for Parents and Families
Canadian Mental Health Association - CMHA facilitates a number of suicide grief support services offered over the phone and online.
AHS Addiction and Mental Health Children’s Crisis Line - 780-407-1000
The Crisis Team offers immediate crisis support through a crisis line for children and youth aged 5-17, and their care providers. The crisis team also provides support to professionals in the community. Therapists will determine, together with caregivers, if additional services (e.g., a crisis risk assessment) are required at the time of the crisis call.
CASA Referral Pathway - Visit this page for crisis numbers as well as regional intake for children's mental health services information.
COVID-19 Resources
From Alberta Health Services (AHS): VIRTUAL Mental Health Education Sessions and Back to School During COVID-19
COVID-19 Information for Kids - Alberta Health Services has created a brochure to address frequently asked questions surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19) for young children and students.
CASA Presents: "Your Mental Health" Webinars - A series of webinars created to assist families and community members in dealing with the many mental health concerns coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Psychology of Pandemics Network - Several Universities around Canada and the United States have collaborated to bring together up-to-date information, publications, and resources surrounding COVID-19.
How to Find a Family Doctor
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta - You can use the search tool at this link to help you find a family doctor who is accepting new patients.