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Photo Courtesy Alberta Government YouTube Page
Alberta

Provincial funding to increase wages of FASD support workers

Sep 7, 2023 | 5:16 PM

The Government of Alberta has announced funding to support front-line workers.

Almost $3 million is being provided to increase the wages of front-line workers who are supporting individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

Officials noted on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 that the commitment is on top of $25 million in operating funding already provided to Alberta’s FASD networks.

Jason Nixon, Minister of Community and Social Services said, “Front-line workers supporting Albertans with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder show great dedication in caring for some of our province’s most vulnerable people, and we depend on their hard work to make sure people get the help they need.”

Nixon continued, “Alberta’s government is committed to supporting these workers by increasing wages to better attract and retain staff to care for vulnerable Albertans.”

The funding boost raises average wages by about 10 per cent.

Officials said it comes in addition to $330 million announced by the province as part of Budget 2023 to help front-line workers across Alberta’s social services sector.

Seniors, Community and Social Services funds 12 fetal alcohol spectrum disorder service networks across the province made up of community agencies delivering supports related to FASD. The province noted that in 2022-23, the networks helped 5,426 Albertans and their caregivers.