The Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy at the 免费福利资源在线看片 of Lethbridge has completed a community needs assessment for Barons-Eureka-Warner Family and Community Support Services (BEW FCSS). As a part of the new FCSS accountability framework requirements, FCSS organizations across the province have been conducting local needs assessments since 2022.
From 2024 to 2026, the institute was contracted by BEW FCSS and the Village of Stirling to conduct a needs assessment for the BEW region. The project included: A needs-based assessment of the social policy landscape within the region; an asset-based assessment of the resources and capacity available within the region; scoping reviews and environmental scans focused on strategies to address each of the FCSS provincial prevention priorities in rural areas. These priorities included: homelessness and housing insecurity; mental health and addictions; employment; family and sexual violence across the lifespan; and aging well in community.
The project produced an evidence base that can inform budgeting, program design, implementation and evaluation, as well as long-term planning decisions across multiple sectors in the BEW region. Dr. Lars Hallstrom presented key messages from the project to the BEW FCSS Board of Directors on June 3, 2026.
The needs assessment combined multiple methods and data sources, including existing research literature, government policies, census data, as well as interviews, focus groups and surveys of the region’s public, service providers, municipal employees and elected officials. The research team heard a diversity of perspectives from residents about local assets, emerging wellbeing needs and persistent challenges in social service delivery and access.
The Prentice Institute research team involved with the project included academic staff, research associates, research analysts, research assistants, post-doctoral fellows, summer interns and administrative support staff. This project employed a total of 11 undergraduate students in internships and part-time employment, advancing the Prentice Institute’s Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) programming. Students gained valuable skills in project activity coordination, public engagement, data analysis and synthesis, and technical report writing.
The Prentice Institute is grateful to all who participated in and contributed to the BEW FCSS community needs assessment, with special thanks to Zakk Morrison, BEW FCSS Executive Director, and Scott Donselaar, Chief Administrative Officer of the Village of Stirling, for their guidance and support of the project.