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SPEC is Celebrating 42 years in Brooks and the area!

1978 – 2020

SPEC Association  ~ Like and follow our SPEC Association Facebook for the latest program updates. 

@SPECAssociation1978

 Local Children’s Charity

 

SPEC Celebrates the LINKS Community Services Hub

SPEC is very excited to announce that our LINKS Community Services program is now officially the “Hub” and point of entry for early intervention and prevention services for families with children 0-18 years old in the City of Brooks and the County of Newell.   The Hub provides intake and coordination services and arranges the delivery of a full array of services, supports, and programming.

The Hub is part of the new Family Resource Network (FRN) funded through Children’s Services.  The FRN follows a “Hub and Spoke” model throughout the province in which the “Spokes” are the formal service partnerships created to meet the needs of all age cohorts of children, intensity levels of services and home visitation services.

Family Resource Network supports expecting parents, families, caregivers/parents and communities to support the safety and resiliency of infants, children and youth.  FRN programs and services will support child safety, well-being, child/youth development, and strengthen parenting and caregiver knowledge and capacity.

The LINKS Community Services Hub will provide families with information, referrals and service coordination to meet their respective needs.  Anyone can access services at the LINKS Community Services Hub by referral of other agencies or families can connect themselves by calling, emailing or visiting our office (by appointment only now due to COVID-19).

LINKS Community Services will continue to offer the following services:

  • Caregiver/Parenting Education – parenting support through individual or group Triple P parenting sessions in person (at SPEC or in-home) or online
  • Community Services – advocacy and support for families needing help to navigate and access community and government resources
  • Community Support Worker – information, referral, advocacy and support for adults without children
  • COVID Helpline Support – Every day is a challenge in this new (COVID-19) normal! If you need help to navigate community and government resources or are struggling with the extra stresses that COVID creates … please talk to us. We are here to listen.  Phone 403.376-1926 or email helpline@spec.ab.ca

LINKS Community Services Hub     Phone 403.362.5056

Hub Intake, Family Resource Coordinator     Wanda MacDonald     Email wanda.macdonald@spec.ab.ca

Program Manager     Tracey Harahus     Email tracey.harahus@spec.ab.ca

LCS Hub Announcement on website 1 revised

SPEC HISTORY

Established in 1978, the SPEC Association for Children & Families, began as a fee-for-service program with Alberta Social Services and Community Health. Since SPEC’s incorporation in 1979, the programs have continued to grow and offer services for children and families under the guidance and leadership of dedicated board members, staff, and volunteers.

SPEC is focused on the positive development of kids by providing a continuum of services from early intervention (prevention) to high intervention during crisis. By providing family support services, SPEC continues to focus on a variety of preventive and educational programs that promotes a caring and committed community where kids are resilient and valued.

READ MORE ABOUT US
VISION

A strong and resilient community

 

MISSION

Engaging families and community in the well being of children and youth

25
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
1562
VOLUNTEER HOURS
5335
CHILDREN & FAMILIES SERVED
2851
NEWCOMER SERVICES PROVIDED

What's Coming Up

Check out our calendar to see what’s happening this month!

View Our Calendar
LINKS NEWSLETTER

LINKS ACTIVITY CALENDAR

Brooks & Region MAKERSPACE

MAKERSPACE Activity Calendar

For youth 10 years of age to Adult!

LATEST NEWS

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

TESTIMONIALS

  • The Parent Link Centre has changed my life! Before I started coming to the programs, I was so isolated and my daughter was very shy. Especially as an immigrant and learning a new language, it’s hard to make friends. Now my daughter has good social skills and lots of friends. I get to connect with other moms. We’re much happier now.

    A Happy Mother
    parentLINKcentre

  • If it wasn’t for my family support worker and all the help they have given me I don’t know where my family and I would be

    First Steps Mother
    Family Support

  • My First Step Advocate keeps me in line, I am so grateful to have her

    First Steps Mother
    Family Support