A major initiative currently underway for Alberta Children#s Services is the creation of a province free from family violence and bullying.

The Alberta Roundtable on Family Violence and Bullying was held May 7, 2004 in Calgary after Premier Ralph Klein called for a roundtable to address the issue. Prior to the roundtable, Children#s Services heard from approximately 3,500 Albertans through workshops, focus groups, questionnaires, the My Alberta contest for youth and a pre-roundtable seminar.

At the conclusion of the roundtable, the Children#s Services Ministry announced the new position of executive director for the prevention of family violence and bullying. This role will be dedicated to co-ordinating efforts of all government ministries on family violence initiatives and to work closely with communities across Alberta.

Children#s Services worked with its ministry partners throughout the summer and fall to compile an action report based on what was heard at the roundtable. The Finding Solutions Together report highlights activities that are currently underway and also outlines government#s long term objectives that will be explored as part of the regular business planning process in upcoming months.

The report identifies five key areas for action: social change; provincial leadership; a collaborative, co-ordinated community response; services and supports; accountability. It confirms government#s commitment to work with individuals, families and communities to find solutions to end family violence and bullying together.

For more information on the report, please see http://www.familyviolenceroundtable.gov.ab.ca/finding_solutions.asp.

To help communities take action on family violence and bullying, the Children#s Services Ministry is investing $2 million from its current budget for community incentive grants. There are two types of grants: up to $10,000 and up to $75,000 depending on the number of community partners.

In keeping with the findings of the roundtable, the goal of the program is for communities to decide their own priorities to help individuals and families dealing with family violence and bullying.

For more information on family violence prevention, visit   http://www.child.gov.ab.ca/whatwedo/familyviolence/page.cfm?pg=index.