Town of Banff

Family School Liaison

Town of Banff Family Community Support Services (FCSS) offers a number of programs aimed at children, youth and parents.  For information on any of these services, call the Family-School Liaison Worker at 403.762.1255.

Counselling Services – We offer free, confidential child, youth and parent counseling support dealing with issues like peer pressure, anger management, social skills, parenting, separation and divorce.

• FCSS Counselling Referral Form ( PDF - 18 kb)

Boy's Council – This is a bullying prevention and character development program delivered in the classroom designed specifically for school aged boys in grades 4 - 9.

Bow Valley Mentoring Program – This is an in-school mentoring program for youth in grades 2 - 11.  Caring adult volunteers spend one hour a week with a student during school hours. See Bow Valley Mentoring Program if you are interested in becoming a mentor.

Elementary and High School Classroom Presentations – Programs are offered in Banff's public schools throughout the school year. Topics include friendship, cliques, cooperation, teamwork,  positive self-talk strategies, and setting and reaching goals.

Roots of Empathy –  Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based classroom program that has shown dramatic effect in reducing levels of aggression and violence among schoolchildren while raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy.  The heart of the program is a local infant and parent who visit the classroom every 3 weeks over the school year. With our certified Roots of Empathy Instructor, students are coached to observe the baby's development, celebrate milestones, interact with the baby and learn about an infant's needs and unique temperament. Our instructor also works with the class the week before and the week after each family visit to prepare and reinforce teachings using a specialized curriculum that is developmentally appropriate.

Right From the Start (RFTS) – This is a school based mental health capacity building program for children and families.  RFTS programming includes: school wide wellness initiatives, character development, positive behaviour management and many other programs.  For more information and resources available for downloading please click on the link below:

• (RFTS) Resource Material