Family Enhancement Provides Preventative Care and Support
Lori Stevens has a unique role within the ATC Child and Family Services department. Her position in Family Enhancement focuses on those clients who are not in need of intervention, but are facing challenges with family care.
Often clients experience gaps and barriers, for example transportation to an addictions meeting or medical appointment, or providing food to their family when they are facing financial challenges. In her role, Lori works as a resource to support these families. She connects parents and youth living on their own with the services and support they need to build the skills they need for a health life. In Lori’s words, the work she does “keeps the families together before issues turn into big issues. We want to prevent everything from compounding to the point where intervention is required. Parents are the best ones to take care of their kids and we want to encourage and support that.”
She also works closely with the First Nations, supporting the work they do for the families in their communities. For example, she has worked with Candace Black, NNADAP Wellness Coordinator at Chipewyan Prairie First Nation Health Center, by putting together donation baskets with essential items like laundry and cleaning supplies, and fun kits for movie nights and bannock making.
“Collaborating with Lori and her role in Family Enhancement has been a great partnership. Many events I host are about healthier options; they’re family-oriented and group events. Every event I’ve held has included Lori. Her work has helped so many people in the community, from the smudge prayer kits she donated to my program, to the family door prizes she made, to collaborating with me on assisting clients to receive support for their residential school experiences. All of this would not be possible without the great support Lori has to offer.”
- Candace Black, NNADAP Wellness Coordinator Chipewyan Prairie First Nation Health Center