BARRHEAD - The Barrhead Ripple Connection Support Centre (RCSC) received a huge financial blow, putting its viability at risk.
The RCSC is a not-for-profit organization which opened in 2010; it provides services for people who directly have mental illness and brain injuries, as well as their families and caregivers.
At the end of February, Alberta Health Services (AHS) notified the RCSC that on May 30, the province would end its contract.
Executive director Vernice Aitken said the centre receives $79,000 annually as part of a three-year contract with AHS in the form of a Recovery Alberta grant to deliver mental health-focused programming.
"[The funding] pays for our operations, wages, rent, keeping the lights on," she said.
Recovery Alberta, created in September, works in partnership with AHS to deliver mental health care, addiction care, and correctional healthcare in collaboration with the Government of Alberta (GOA), other public health agencies, contracted service providers, and community groups.
According to the website, in 2024, the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction provided $1.13 billion in funding for Recovery Alberta.
"[AHS] met with our financial controller, Peggy Kunstleben. She thought it would be the typical year-end meeting, but instead, they were cutting our funding at the end of May," Aitken said.
She added that the representative did not explain why they were cancelling the contract, but they did say that the centre wasn't the only organization that had their funding suspended, noting AHS were cutting three-quarters of Recovery Alberta's contracts.
"Nor did they give us another funding avenue, appeal route, or explanation. No information, just 'you're done,'" Aitken said.
Last spring, the government introduced Bill 22, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, with AHS transitioning into a new acute-care sector authority, Alberta Hospital Services, which will work alongside primary care and continuing care. The legislation also transferred the responsibilities of Alberta Addiction and Mental Services to the previously mentioned Recovery Alberta.
The Barrhead Leader contacted AHS to request an interview or to comment on the decision.
Recovery Alberta communications lead Jessica Conlin responded via e-mail: "Recovery Alberta was established as a healthcare agency focusing on frontline mental health and addiction care services. As we deliver on that mandate for Albertans, Recovery Alberta is reviewing programs, services, and contracts on an ongoing basis to ensure that they are delivered efficiently and effectively. These reviews ensure that public funding is maximized and not used for under-utilized or duplicated services or services not aligned with Recovery Alberta's mandate."
Aitken said while the Ripple has other revenue sources, such as the income it receives from its second-hand store, Alberta gaming casino funding and other fundraising efforts, including its most significant one volunteering for Westlock's annual Blue Suede Elvis Tribute Music Festival, it is not enough to cover its expenses.
To help cover the unexpected shortfall in funding, the Ripple has cut back its services, including staff hours and wages, and increased its dependency on volunteers, but she said that will not be enough, especially for the long term.
Aitken has also increased her efforts to find additional private and government grants.
"I've applied for six grants. The problem is that most of the grants do not cover operational funding. They are for projects," she said.
In the meantime, Aitken hopes the public will help out and donate.
"What would be great is if a company would step up and sponsor a year of gas, or power, or town utilities, but anything helps and is greatly appreciated," she said.
For more information on how one can help the Ripple Connection Support Centre, contact Aitken at (780) 674-5548 or e-mail at [email protected].
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
