Alberta Home Visitation Network Association

January 2007

Human Resources Crisis

Home Visitation Makes a Difference

• 73 AHVNA member agencies provide services to Alberta children and families

• In 2005-06,– we helped 3,989 families

– we made 36,535 home visits

Help Wanted Now!

We have:

• a human resources crisis

• increased demand for services

• home visitation programs that are in jeopardy

Human Resources Crisis

• Difficult to recruit and retain staff

• High annual staff turnover (up to 40% in some agencies)

• 80% of managers to exit in five years

• Lack of qualified candidates applying

• Poor or no response to position ads

Factors Affecting Non-profit Sector

• Rising cost of living • Rising operational costs• More demand for services • Staff unable to make ends meet• No or minimal increase in salaries

since 2000• Staff leaving for better paying jobs

Funding Issues for Visitation Programs

• $6.5* million invested annually in home visitation services

• No increase in funding since 2000

• 25% lower salaries and benefits for non-profits vs others in sector

Looking Ahead

We need to:

• Obtain realistic and equitable funding

• Seek support from corporate sectors

• Have input into long-term government policy strategies on funding

What We Need Now

• Increase in salaries and benefits to bring equity to the sector

• Adequate funding for cost of living

• Funding to meet increased demand

With Equitable Funding, We Can Accomplish Much

• Build early healthy attachments between parent and child

• Holistically nurture and support whole families• Use family strengths • Connect families with community resources • Complement work of other agencies

Contact Information

Alberta Home Visitation Network Association (AHVNA)

9321 Jasper Avenue,

Edmonton, AB T5H 3T7

Phone: (780) 429-4787

Web: www.ahvna.org