How the Alberta SCI Initiative is Structured

The Alberta SCI Initiative is simply the implementation of the Alberta Proposal, 'Going Forward Together'; a 2007 proposal prepared by the Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) and Alberta SCI stakeholders as part of the '20th Anniversary Legacy Initiative'.  The Alberta Proposal resulted in an investment of $12 million over five years and a related agreement between the Government of Alberta and RHF.  The Initiative is fully funded by this Alberta Contribution; there are no other funders at this time.

The Alberta Paraplegic Foundation (The APF) is the legal entity responsible to the RHF for management of Alberta's contribution, consistent with the strategies and priorities contained in the Alberta Proposal.  The APF has created two committees, the Alberta SCI Solutions Alliance and the Alberta SCI Research Team, to provide advice and mentorship for the project.  The Canadian Paraplegic Association (Alberta) has been retained to provide secretariat services to The APF, the Alberta SCI Solutions Alliance and the Alberta SCI Research Team with regard to the Initiative and related activities.

Each year, The APF submits a Business Plan to the RHF and indirectly to its partner organization, the SCI Solutions Network.  Funding for the year is released based on acceptance of this plan.  Together the RHF and The APF prepare six month activity reports and an annual report to the Government of Alberta.

The Alberta Proposla was presented in four parts, each with its own clear goal.  The APF assumes responsibility for management of the first two and receives funding from RHF accordingly; the remaining two are currently managed by the RHF, who reports independently (but through the same document) to the Government of Alberta.