Community Health Connect is the Calgary West Central Primary Care Network's newsletter dedicated to providing members of our community with the latest healthcare information.
August 2026
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Hi , in this issue you can get information about:
Back-to-school: 6 healthy habits for a great start
Understanding Alberta's new driver's licence and health card changes, expiration
Community partner spotlight: End of the Rainbow Foundation
Back-to-school: 6 healthy habits for a great start
A new school year is an exciting time for children and families. A few healthy habits can help make the transition back to school a little easier and set everyone up for success.
Reset sleep routines by adjusting bedtimes and wake-up times one - two weeks before school begins. A consistent sleep schedule helps children feel rested, improves concentration, and supports their overall health.
A healthy lunch gives children the energy they need to learn and play. Include vegetables or fruit, whole grains, and a source of protein. Don't forget a reusable water bottle to help them stay hydrated throughout the day.
Looking for ideas? Try these dietitian-approved recipes:
Talk about back-to-school feelings. It's normal for children to feel excited, nervous, or even worried about going back to school. Take time to ask how they're feeling, listen without judgment, and reassure them that many children have similar feelings.
Regular physical activity benefits children's physical and mental well-being. Walking or biking to school, playing outside, or enjoying family activities are great ways to stay active together. Use the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology’s 24-hour movement guidelines to address your child's whole day.
Stop germs from spreading by reminding children to wash their hands often, cover coughs and sneezes with their elbow, and stay to home if they're feeling unwell. These simple habits help protect classmates, teachers, and family members.
Remember the basics to help make sure your child is ready for the year ahead. Check that routine immunizations are up to date, refill any prescription medications, and schedule vision, hearing, or dental appointments if they're due. Small steps now can help prevent bigger problems later. Use the Alberta Health Services' Back to School Health Checklist to make sure you've covered the essentials.
Standalone health card available to all eligible Albertans.
Mobile health card available through Alberta Wallet as a digital version of your health card for eligible Albertans with a verified Alberta.ca account and a MyHealth Alberta (previously known as MyHealth Records) account.
Integrated driver's licence or ID card available when eligible Albertans apply for or renew a driver's licence or provincial ID card.
No matter which option you choose, your Alberta health care coverage stays the same.
Community partner spotlight: End of the Rainbow Foundation
The End of the Rainbow Foundation was founded in 2017 to improve socioeconomic conditions for people of diverse sexualities by providing innovative education and support programs.
Their services are located at The Calgary Rainbow Room (#400 - 750 11 St. S.W.), a collaboration with many other 2SLGBTQI+ organizations, groups, and projects to offer a one-stop centre to provide support to 2SLGBTQI+ people of all ages and cultures.
The Calgary Rainbow Room, Calgary’s 2SLGBTQI+ community centre, offers peer support groups, tax clinics, English language learning and support for LGBTQI+ newcomers and refugees, including refugee claimants and through private sponsorship in the Calgary area.
Access and eligibility:
Detailed information for each program can be found on their website, endoftherainbow.ca.
Their peer-to-peer support programs do have specific eligibility criteria listed for each group.
Anyone who identifies as 2SLGTBQI+ or an ally is welcome at The Calgary Rainbow Room.
Peer support groups:
TransJourneys is a drop-in group that provides peer support, education, and resources for the transgender community in and around Calgary.
TransFamilies Calgary is exclusively for parents and adult family members of trans-identified individuals.
True Colours is a social and support group with immersive, activity-based events and social gatherings to engage with 2SLGBTQI+ people face-to-face and foster friendships.
