FCSS uses a "people helping people to help themselves" approach and offers a wide range of programs and services at the community level. Following are some examples of programs or services offered through FCSS:

1. Services to assist communities to identify their social needs and develop responses to meet those needs, including:

• raising public awareness around community issues,
• developing strategies for community advocacy,
• developing comprehensive social community plans and initiatives,
• environmental scans, service reviews, strategic planning, program planning, or
• in-kind support to community-based groups (until they are able to sustain themselves) such as provision of office space, printing, photocopying, help with preparing proposals, ect.;

2. Services to promote, encourage and support volunteer work in the community, including:

• recruitment, training and placement services,
• resources to support volunteers, or
• coordination of volunteer services;

3. Services to inform the public of available services, including:

• information and referral services,
• community information directories,
• newcomer services, or
• interagency coordination;

4. Services that promote the social development of children and their families, including:

• parent-child development activities,
• temporary or occasional parent relief services, or
• support services for young school age children;

5. Services that enrich and strengthen family life by developing skills so people can function more effectively within their own environment, including:

• parenting and family life education and development programs,
• marriage enrichment,
• retirement planning,
• programs for single adults and single parents,
• courses designed to enhance self-awareness and personal growth,
• individual, family and group counselling services that are educational and not treatment oriented, or
• youth development services

6. Services that enhance the quality of life of the retired and semi-retired, including:

• home support services,
• education and information services,
• outreach and coordination services, or
• self-help socialization activities.

7. Ineligible Services:

Services provided under an FCSS Program must not provide primarily for the recreational needs or leisure time pursuits of individuals; offer direct assistance, including money, food, clothing or shelter, to sustain an individual or family; be primarily rehabilitative in nature; nor duplicate services that are ordinarily provided by a government or government agency.