"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned." - Maya Angelou

The discussions on the impacts and implications of PDD Safety Standard 8 coming into effect on April 1st, continues to gain momentum. I recall the survey done by ACDS two years ago asking members to identify potential impacts. The results at the time gave no indication of the scope of the impact or the ethical issues that we need to explore. These conversations are now being demanded of us by the voices of self-advocates, families, guardians and service providers. It is a complex experience with many levels and layers of compliance requirements and inspection authorities. In an attempt at clarity, we commissioned Kathleen Biersdorff to prepare a comprehensive document for members on the issues, legislation and potential impacts. With every new policy, standard or regulation, we need to anticipate and prepare for possible unintended consequences. To what extent is safety increased and to what extent is autonomy, privacy and choice being taken away? Is this the best way to improve safety, will this achieve the desired outcome or is there a better way?

ACDS has met with Human Services Minister Klimchuk, and attended the PDD Provincial Advisory Committee joint meeting with the PDD Self-Advocates Advisory committee, AACL and the Disability Services Division. We have strong voices at both the Calgary and Edmonton regional tables (with ACDS Board members Ryan Geake and Peter Stoye), and are joining a new provincial table on safety standards with Municipal Affairs, health and fire inspectors. We were successfully able to gain support for an exemption process for Service Providers that have not undergone inspection processes. The intent is to use this window to work with PDD to find solutions. As part of our data collection we will be asking you to complete a survey on impacts that can be presented at the provincial table.

As always at this time of year we are madly trying to track the provincial political environment, and in particular, budget scenarios for 2015/16. Messaging has been developed by our ACDS Board Communications Committee for you to share with self-advocates, families, community contacts and others who may be interested.  Jamie Post is your resource for communications; please access his talents individually, as an agency, or Council. We are very pleased that the media has covered commitments by the Premier and Finance Minister that PDD and AISH will "be spared". What this will mean for services next year is unclear as many regions are already experiencing budget pressures and higher projections for uptake. There have been some conversations that the Human Services Ministry may be considering an option of extending contracts for 3 months. How this fits within the context of an early election and the tabling of the provincial budget is unclear. Please connect with your MLA, ask your questions and reinforce the value that your services provide for the people we support.