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The Disability Workers Safety Hub
The app developed jointly by the Alberta Council of Disability Services and the Alberta Disability Workers Association is now available to everyone on tablets, phones, laptops and desktop computers.
The app was made possible thanks to funding provided by Occupational Health and Safety
For Desktop Users
1. Using any browser go to moodle.acdsonline.ca
2. Click on "Safety for Disability Workers"
3. At the login screen click the "Login as a guest" button
4. Start exploring the app!
Report any Issues
The app is still under some development. If you notice any errors, please email us at [email protected].
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ACDS Notes
Please welcome Audene Walker to the ACDS Team
"I recently joined ACDS as the Workforce Classification System Marketing Representative.
My background includes Human Resources, Business Development and Marketing both nationally and internationally."
Audene can be reached at [email protected].
Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities
Former ACDS CEO Ann Nicol has recently been appointed to the Premier's Council. Congrats Ann!
Alberta.ca
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Training and Development
Complex Needs Symposium held on August 17, 2017
What started out as PBS trainer event morphed into a Complex Needs Symposium with 150 participants including representation from every region in the province!
One of the major recommendations from the Valerie Wolski fatality inquiry is related to ensuring that organizations that provide support to individuals with complex support needs are accredited to do that. The need for greater due diligence around the safety of staff, individuals accessing service and the broader community, coupled with the increasing complexity of new clients coming into services will continue to bring this area of service into sharper focus.
There is collaborative work underway to move this forward and 150 participants attended the session in Red Deer on August 17 to provide their feedback. It is currently being collated and will be ready (August 30) shortly. At first glance the overwhelming majority agreed with the direction being taken to formalize the Complex Needs Designation.
ACDS introduced a new concept of Service Tiers. This is a concept that we are exploring to help service providers understand the requirements for training needed to support people with complex needs. The plan is to assign Tier level to an organization not to the individual.
Presenters included:
- Tim Weinkauf - PDD Program - GOA Definition and Policy and Procedure
- Clova Lehr: ACDS - Complex Support Needs Designation
- Sandy Marcynuk - Alberta Health Services - CN PDD-AHS collaborative Initiative
- Lesli Peddie and Ken Hatch, Calgary SCOPE Society: What is Community Secure Treatment?
- Trauma Informed Care: Susannah Horgan, Catalyst Team, Calgary
Click here and visit the ACDS Community of Practice for a list of links and resources mentioned by the presenters.
Save the Dates
Information session and dialogue on the discussion of the future of complex needs.
Presenters will include Tim Weinkauf and Clova Lehr.
September 21, 2017 - Calgary
September 28, 2017 - Edmonton
Times and locations to be announced shortly.
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Positive Behaviour Supports
Alberta Council of Disability Services Presents
Subsidized by Disability Services
Positive Behaviour Supports
Two Day Workshop
A flexible framework for staff around behavioural approaches that are person centred.
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Edmonton
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PBS Train the Trainer
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September 28 + 29
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Calgary
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PBS Level 1 & 2
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October 3 + 4
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click on Training and Events
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"Making communities inclusive and welcoming where all people enjoy opportunities to fulfill their potential and benefit from strong social, economic and cultural life is of upmost importance to safety". -
PDD Safety Standards Consultation in 2016
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From Community Presence to Community Inclusion
E-Learning available: approximately 3 hours - Current subsidies available!
Empowering the Frontline for Quality of Life Service Delivery
Taking that next step to creating inclusive lives in community for the individuals accessing services can be challenging work. This resource was designed to
heighten your awareness of opportunities for inclusion, shares strategies for nurturing and maintaining friendships and networks of support, and tips on measuring progress.
As a disability service professional, you are in the unique and privilege position to enhance the quality of life for individual(s) with developmental disabilities. This material will help you
understand the language around inclusion and integration,
and
explore your beliefs about community inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities.
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Standards and Accreditation
Excellence in Accreditation!
ACDS would like to congratulate Robin Hood Association for the Handicapped and MirkaCare Services Inc. for successfully achieving CET Accreditation Level 2, for showing themselves worthy of their commendations, and for being community leaders.
Robin Hood Association for the Handicapped
In addition to achieving CET Accreditation Level 2, Robin Hood Association for the Handicapped (Robin Hood) also met the requirements for Respite for Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities. This organization provides community, residential, respite and employment services to 650 children and adults in the communities of Sherwood Park and Fort Saskatchewan.
Following this year's survey, the Commission on Accreditation commended Robin Hood for
- developing and implementing continuous improvement plans in each of its departments
- implementing highly-rated software programs to promote quality assurance in almost all areas
- building extensive community connections and showing creativity in helping individuals stay involved in their communities
- having a good knowledge base for staff in regards to behaviours supports
- proactively including possible IT network breakdowns in its Business Continuity Plan
MirkaCare Services Inc.
In 2017, MirkaCare Services Inc. (MCS) successfully attained CET Accreditation Level 2, and then went on to meet the requirements for Services for Children with Disabilities, and the Complex Support Needs Review. In addition to serving about 58 individuals in various residential settings around the city of Edmonton, MCS provides emergency 24-hours respite care, support around complex neurological issues, etc., and business consulting support to other organizations.
Following this year's survey, the Commission on Accreditation commended MCS for
- having numerous affiliates and partners in this field as well as related fields
- using well-developed care and support plans when individuals are in transitioning phases
- extending themselves to promote community activities for individuals and to help them expand their circle of friends
- providing children safe and secure environments, especially during a time of crisis
- having readily available and highly informative information for applicants and other interested persons
- going above and beyond to provide all the resources staff need to serve individuals, including those with complex needs and those who present behaviours of concern
- promoting employee recognizing and appreciation
Creating Excellence among our CET Surveyors
On August 30, ACDS Standards and Accreditation held a training session for six CET Surveyors who want to step up their involvement in doing site surveys by becoming Team Leaders. Sheila Trew, Senior Accreditation Coordinator. facilitated the day-long session. Our congratulations to the Team Leader trainees, and welcome to this group.
Changes to CET Accreditation Standard 41:
Employee Training and Development
Why revise Standard 41?
After publishing and distributing the CET Accreditation Level 1 and Level 2 Standards manuals, ACDS' Accreditation Department fielded several questions about mandatory training and about training specific for staff who serve individuals with complex needs. The types of questions raised prompted us to review and rewrite much of the text under "About this Standard."
What changed?
- Some text was rewritten to add clarity
- Much of the text was put in a revised order to better highlight the most important points (e.g., training that is specific to the individuals)
- Subtitles were added to make it easier to find pertinent topics (e.g., Mandatory training, Specialized training)
- A list was added to address training for dual diagnosis with behavioural challenges
How do I get a copy of the revised standard?
The revised text for Standard 41 will be included in any new printings of the manuals. Everyone who has already purchased a CET Accreditation Level 1 or Level 2 Standards manual will be sent via email a printable PDF file of this standard.
Organizations that do not yet have the CET Accreditation Standards manual, or wish to order the Additional Indicators for Complex Support Needs Review, Respite for Children or Adults with Disabilities, and/or Services for Children with Disabilities, can download an order form from
Questions?
If you have any questions about the standards, feel free to contact the Accreditation department at
[email protected].
Accreditation Equivalencies
During February and March 2017, Western Management Corporation conducted an equivalency review on behalf of the Ministry of Community and Social Services; Disabilities, Inclusion and Accessibility Division. The review compared the accreditation standards of five accrediting bodies with ACDS' Creating Excellence Together (CET) Standards to determine which standards are equal to CET in measuring Quality of Life, Quality of Service, and Organizational Framework.
The Assistant Deputy Minister has endorsed the following recommendations from the Corporation's report.
The standards of the following three organizations are deemed comparable across all support and services. Service providers that choose to be accredited through one of these organizations do not need to go through any CET Supplemental review.
- The Council on Accreditation (COA) Standards
- The Canadian Accreditation Commission (CAC) Standards have just received equivalency status
- The Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
The Accreditation Canada (AC) Standards are deemed comparable across all supports and services with the exception of employment supports. Therefore, service providers that choose to be accredited through AC will also be required to go through a CET Supplemental review.
The Canadian Centre for Accreditation (CCA) Standards were deemed not comparable; therefore, organizations will be required to go through a full CET Accreditation review.
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Complex Support Needs Designation
The Ministry of Community and Social Services; Disabilities, Inclusion and Accessibility Division (DIAD) is supporting the Complex Support Needs Designation (CSND) for organizations that serve individuals with complex support needs according to PDD's definition/criteria.
DIAD will fund CSND reviews as of September 2017. A review can be done in conjunction with CET Accreditation Level 1 or Level 2.
To help service providers prepare for a CSND review, ACDS has been working with the Calgary SCOPE Society to develop Service Tier levels that will outline what types of resources and staff training that organizations will require. For example:
- Service Tier I: service providers serve individuals with developmental disabilities who may have behavioural plans but do not have complex needs or multi-system involvement
- Service Tier II: service providers support individuals who have dual diagnosis and complex needs that require interventions, behaviour support plans, and additional staff training
- Service Tier III: service providers have individuals with extreme complex mental health, medical and/or behavioural needs that require the supports offered under Tier II, plus have need of specialized housing and staff who are experienced qualified persons/professionals
A detailed presentation on CSND, Service Tiers, training, etc. was given at the Complex Support Needs Symposium in Red Deer (August 2017). Additional sessions will be held this year in Edmonton and Calgary, after which time, one of the sessions will be available online.
Service providers that wish to add the CSND review to its next CET site survey can do so by contacting their Accreditation Coordinator or by writing to the Accreditation Department at [email protected].
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News, Links, and Events
Community Facility Enhancement Program
Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) funding provides financial assistance to acquire, build, purchase, repair, renovate, upgrade or expand sports, recreational, cultural or other related public-use community facilities.
Small Funding Stream application deadline - September 17
Large Funding Stream application deadline - October 1
Alberta.ca
Empowering mothers with disabilities
The "Brand New Me" workshop series helps women with disabilities who have experienced violence develop social and boundary-setting skills and build their confidence. Sessions also include sexual health education, employment preparation and tools to address abusive relationships.
Alberta.ca
Connections Counselling
Your Life, Your Rights
All people need to know their rights. The Your Life, Your Rights book and handbook were published by Estevan Diversified Services(EDS) to ensure that all clients know their Rights for Life. This Clear Language Book of Rights aims to help everyone to know the rights that all people have and empower people to have choice and control in their own lives.
Click to download Your Life, Your Rights and the handbook
Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations - Nonprofit Leadership Development
Executive Directions provides participants with an environment for leadership learning and growth that fosters an increased impact in, and through, the people and the organizations they serve. The program integrates innovative and impactful ideas and processes from many sectors, tailoring them to the unique needs of the nonprofit leader.
Apply now for the fall 2017-18 Ascent cohort - a new program for directors, program managers, and other senior-level leaders
Application deadline: September 8.
Complex Needs Initiative Learning Series
Remaining Session Dates in 2017:
Sep 15: Sensory strategies in action for staff who work with individuals with complex service needs - Calgary
Oct 19: Communicating with professional staff who provide clinical support - Edmonton
Nov 15: Beyond the Birds & the Bees - Supporting sexuality for people with disabilities - Grande Prairie
Each of these events are delivered face to face and are available through video conference at various sites throughout the province.
Visit the Complex Needs website at Alberta Health Services for more info.
Reach for the Top
Mental Health First Aid
Offered by Calgary Alternative Support Services
Mental Health First Aid is offered to someone with an emerging mental health problem or in a mental health crisis until appropriate treatment is found or the situation is resolved.
What you can expect from this course:
* Gain the confidence and skills to engage someone with an emerging mental health
problem or in a mental health crisis;
* Greater recognition of mental health problems;
* Decreased stigma; and
* Improved mental health for yourself.
September 19/20: Poster - Registration Form
November 14/15: Poster - Registration Form
A Trauma-Informed Toolkit for Providers in the Field of Intellectual Disabilities
Research has shown that people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) are at significantly more risk of ACEs and other forms of abuse and neglect than is the general population. This toolkit, attached here for free downloading, addresses a number of areas designed to support people with IDD who may have experienced trauma.
Read more about the toolkit
March of Dimes Canada - Assistive Mobile Technology Initiative Tablet Giveaway
March of Dimes Canada will help residents in Halifax, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver with physical disabilities to enhance their community access and participation through the Assistive Mobile Technology Initiative by providing customized tablet packages (a tablet, a stylus and a cover/case), for up to 8 residents in each city. The tablet prize package will also include a pre-paid credit card to purchase/install appropriate apps to meet their needs, for a total value of up to $1,875.
Non-Profit Quarterly - Financial Management (Educational Resources)
A curated list of educational resources for nonprofits to utilize.
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The ACDS Umbrella is a publication of the
Alberta Council of Disability Services
160 3015-12 Street NE
Calgary, Alberta, T2E 7J2
Phone: 403-250-9495 * Fax: 403-291-9864
© 2017 Alberta Council of Disability Services
Do you have something to say about
The ACDS Umbrella or any of its content?
Permission to Reprint: Is there an article or news item in this or any other ACDS Umbrella newsletter that you would like to reprint in your own newsletter or other information circular? Please contact us at
[email protected], attention Communications and Marketing, and include the title of the article, the issue date (e.g., February 2013), and a brief summary of how the material will be used.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in The ACDS Umbrella is for your information only and links are provided for your convenience. ACDS is not responsible for the content, change in content, accuracy, relevancy, copyright compliance, or legality of the material on external websites.
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