May 14 COVID-19 Update
This message includes

  • May 13 SPPC Meeting Update: addressing invoicing process issues 
  • Day Programs/Community Access: ACDS is creating a guide for service providers 
  • Data Collection and Funding for Wage Top-Ups: responding to requests 
  • CSS Weekly Q&A: released today 
  • Minister Sawhney’s Letter to Members of the Disability Community   
  • ACDS 2019 Workforce Survey: recently released report and one-pager
  • Resources for Individuals, Businesses, and Not-For-Profits During the COVID-19 Crisis: a follow-up document

Message from Andrea Hesse, CEO
May 13 SPPC Meeting Update
This week’s Service Provider Partnership Committee (SPPC) meeting primarily addressed some of the issues arising as the new the  invoicing process  is being operationalized. 

It was decided that the joint Community and Social Services (CSS)/Service Provider working group will reconvene next week to seek feedback on what is, and isn’t working in terms of application and interpretation of the process, and address the issues. CSS intends to develop themes and new key messages to attempt to resolve areas of concern, and provide clear processes and direction going forward for both service providers and contract specialists. This information will be used to enhance training, and update the  FAQ’s about invoicing , as well address situations that may have been unanticipated. To inform this work, please continue to  share feedback regarding your experiences during this initial month of the process.

The SPPC will also meet next week to continue work on broader areas, including work related to PDD systemic and program issues, as well as interpreting lessons from the current situation. I will provide an update on this, next week. 
Day Programs/Community Access
ACDS is working with CSS to develop clear direction and guidelines for the phased reopening of community access and day programs, including health guidelines and requirements, and prioritizing of service access. CSS has shared that this type of programming likely aligns with Phase 2 of the  Government of Alberta’s (GoA) relaunch plan , but final decisions will be clarified in the coming days. 

ACDS is developing a guide that addresses key considerations for organizational planning from a risk management lens, to assist organizations with planning for future site-based programming. The guide collects current guidelines prepared for other services with similarities to day programs and can inform organizational plans prior to the release of formal government guidelines.  

The ACDS guide will be available shortly and will continually be updated as new information becomes available. 
Data Collection and Funding for Wage Top-Ups
The GoA has not yet announced any decisions regarding the targeting of federal funding for wage top-ups of essential workers in Alberta, although some decisions are expected soon. We have had numerous conversations with CSS officials about this issue, as well as with staff within the Minister’s office. I know some of you have received requests for data regarding staffing impacts and staff retention from regional contract staff this week, and have expressed frustration with the short turnaround and being asked for data on impacts that are changing week-by-week.   

Data about the current impacts of COVID-19 on staffing and service delivery is necessary to inform decision-making, but requests for point-in-time data creates challenges for service providers when you are facing additional demands on your time and administrative capacity.  

Organizations need to make decisions regarding responding to these requests, and we recognize and continue to advocate that better communication about the intent and purpose of these requests would assist you in making those decisions. However, I would encourage you to also consider whether failing to respond impedes response to sector-identified issues. 

Earlier this week, I spoke with Minister Sawhney about the staffing issues in the sector and the issue of wage top-ups to respond to retention issues. One of the challenges she expressed was the urgent need for current data to inform decision-making. ACDS responded the same day with  available general data on the retention issues in the sector  and the current COVID-19 issues exacerbating the retention issues, along with a statement advocating for wage top-up funding. 

ACDS has elected not to send out data requests unless absolutely necessary during this time, although we have been tracking issues and responses, and are planning for broader data collection once the current crisis abates. We will continue to carefully assess the viability and timing of information requests to service providers as we go forward. 
CSS' Weekly Q & A on COVID-19 
This week’s  Q & A for disability service providers  was released this morning. Among other information, the Q & A addresses issues surrounding the restart of community access services and in-home supports. 

ACDS will forward questions to CSS informed by you, so please continue to bring issues and questions forward to us at covid19@acds.ca. Regional Service Provider Council Chairs can also access this process on your behalf. 


Minister Sawhney's Letter to Members of the Disability Community
Earlier this week Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Community and Social Services, released a  letter to members of the disability community.  The letter provides a summary of several ongoing issues affecting individuals with disabilities, and disability service providers. This includes AISH and income support information, staffing issues, and PPE guidelines. 
Community and Social Services Staffing Announcement
CSS  announced  today that John Stinson, Assistant Deputy Minister, is leaving the GoA. We wish John well and thank him for his support of ACDS and the sector. We look forward to working with Tracy Wyrstiuk, Assistant Deputy Minister of Strategic Services in Community and Social Services who, as announced, will fill John’s role on a temporary basis until a permanent appointment is made. 
ACDS 2019 Workforce Survey
The 2019 Workforce Survey Report  was recently released, along with the  summary one-pager . Since 2009, ACDS Annual Workforce Survey's have provided vital information about Alberta’s Community Disability Services (CDS) workforce. The information from these reports provides us with valuable data that we use for our advocacy efforts to strengthen the Community Disability Services sector, including current advocacy efforts to support the CDS workforce during the pandemic.  

We encourage members to share the summary  one-pager  which provides important highlights of the sector's workforce in 2019.
Resources for Individuals, Businesses, and Not-For-Profits During the COVID-19 Crisis: A Follow-Up 
In late March, we worked with ALIGN Alberta, and Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations to release a document compiling the federal government’s financial support measures available to individuals, businesses, and non-profits. The federal government has since announced several new funds to support these groups.  
ACDS COVID-19 Contact Email
Service provider input and engagement is critical to helping ACDS advocate on behalf of the sector. Service providers can report their issues, concerns and questions to our dedicated email, and a member of the ACDS Leadership team will respond:
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Alberta Council of Disability Services