Welcome to the ACDS Umbrella, our quarterly newsletter
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Creating Excellence Together Accreditation: Virtual Surveys and Digital Options
In response to pandemic-related restrictions, ACDS continues to successfully offer a virtual survey process and digital options to allow organizations to complete their Creating Excellence Together (CET) accreditation. 46 service providers have completed the virtual survey since the process was launched in July 2020. An experienced Accreditation Coordinator supports organizations through every step of the accreditation process, while our Surveyors will skillfully guide you through the virtual survey.
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The virtual surveys have received very positive feedback
“The use of technology streamlined the process on our end, and the video conferencing seemed to work well for our team as well. In general, the team seemed to prefer the online experience.”
Alexander Stoye, MirkaCare Services Inc.
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Congratulations to CET Level 2 Service Providers
ACDS is pleased to announce that the following service providers achieved CET Level 2 Accreditation. Level 2 service providers are recognized for their innovative and creative approaches in delivering quality services to individuals with developmental disabilities.
Community Living Alternative Services (CLAS): CLAS also met the requirements for the Complex Support Needs Designation, for Respite for Children and Adults with Disabilities, and for Services for Children with Disabilities.
Entrust Disability Services: Entrust Disability Services also met the requirements for the Complex Support Needs Designation, for Respite for Children and Adults with Disabilities, and for Services for Children with Disabilities.
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Training and Development
ACDS offers several courses and other learning opportunities to disability organizations and staff, giving them the knowledge and tools to provide quality supports to individuals with developmental disabilities.
Courses are designed for leaders and frontline staff working in the disability sector and are available to members and non-members. Many courses are relevant to, and may be of interest to staff and organizations outside of Alberta.
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Training is currently offered through two delivery methods
Virtual training: Virtual training sessions are hosted via Zoom communications over two to three days. All previous in-person training is currently being held virtually.
Online training: Ongoing courses that can be started and completed online at a learners’ own pace.
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Upcoming Training
Virtual Introduction to PBS
Hosted Via Zoom June 28, 29, and 30 (9:00am to 12:00pm each day)
This course is an introduction to Positive Behaviour Supports (PBS) for frontline staff supporting individuals with developmental disabilities who experience behaviours of concern. This PBS course will highlight the importance of knowing the individual, the importance of trust and relationships in the lives of the individuals, and how to better support an individual when they are experiencing behaviours of concern.
Fees:
ACDS Members: $90 + GST per learner
Non-members: $129 + GST per learner
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New sessions for the upcoming months will be announced on our website and through our social media platforms.
Contact training@acds.ca to notify us of the specific courses of interest to your organization to help us to schedule future sessions.
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ACDS Survey 2020: COVID-19 Impact on CDS Workforce
This year’s survey gathered data on the impact of COVID-19 on community disability services organizations and workforce in Alberta in 2020. ACDS also offered participating member organizations a confidential analyses of how their own organization compares with the provincial data. The full results of the ACDS Survey are available to members, while a summary document is posted on our website and accessible to the public.
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Advocacy Timeline
We continue to advocate on every major issue impacting the CDS sector related to the pandemic. This comprehensive timeline details ACDS’ advocacy efforts at every stage of the crisis since the public health emergency was declared in Alberta in March 2020.
Learn more about ACDS’ advocacy efforts on issues related to COVID-19, as well as other issues impacting the CDS sector.
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Vaccine Resources
We have added a number of vaccine-related resources to our pandemic response resources page to provide the sector with comprehensive information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
Resources have been curated from a variety of government and peer-reviewed scientific websites. We encourage you to share these within your organizations
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SPOKES: Connecting You to Resources
Our new monthly e-newsletter provides ACDS members with timely information about relevant resources available to support the Community Disability Services sector in Alberta. This includes resources offered by ACDS, non-profit organizations, the Government of Alberta, and other bodies.
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Carla Lawrence
Accreditation Manager
Carla has a degree in Human Services and has spent more than 15 years working in the disability sector, primarily in Alberta. She joined ACDS as an Accreditation Coordinator in 2019 and is widely recognized by service providers for her skill in the delivery of accreditation services. Carla has also been involved in accreditation program development and has been instrumental in contributing to the success of the virtual CET accreditation process launched in July 2020. She looks forward to advancing the CET program in her new role as Accreditation Manager.
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Elizabeth Schweighardt
Research Analyst
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Welcoming New Members
ACDS is delighted to welcome the following organizations, who have joined our strong and impactful collective in recent months. We thank you for trusting ACDS to support your organization, and the wider sector.
Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province and one territory, CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive.
Formerly Central Alberta Residence Society (CARS). Since 1977, they have been providing individualized and flexible support to individuals with disabilities. Etana collaborates with individuals, and their families, to demonstrate what is possible when progressive, thoughtful supports are provided.
Independent Counselling Enterprises (ICE) is one of the largest service providers in the disability services industry. The agency has more than 30 years of experience serving individuals with developmental disabilities and helping them meet their goals. ICE is owned and operated in Alberta and has offices in Edmonton, Calgary, Grande Prairie and Lethbridge.
New Beginnings Association of Southern Alberta
Incorporated in 1988 in Lethbridge, New Beginnings provides day program services to 9 individuals. They provide adults with developmental disabilities a sense of belonging in a safe, secure, home away from home through day support. This provides them opportunities for education, daily living skills, recreation, socialization, and community involvement.
Venturers is a unique Community Access program for adults with developmental disabilities. They began in 1986 as a forestry training project with 6 full-time participants with disabilities. Today they have 40 participants based at host sites in Fish Creek Provincial Park, Elbow Fire Base in Kananaskis Country, Burby Hall in Bragg Creek and in Medicine Hat/Cypress Hills Provincial Park.
Learn more about the benefits of ACDS membership, with various options for membership ranging from a voting ACDS Member to an Associate Member for individuals and families.
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Celebrating Our Sector
The #QualityCDS campaign celebrates CDS sector, including the sector's achievements during the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign shares facts about community-based service delivery, along with staff stories, acts of collaboration between sector organizations, and more. We encourage our members and supporters to use the #QualityCDS hashtag on social media to promote the amazing work of the sector.
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Notification of Research Study - FASD & Suicide Prevention / Intervention
The University of Calgary and the CanFASD Research Network are conducting a research project entitled, Stakeholder Perspectives on Risk Factors and Opportunities for Suicide Prevention Among Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The study is seeking to gain understanding from caregivers of children and youth with FASD, professionals and researchers who engage with persons with FASD, and community members in order to impact best practice suicide prevention and intervention strategies for this population.
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Johnson Insurance 2021 Scholarship Program Available to ACDS Members
Johnson Insurance is offering 50 scholarships of $1,000 each to eligible students completing high school in 2021 and starting post-secondary education in the fall of 2021. Qualifying children or grandchildren of ACDS member organization employees are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is July 15, 2021.
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...And Along Came Alexis: A Memoir by Emma Pivato
Emma Pivato, author and founder of ACDS member agency Home Within a Home Society has written a new book about her daughter Alexis. “...And Along Came Alexis” is a book about choices and consequences. The author’s youngest daughter, Alexis, was born in 1978 with multiple disabilities, including blindness, an intractable seizure disorder and spastic quadriplegia. The book describes the story of her life to date from her mother’s viewpoint: its victories and setbacks, its grim moments and its funny moments. Overall, it is a positive story, demonstrating what is possible, even under very challenging circumstances.
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Alberta Council of Disability Services
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