Welcome to the ACDS Umbrella, our quarterly newsletter

In This December 2021 Issue
ACDS News

ACDS 2021 Highlights
As this calendar year draws to close, we our proud to highlight and share our many accomplishments of 2021, despite another challenging year related to the pandemic. We thank you all for your ongoing support and trust, and we commit to building on these achievements in 2022. #ACDS2021Highlights

We wish you a restful and happy holiday season.
Staffing Updates
Brittany Rogers
Accreditation Coordinator

Brittany most recently worked for Progressive Alternatives Society of Calgary (PASC) where she served for over 3 years as a Community and Employment Facilitator. Brittany has a diploma in Business Administration from SAIT and is currently completing a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Athabasca University. ACDS is pleased have Brittany join the team!
Danielle Mazerolle
Accreditation Coordinator

Danielle has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Winnipeg. She began her career in community and social services in Winnipeg and has continued working in the field since she moved to Calgary in 2002. Danielle brings over 25 years of experience to her new role and ACDS is thrilled to have her on team.
Debbie Casper
Accounting Clerk/Receptionist

Debbie comes from a diverse background in accounting having worked at a plastics group, oil & gas company, in addition to municipal government. Debbie is currently working on her finance degree on a part-time basis. ACDS welcomes Debbie!
ACDS Program Updates

Creating Excellence Together 2021 Accreditation Standards
Following a comprehensive review process, ACDS launched the new CET Standards in September. The new CET Standards: 

  • Are more relevant to participating service providers and the individuals they serve
  • Involve a more streamlined process for participating service providers pursuing accreditation 
  • Will have impact. The new Standards will ultimately ensure quality services for individuals with developmental disabilities 
CET Virtual Surveys and Digital Options

87 service providers have completed virtual surveys since the virtual survey process was launched in July 2020. ACDS launched the virtual process in July 2020 to allow organizations to complete their CET accreditation given pandemic-related restrictions.
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. 

Care Human Services Ltd: Care Human Services also met the requirements for the Complex Support Needs Designation

Lacombe Action Group for the Handicapped: The Action Group also met the requirements for the Complex Support Needs Designation, Respite for Children and Adults with Disabilities, and Services for Children with Disabilities

Life Empowerment Inc: Life Empowerment also met the requirements for the Complex Support Needs Designation, Respite for Children and Adults with Disabilities, and Services for Children with Disabilities

Vecova Centre for Disability Services and Research: Vecova also met the requirements for the Complex Support Needs Designation, and Respite for Children and Adults with Disabilities

Congratulations to CET Level 1 Service Providers 

ACDS is pleased to share that the following service providers achieved CET Level 1 Accreditation.

  • Advance Society Innisfail: Support for Developmentally Disabled
  • Ever Bright Complex Needs Support Services
  • New Age Services Inc.
  • Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts
  • Optional Rehabilitation Services Inc. (OPTIONS)
  • Passionate Home Caregivers Inc. (maybe, maybe not)
  • Providing Residential Options and Services (PROS)
  • Rocky Support Services Society (formerly COPE, Rocky Mountain House Society for Persons with Disabilities)
  • Wild Rose Caregivers Ltd.
  • Winnifred Stewart Association
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.
Online Training
Ongoing courses that can be completed and started at a learners' own pace

New courses include:
Virtual Training

View the listing of upcoming virtual training, including:
  • Outcomes
  • Introduction to Positive Behaviour Supports
  • Facilitating Meaningful Change with Outcomes
  • Introduction to Positive Behaviour Supports (Train-the-Trainer)
Advocacy and Research
COVID-19 Year 2: Stories from the CDS Sector

In November 2021, ACDS released COVID-19 Pandemic Year 2: Stories from Summer 2021 in Alberta’s Community Disability Services Sector, highlighting the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline delivery in Alberta's community disability services. The report supplements ACDS' 2020 Impact and Insights: COVID-19 and Alberta’s CDS
Sector News and Updates
Plain Language Version of PDD Steering Committee Report Released

Last week, the Ministry of Community and Social Services (CSS) released a plain language version of the formal report presented by the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) Steering Committee to the Minister of CSS in September 2021. The plain language report shares the recommendations developed by the steering committee over the course of November 2020 to February 2021 to address some of the ongoing challenges impacting the PDD program. You can read the plain language report here. CSS has also released the "What We Heard" report following a review of the FSCD program from July 2020 through May 2021. 

ACDS served as core member of the PDD Steering Committee, along with advocates, family members, and Government of Alberta staff. 
CSND and Secure Treatment Survey Now Mandatory

On December 17, 2021 the Ministry of Community and Social Services announced that Community Disability Services (CDS) sector organizations providing supports under Service Tier II must obtain their Complex Support Needs Designation (CSND) through ACDS’ Creating Excellence Together (CET) accreditation program by March 31, 2024. CDS sector organizations that meet the criteria for Service Tier III must also complete CET’s Secure Treatment survey by that date. 

The CDS sector has championed quality assurance measures for services that support individuals with developmental disabilities, including for individuals with complex support needs. ACDS has continually advocated for these measures to become mandatory, and we are very pleased with this announcement. 


ACDS is currently offering an online course about the new CET Standards, including the addition of Secure Treatment quality measures and indicators. 


Alberta Council of Disability Services