Welcome to the ACDS Umbrella, our quarterly newsletter

Reading this online? Subscribe today

ACDS 2023 Conference: Registration Now Open

Due to unforeseen logistical issues with the original conference venue, Impact 2023: the ACDS Annual Conference will now be held on May 31-June 1, 2023 at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino. We look forward to hosting Impact 2023 at this exciting new venue.

Stay tuned... Conference registration will open soon!

#ACDS2023Conference #IMPACT2023

Welcoming New Staff

Nujhat Adrita joins ACDS as our Training and Development Manager. She graduated from the University of Calgary with a Master’s in Adult and Continuing Education, specializing in Educational Research. As Training and Development Manager, her goal is to improve existing, and create new training opportunities for facilitators and in-service professionals informed by the current professional development needs of the Community Disability Service (CDS) sector.

In late 2022 we welcomed Carrie Thiessen as our new Accreditation Administrative Coordinator. Carrie joins us from the Calgary Real Estate Board where she served in various positions for 19 years, including as Admin Assistant, Training Coordinator and most recently as Event Coordinator. She is very passionate about the work we do at ACDS and thrilled to be a part of the Accreditation Team. 

Farewell to Linda McLean, Commission on Accreditation

Linda McLean recently retired from the Commission on Accreditation. Linda joined the Commission following an extensive career in the CDS sector. For several years she served as a supervisor at the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary (DDRC), then as Executive Director at Handibus, and finally as the Executive Director of Calgary Society of Community Opportunities before she moved over to consulting. She is also a guardian of an individual with a developmental disability.

Linda served as a CET survey team leader for five years in early 2000, and since 2013 has participated on the Commission on Accreditation. Her deep knowledge of the sector and analytical mind have been a huge asset to the Commission. Her input and feedback has resulted in a stronger Commission review process, and and overall stronger Commission on Accreditation.

We are sincerely grateful for Linda's service. She will be missed!

Welcoming New Members

ACDS is delighted to welcome Calgary Progressive Lifestyles Foundation to our membership. We thank you for trusting ACDS to support your organization, and the wider sector.

Established in 1993, Calgary Progressive Lifestyles Foundation provides innovative supports to adults with developmental disabilities and complex needs. Their multi-disciplinary team provides comprehensive services which focus on community inclusion and holistic planning.

News Additions to ACDS Art Gallery



In May, we launched the ACDS art gallery in celebration of our 50th anniversary. We have been honoured with the opportunity to showcase art pieces created by artists at Chrysalis and URSA. There are many pieces currently available for purchase. Email acds@acds.ca if you are interested in purchasing any of the artwork featured.

Congratulations to CET Level 2 Service Providers 

ACDS is pleased to announce that the following service providers have 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.

Key Support Services Inc.

Living Independently for Equality (LIFE)

Supported Lifestyles Ltd.

Congratulations to CET Level 1 Service Providers 

Alberta Adaptabilities

Alfred Egan Home

Camrose Assoc for Community Living (CAFCL)

Columbia Training Center

Edenbridge Family Services Inc.

Health Care Homes

L’Arche Calgary

Padnoma Support Services

Quest Support Services Inc.

Southern Alberta Community Living Association (SACLA)

SS I*C*E*

Tralee Residential Services

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 support to individuals with developmental disabilities.

These 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 learner's own pace.

In-Person and Virtual Training

View the listing of upcoming training, including:

• CET Surveyor Training (New Standards)
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NCVI) Training (Holds)

Blueprint CDS: Workforce Strategy Report

Following engagement with 133 attendees representing 78 CDS sector organizations, preliminary recommendations developed as a part of Project Blueprint CDS have been supplemented, reviewed, and validated by sector leaders from across the province. This engagement process has resulted in Blueprint CDS: A Comprehensive Workforce Strategy for Community Disability Services, and its supplementary document, Blueprint CDS: Technical Backgrounder, which details the evidence and research methodology underlying the development of the strategy.

Further work is currently underway to co-design an implementation plan for each recommendation with the Project Blueprint Advisory Committee. The plan will guide ACDS’ future activities to strive for a professional, skilled, and sustainable CDS sector workforce.



#BlueprintCDS

New Interactive Advocacy Timeline

We continue to advocate for every major issue related to the pandemic impacting the CDS sector. This comprehensive timeline is updated with ACDS’ advocacy efforts at every crisis stage since the public health emergency was declared in Alberta in March 2020. 

Learn more about ACDS’ advocacy efforts on issues related to COVID-19 and other issues impacting the CDS sector with the new interactive Advocacy Timeline.

Budget 2023: Significant Funding in Disability Services

Budget 2023 commits significant new investments in community supports for Albertans with disabilities. These investments will address a longstanding waitlist of individuals requiring supports, as well as ongoing funding to address chronic wage disparity in the community disability services workforce and rising administrative costs.

The 2023 budget includes a $137.6 million increase in disability services from the 2022 budget and will cover:

• $89 million to allow the continued increases in staff wages
• $8.5 million to service providers for administrative costs
• $42.5 million to create more access to PDD and FSCD and reduce waitlists: further details on this funding are expected in the coming days. ACDS has been informed that significant funding will be allocated over the next 3 years with the goal of fully addressing the waitlist. 

ACDS was pleased to be invited to the Alberta Legislature today at an embargoed briefing for Budget 2023. We are delighted with today’s announcements and sincerely appreciate the hard advocacy work of the many service providers, staff, and other allies, that has resulted in this significant funding.