April 23 COVID-19 Update
This message includes

  • Our commitment to you: ACDS remains focused and resilient for our membership 
  • Outstanding issues, and commitments from CSS: redoubling our advocacy efforts 
  • Addressing workforce challenges and COVID-related funding needs
  • Clarity on the April 10 Public Health Order: new flowchart created by ACDS 
  • New email, covid19@acds.ca: continue to keep us informed so we can advocate effectively for you 
Our commitment to you
COVID-19 continues to present unprecedented challenges for our sector. Service providers face complex and evolving issues, as you continue to support already-vulnerable individuals. We hear your concerns and understand the very real impact of these on your services.  These are hard and uncertain times, but I want to assure you that ACDS remains focused and committed to supporting the sector through this crisis.  Like so many of you, over the past several weeks, ACDS has worked hard to adapt to the changing landscape, and we remain resilient for our membership. I want to extend my thank you for your continued trust in us, as the collective voice of the sector. I know that some of you are amplifying our efforts with your individual advocacy. These collective efforts are important and ACDS is here to support in the delivery of our key common messages. 
 
Over the past few weeks— by mobilizing the mechanisms and relationships we have built with government over the past two years —we have advocated successfully on a number of issues, including: allowing flexibility in funding allocation to support staffing and program decisions; allowing service providers to determine their essential services from other services; more direct and frequent communication (regional videoconferences) between Community and Social Services (CSS) and service providers; among others.  

Outstanding issues: redoubling our efforts 
While we welcome CSS’ advancing of the above issues, despite our strong advocacy efforts, some crucial issues remain unresolved, and some key commitments from CSS remain unfulfilled. We share your deep frustration on this and redoubled our efforts to advance the following prominent issues. We are pleased to report some very recent updates, detailed in bullets below. 

1.The need for overall increased written clarity and communication from CSS :  
 
2.Ensuring PDD group homes have the required PPE to follow the guidelines from Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer:   

In addition, through our ongoing conversations with CSS and the regular Service Provider Partnership Committee (SPPC) meetings—including recent April 15th, 21st and 23rd meetings— we are also diligently addressing the following issues:

  • The consequences to staffing of the April 10 Public Health Order: see below section on addressing workforce challenges related to the pandemic 
  • The disconnect between health and PDD 
  • The need for supporting benefits in in lay-off situations 
  • The need to address COVID-19 specific costs, beyond tracking 
  • Addressing service implications in future outbreak situations 
  • The need to address increased staffing costs and/or wage increases: see following section 
Addressing workforce challenges and COVID-related funding needs
Service providers are experiencing significant and growing workforce challenges in the current conditions. We have clearly articulated to CSS both the urgent short-term, and long-term risks of this crisis on the sector’s workforce. 

Staff are being asked to take on an expanded scope of responsibility as expectations around health orders increase, and the individuals they support struggle with the change in routine and isolation. In addition, we also addressed the longer-term impact on the sector’s workforce, as staff become disengaged through layoffs, loss of staff to long-term care, the availability of federal benefits programs, etc. 

Although wage enhancements do not solve all these issues, they do acknowledge the work of individuals at this challenging time, and assist in the ability of agencies to respond. We are addressing this issue, and in context of the following recent developments: 


To accompany the advocacy on the wage incentives, we have shared workforce data compiled by ACDS , including details on current wages in the sector. 

At yesterday’s SPPC meeting, we were able to make significant gains on the development and implementation of detailed parameters for funding flexibility and invoicing to address COVID-related increased costs, including staffing. As well, we addressed the issues for organizations without capacity within their contracts to address COVID-related increased costs. 
 
The agreed process will be focus-tested with a small group of providers today to identify any barriers in practical implementation, and we expect this communication and process to be implemented and available shortly.  
Clarity on the April 10 Public Health Order 
We continue to receive numerous questions regarding the April 10 Public Health Order (CMOH – 10-2020) .  We have created a flow chart to help clarify the order.   
Respecting employee rights

CMOH 10-2020 prohibits employers from penalizing staff (by withdrawing their employment), because they have selected another employer as their primary employer under the single site requirement. Although Part 1 of the order is not mandatory but only recommended for licensed PDD homes,  we strongly recommend that PDD organizations implementing these requirements also ensure the future employment rights of staff are respected.  
ACDS COVID-19 Contact Email
Service provider input and engagement are 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