July 10 COVID-19 Update
This message includes

  • Resources to Support the Sector Relaunch 
  • CSS Weekly Q&A
  • CSS Minister Sawhney's Disability Advisory Forum
  • Bill 32: Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act 
Resources to Support the Sector Relaunch 
ACDS Return to Office Guidelines:  ACDS has made our return to office guidelines publicly available as an example for any organization that is planning their own return to the office. This document includes new protocols and best practices. 
 
Reopening Community Access Programs Tool (Updated June 10):   This tool will assist organizations with risk assessment and planning for reopening day programs. We continue to update this document as new information becomes available, including any guidance or restrictions issued by Community and Social Services (CSS) or Alberta Health. 
 
IntegralOrg COVID-19 Recovery Checklist for Nonprofits and Charities :   This resource will assist nonprofit organizations to identify current and future needs in the recovery phase.


  CSS Weekly Q&A  
Read CSS’ latest Q&A, released yesterday. Please continue to submit any questions that CSS can address via their weekly Q&A as the relaunch progresses either  to us , or to your regional chairs. 

All previous CSS Q&A documents are posted on our website. 
CSS Minister Sawhney’s Disability Advisory Forum 
On July 6, Minister Sawhney and senior Community and Social Services (CSS) staff consulted with a small group of academics and researchers including Nilima Sonpal-Valias, ACDS Director of Strategic Services and Stakeholder Engagement, to discuss challenges and opportunities in PDD, FSCD, AISH and Income Supports. 

The Ministry shared data describing program pressures arising from caseload and expenditure growth in each of these programs, and the added challenges due to Alberta’s pre- and post-Covid fiscal context. The forum was an open dialogue on system transformation options to achieve positive outcomes for Albertans with disabilities, while better managing the fiscal and program pressures. Researchers were invited to share their learnings and evidence-based insights that may help provide short- and long-term policy solutions. The conversation included discussing the shared roles and responsibilities of government, civil society, and other partners to achieve sustainable solutions.
  Bill 32, the Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act  
Bill 32 was introduced in the Legislature on July 7 and is currently being debated. If passed, the Restoring Balance in Alberta's Workplaces Act will impact various aspects of employment standards and legislation, such as overtime, termination and layoffs, and averaging agreements.  
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