Alberta Council of Disability Services (ACDS)
160-3015 12 ST NE T2E 7J2 Calgary, AB, Canada

"The Community Services Staff Safety Initiative is an important set of tools and resources to move the sector forward in recognizing the importance of health and safety in the workplace, and recognizing that when we all work together to create safe, healthy environments, then both individuals, employees, families and children thrive in those environments and can grow and reach their full potential." - Andrea Hesse, ACDS CEO Visit our website to learn more about CSSSI https://acds.ca/work/workforce-health-and-safety/CSSSI.html

ACDS is a not-for-profit network of Community Disability Services (CDS) sector organizations in Alberta. Our member-driven organization works closely with the Government of Alberta and other partners, to strengthen the CDS sector to benefit Albertans with developmental disabilities. Learn more about us here: http://ow.ly/58Qi50DrG4b

On behalf of ACDS, ALIGN, and the Government of Alberta ministries of Children's Services and Community and Social Services, we are pleased to share the resources available through the Community Services Staff Safety Initiative (CSSSI); an initiative to increase staff safety and reduce harassment and violence in community service workplaces in Alberta. Visit this page, and watch the video to learn more about CSSSI: https://aasp.ca/community-services-staff-safety-initiative/

Have you downloaded the ACDS Safety Toolkit App? It provides information and resources to strengthen the health and safety of staff within the CDS sector in Alberta, all in one place: https://acds.ca/workforce/acds-safety-toolkit-app.html

ACDS wishes you all a happy and restful holiday season. Please note, our office will be closing today, December 18, at 4:00pm, and reopening January 4th.

ACDS is recognizing staff from the Community Disability Services sector for outstanding work during COVID-19. Maryl Daloos and Arlene Quinones: Calgary Society for Persons with Disabilities (CSPD) Celebrated for: Exceeding expectations, and keeping individuals with disabilities motivated, engaged, and stimulated during the pandemic. ... CSPD has taken to instituting activities and various contests to ensure that individuals are enjoying their time and loving every minute of it. Maryl Daloos and Arlene Quinones have made several videos of their actions including utterly amazing yard creations, heartfelt and touching gratitude projects, indoor flower gardens, costume making, and participating whole heartedly in every contest or activity put forth. They have made a world of difference to the individuals that they support. Many of their endeavours can also be seen on CSPD’s FB page. Thank you, Maryl and Arlene!

The executive summary for our report "Impact and Insights: COVID-19 and Alberta's CDS sector" is now available. The information in the report is based on what we heard from March to the end of September 2020 through our participation in various provincial and regional forums, and from individual communications. Data sources number well into the hundreds, and include meeting minutes and notes; copies of emails sent by agencies or networks; regional pulse-check surveys, and em...ails or notes of conversations with service providers and government officers. Read it here: https://acds.ca//impact-and-insights-covid-19-a/index.html

ACDS is currently collecting information from our member organizations for the 2020 Workforce Survey. Since 2009, ACDS' Annual Workforce Surveys have provided vital information about Alberta’s Community Disability Services (CDS) sector workforce. The ACDS 2019 Workforce Survey was an essential part of our advocacy work this year to support the CDS sector workforce during the pandemic. View the 2019 Workforce Report summary here: https://acds.ca//Workforce/2019%20Workforce%20One-pager%20

ACDS is proud of the effective advocacy we’ve engaged in to support our sector through the pandemic crisis. This comprehensive timeline details ACDS’ advocacy efforts at every stage of the crisis, from March through the end of October. https://acds.ca//Advo/COVID-Advocacy-Timeline-Oct-2020.pdf

On June 10, the Government of Alberta issued a notice to select AUPE members and guardians of individuals with developmental disabilities, regarding the government’s exploration of alternative service delivery for individuals currently served in public institutions. In related discussions, and media stories, there have been troubling misperceptions shared regarding the nature of contracted, community-based disability service delivery. ACDS wishes to correct misperceptions regarding the nature of contracted, community-based disability service delivery. Read the full statement from Andrea Hesse, CEO: https://acds.ca//Addressing-misperceptions-about-community