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January 2025: In This Issue

ACDS News and Updates

• Impact+ 2025 Conference: Call for Proposals, Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities, May 28 - 29, 2025
• 2024: A Year in Review  

ACDS Program Updates

• Recently Accredited CET Level 1 and CET Level 2 Service Providers
• Upcoming and Ongoing Training Events: Register today 
• In-Person Surveyor Training 

ACDS Advocacy and Research

• Sector Scanner 2024 

Keep scrolling to learn more.

ACDS News and Updates

Impact 2025: Call for Proposals, Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities

There are less than 2 days left to submit a presenter proposal for Impact 2025, the ACDS annual conference. This year’s conference will take place from May 28 to May 29, 2025, at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino in Calgary, Alberta. If you have any innovative practices or insights to share, please submit your proposal by the end of the day on January 17. 

Interested in showcasing your organization? Explore sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities to connect with leaders and decision-makers from the community disability services sector. Silver Sponsors and above receive complimentary exhibitor booths. 

For questions related to the conference, contact acdsconference@acds.ca 

2024: A Year in Review

In 2025, the ACDS team looks forward to building on our accomplishments of the past annual year to strengthen and advance the Community Disability Services (CDS) sector. 

2024 highlights include: 

• The release of critical research and briefs to further our advocacy for the sector including: Sector Scanner 2023, The Chronic Wage Issue Advocacy Brief, the Annual ACDS Survey, and the Canada-Alberta Job Grant Advocacy Brief. 
• Coordinating 72 Creating Excellence Together (CET) surveys, including surveys for organizations achieving accreditation at Levels 1 and 2, additional designations and New Services. 
• Delivering: 
• 17 instructor-led training sessions tailored to meet sector-specific needs. 
• Newly developed courses including the Workplace Investigation Training, Instructor-led Advanced Skills in PBS, Mandt Training Without Physical Restraint course, and Career and Employment Inclusion Training.
• 6 Impact+ Webinars addressing critical topics like emergency preparedness and trauma-informed care, drawing strong engagement with a total of 230 attendees.
• The sold-out Impact 2024 Conference, welcoming 450 participants for two days of learning, networking, and celebration.
• Introducing initiatives to facilitate learning and connections between sector leaders, including the monthly Leadership Lounge.
• Advancing Blueprint CDS: A Comprehensive Workforce Strategy for Community Disability Services.
• And so much more.

Through these efforts, ACDS continues to advance its mission to strengthen the CDS sector and support its workforce. We look forward to building on these accomplishments in the coming year. 

ACDS Program Updates

Congratulations to CET Level 1 Service Providers 

Ability Resource Association

Advocate Community Resources

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

Calgary Society of Community Opportunities (CSCO)

Calgary Society Persons with Disabilities (CSPD)

Clients Ongoing Rehab & Equality Association (CORE)

Empowering Citizens for Health & Opportunity Society (ECHOS)

Foothills Advocacy in Motion Society (FAIM)

Horizons Training Centre

Independent Advocacy 2010 Inc.

Lifestyle Choices Support Society (LCSS)

Michener Services

Providing Residential Options and Services (PROS)

Transitions Rehabilitation Association of St. Albert and District

Congratulations to CET Level 2 Service Provider

We are pleased to announce that the following organizations 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. 

Care Human Services

Chrysalis – Calgary

Chrysalis – Edmonton

Focus Society for Support Services

Lacombe Action Group

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 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 can be completed and started at a learner's own pace. 

Instructor-Led Virtual Training 

View the listing of upcoming training, including: 

• Advanced Skills in Positive Behavior Support Training: January 20
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) No Holds Training: January 28
• Introduction to Positive Behavior Supports Training: February 3
• Introduction to Positive Behavior Supports Tutor Training: March 3
• Foundations in Community Disability Studies Tutor Training: March 20

Surveyor Training (In-Person; Edmonton) 

January 27 to 28, 2025 (9 am to 5 pm) 

Designed for individuals aiming to become surveyors under the new CET Framework. It includes an online standards course, followed by two days of facilitator-led sessions. The online course must be completed prior to attending the in-person training, as it is a mandatory requirement for all surveyors to continue working under the updated CET framework and standards.

Fees: $50 + GST per learner 

ACDS Advocacy and Research

Sector Scanner 2024 Report Now Available

Sector Scanner 2024: Cascading Challenges is now available on the ACDS website. The Sector Scanner is a data source of sector leaders' perspectives on the most pressing challenges currently facing the CDS sector, as well as a forecast for potential forthcoming issues. This year's report highlights the ongoing and interrelated impacts of multiple issues affecting the CDS sector, including insufficient funding, low wages, employee burnout, inflationary pressures, and PDD's continued "critical and urgent" referral criterion. 

Thank you to the 71 organizations, who contributed to the survey informing this report. Your participation ensures that we can present accurate and meaningful insights to support the sector.