STANDARDS
Our current version of the Standards has
evolved from a rich history of more than 30 years in
partnership with individuals, groups of like-minded
programs, and human services organizations. Since the
release of the first version of standards, they have been
developed, revisited, revised and are continually evolving
in order to provide the most current best practice. It is
important to us that as the world changes around us to
embrace new standards in excellence, we continue to grow and
change to reflect those in our standards. In doing so, we
have continued to remain true to our history of community
involvement as well as grass-roots wisdom and experience.
CAC also continues its commitment of working with people
from the Aboriginal communities to enhance programming,
through the process of accreditation. Standards supporting
the on-going learning about Aboriginal history and culture,
access to Aboriginal Resource People and providing positive
role models through recruiting and retaining Aboriginal
staff were first introduced in the 1999 version of Standards
and remain imbedded in the subsequent versions. CAC has also
incorporated the guiding values of the Touchstones of Hope
in the current version of the Standards, and have made it
our intent to ensure that it will play a role in assisting
organizations to better offer programming to Aboriginal
children, youth, adults and families.
The current Program Specific Standards have also broadened
to include a wider range of programs, reflective of our
evolution from focusing solely on accrediting programs
supporting children, youth and families within the realm of
child welfare to a wider focus that includes programs that
are outside of child welfare and to services for adults. The
Optional Designations were also created to allow programs to
be recognized within their areas of specialty. Another
change that has been made in the current standards is that
many programs have been developed as one of a number of
programs or as a larger focus to provide for 'wraparound'
services. As such, the model we have been using conceptually
to develop this set of standards has been a model that
recognizes a continuum of services that range from brad
based community awareness program through to intensive
treatment program offered within locked settings to a very
specialized group of people.
CAC recognizes that organizations range in size and
complexity. Some organizations offer singe programs and
other offer multiple programs, some of which use the same
staff, contractors and volunteers to provide services in
more than one program area. CAC also knows that people
seeking services may choose to access only one service or
program or may access several programs within a single
organization or multiple organizations, over a period of
time, as their need for services either increases or
decreases in intensity. Programs, then, may choose to have a
program accredited using a single program designation or
multiple designations. In addition, specific programs may
choose one or more of the optional program designations.
The current version of Standards are the cumulative result
of hundreds of verbal and written comments from Reviewers,
persons served, staff, volunteers, contractors within
organizations, CAC Accreditation Panel, Board of Directors,
committee members as well as individuals in government
ministries, Child and Family Service Authorities, Designated
First Nations Authorities, and advocacy groups. They have
also incorporated reviews of best practice literature,
reviews of accreditation standards from multiple sectors and
a wide consultation and feedback process.
The creation of new Standards and the revision of existing
Standards are a continuous process that is impacted by
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Ongoing consultation with
stakeholders |
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Outcomes or responsiveness of
persons served |
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Ongoing Research |
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Increased knowledge of effective
practice |
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Changes in legislation and government
policy |
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Societal demands for greater
accountability |
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This ongoing evolution of the documents
allows us to provide the best standards possible to meet the
needs of an ever-changing sector and world, and allow us to
provide you with the best benchmark for excellence possible.
If you are interested in learning more about our Standards
or would like to review a copy of the Standards yourself,
please email Leigh-Ann at
lthomas@cacohs.com
with your request and she can send you a copy of the version
of the current Standards. You may also download a copy of
How to
Read the Standards here. |
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