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September 2025: In This Issue

News and Updates

• Impact+ Webinars: Registration Now Open
• New Leadership in the Sector
• Board & Staff Updates

Program Updates

• Recently Accredited CET Level 1 and CET Level 2 Service Providers
• Upcoming and Ongoing Training Events: Register Today 
• Foundations in Community Disability Studies Course: Updated

Research and Advocacy

• Report Released: Safe, Affordable Housing

Sector News and Opportunities

• Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG): Eligible ACDS Courses
• Tariff Impacts Nonprofit Pulse Survey

Scroll down to learn more.

ACDS News and Updates

Impact+ Webinars 2025: Registration Now Open

October 27 to 31, 2025 (10 AM to noon or 2 PM to 4 PM daily)

Impact+ webinars are returning this fall with sessions focusing on sexuality awareness, mental health supports, caring for an aging population, succession planning, and resiliency in the workplace.

Each session will include an engaging presentation followed by a Q&A with expert speakers. Visit our website for additional details, including session information, schedule, speakers and more!

New Leadership in the Sector

We are pleased to welcome the following executive leaders to the CDS sector.

• Melinda Noyes, ED of Chrysalis
• Helen Pryce, CEO of Wainwright Association for Community Living
• Blayne Blackburn, CEO of Elves Society
• Sarah Dalby, CEO of L’Arche Lethbridge
• Linda Revell, CEO of Excel Society

Board & Staff Updates

We’re pleased to welcome Emily Ruttan, CEO of Winnifred Stewart, and Alexi Davis, Director at Prospect, to the ACDS Board of Directors. Emily brings expertise in sustainability, emergency management, and housing, while Alexi brings nearly two decades of experience at Prospect and a longstanding connection to ACDS through our Workforce Councils and Conference Planning Committee.

We also thank Ryan Geake and Diane Magill for completing their Board terms.

We bid farewell to ACDS staff, Susan Tally, departing ACDS after serving seven years as an Accreditation Coordinator. She will be greatly missed, and we wish her the very best in her future endeavors.

With Susan’s departure, we are recruiting for an Accreditation Coordinator to join our team. If you or someone you know is interested in supporting quality standards in the CDS sector, view the job posting here.

ACDS Program Updates

Congratulations to CET Level 1 Service Providers 

Bluefox Association

CommunityAIM – Empowering Citizens with Disabilities

Elysian Ventures Ltd.

Lac La Biche Disability Services

Marigold Enterprises Rehabilitation Services Society

Mill Woods Society for Community Living

Mira Facilitation Center 

National accessArts Centre

New Beginnings Association

Olds Association for Community Living

Regional Living Skills Association

Vegreville Association for Living in Dignity

Congratulations to CET Level 2 Service Providers

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. 

Blue Heron Support Services Association  

Edmonton Integrated Services

Leduc LINX Connect Centre

Rocky Support Services

Supported Lifestyles

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: 

• Introduction to Positive Behaviour Supports Tutor Training: October 1 to 3
• Introduction to Positive Behaviour Supports Training: November 3 to 5
• Advanced Skills in Positive Behaviour Support Training: December 1 to 3

Foundations in Community Disability Studies Course Updated

The Mentor-led Foundations in Community Disability Studies course has been refreshed with simplified content, visual orientation guides, micro-learning components, and improved accessibility features. Updates include fillable checklists, reorganized reference materials, and fixes to broken links, supporting a smoother learning experience, especially for learners with English as a second language.  

Research and Advocacy

Report Released: Safe, Affordable Housing: Recommendations to Address the Housing Crisis for Albertans with Developmental Disabilities

ACDS has released recommendations to address the housing crisis, including improved policy, partnerships, funding, and housing approaches. The report outlines guiding principles for community-based housing and reflects input from self-advocates, member surveys, and the ACDS Housing Task Team. The full report and executive summary are also available in plain language on our website.

Additional Sector News and Resources

Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG): Eligible ACDS Courses

The Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG) opened in September 2025, offering up to $10,000 per trainee per year to enhance employee productivity through targeted skills training. Organizations in the Community Disability Services sector can benefit from this funding.

Several ACDS courses meet CAPG eligibility requirements. We’ve prepared a summary document outlining these courses and how they meet the grant’s criteria.

Some information from ACDS is required when applying. Request details to support your application at training@acds.ca.

Tariff Impacts Nonprofit Pulse Survey

The Nonprofit Chamber is advocating for Alberta nonprofits to be included in federal tariff relief programs. To strengthen this effort, they’re gathering data on tariff-related cost pressures nonprofits are facing or expect to face over the next 12 months.

Please fill out this quick 1-minute survey to help quantify the impact and support the case for relief.

Not yet an ACDS Member?

Discover how ACDS membership can support your organization with advocacy, training, sector resources, and more. Learn more about membership benefits and how to apply today.