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March 2026: In This Issue

News and Updates

• Impact 2026: Register Today
• Welcoming New Members
• Welcoming New Leaders to the Sector
• ACDS Strategic Plan 2026-2029

Program Updates

• Recently Accredited CET Level 1 and CET Level 2 Service Providers
• Upcoming and Ongoing Training Events: Register Today 
• AI Toolkit for Disability Service Providers

Additional Sector News and Resources

• Alberta Disability Assistance Program: Updates 
• PDD Funding Review
• Budget 2026

Scroll down to learn more.

News and Updates

Impact 2026: Register Today

May 27 to 28, 2026

Registration for Impact 2026—the ACDS Annual Conference—opened earlier this month. 

The 38th ACDS annual conference will take place May 27 to May 28, 2026, at the River Cree Resort & Casino in Edmonton, Alberta. This year’s event will build on last year’s sold-out conference to offer you an exciting, dynamic space for networking and learning, with a terrific lineup of speakers presenting on topics relevant to community disability services.

Register today to benefit from the early bird rate and secure your spot at Impact 2026! The deadline for early bird registration is April 17.  

ACDS Strategic Plan 2026-2029

The ACDS Strategic Plan 2026–2029 was launched in January 2026. The plan sets a clear framework to help ACDS build a strong foundation to support and advance the Community Disability Services sector—now and well into the future. The new strategic goals identified in the plan position us to respond effectively to both current realities and emerging challenges facing the sector.

New Leadership in the Sector

We are pleased to welcome the following executive leader to the CDS sector:

• Rachel Foley, CEO of YWCA Edmonton

New ACDS Members

We are pleased to welcome the following service provider as a new ACDS member:

• CarePros

Program Updates

Congratulations to CET Level 1 Service Providers 

Angel Care Home Health Services Inc.

Camrose Association for Community Living (CAFCL)

Centra Cam Vocational Training Association

Columbia Training Center

Edenbridge Family Services Inc

kcs Association

Larche Lethbridge

Peak Support Services

Quest Support Services

Southern Alberta Community Living Association (SACLA)

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. 

Key Supports Services 

Living Independently for Equality (LIFE) 

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: 

• Workplace Investigation Training for CDS Professionals: April 28 to April 29

AI Toolkit for Disability Service Providers

ACDS has a toolkit to help disability service providers navigate the safe, ethical, and effective use of artificial intelligence in their organizations. The toolkit provides a practical framework to guide decision-making, shape policy, and ensure AI use reflects organizational values and legal obligations.

Cost

• ACDS Members: $30.00 + GST
• ACDS Associate Members & Non-Members: $45.00 + GST

In addition to the AI toolkit, the purchase includes access to the recorded webinar The Future Is Now: Embracing AI in the Social Services Sector, hosted by ACDS, along with the accompanying presentation slides.

Additional Sector News and Resources

Alberta Disability Assistance Program: Updates 

On March 9, the Alberta government announced some welcome updates to the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) that will positively impact individuals with developmental disabilities by offering more choice in accessing income and employment supports.

The updates follow critical feedback provided by stakeholders through the government’s consultation process on this program and address some of the concerns raised around employment income exemption and transitions to ADAP. Thank you to the service providers that engaged in the roundtable discussions.

PDD Funding Review

The work on Phase 1 of the PDD funding review, comprising internal review of documents and current state, continues as planned until the end of March. The ACDS Board of Directors met with the consulting firm coordinating this project to discuss the review process, make recommendations to engage the sector in the review, and offer initial service provider perspectives. The engagement with service providers and other stakeholders is intended to start in the new fiscal year.

Budget 2026

The 2026-2027 budget was released on February 26, 2026, and reflects a significant deficit. Although there are no reductions to Disability Services, the budget does not address increasing costs and service demand for services and service providers. The budget does include costs related to the implementation of ADAP.

ACDS has prepared a comprehensive analysis of the implications of the budget for the CDS sector to be shared with members next week in the monthly CEO/Director Update.