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 Accreditation

RSCL Receives 3-year Accreditation Award

In April 2008, and again in April 2011, surveyors from the CARF Accrediting body came and visited the offices and programs of RSCL and awarded the three-year accreditation, the highest level. RSCL was previously surveyed in May 2005 which also resulted in being awarded the three-year level of accreditation. The following are some of their comments from the final report:

Richmond Society for Community Living demonstrates strengths in the following areas:

·         The organization demonstrates a strong commitment to the persons it serves. This is clearly visible in the staff’s conscientious and rapid response to problem solving, which ensures that issues and problems are promptly addressed as they arise. It is apparent that staffing patterns are adjusted to accommodate the desires and needs of persons served;

·         The organization has dedicated and enthusiastic professional staff members who are responsive to the needs, goals, and desires of the persons served, and there is a noticeable commitment to improving the quality of lives of persons served in becoming active participants in their communities of choice;

·         The culture of RSCL is one in which the warmth and sincerity of staff members and leadership are highly recognizable. The employees are engaged in the lives of the persons served and their families and promote successful outcomes. Individuals do not hesitate to refer friends and family to the organization because of the close-knit culture provided there;

·         RSCL enjoys a strong reputation in the community with regard to its programs; quality services provided; and the options provided to children, their families, and adults through various services throughout Richmond;

·         There appears to be an excellent rapport and mutual respect among management, staff members, board of directors, and persons served. Those individuals who were interviewed were extremely satisfied with the services and extremely complementary of staff performance, staff dedication, and the organization’s professionalism. The high level of professionalism among staff members, as well as the collaborative and respectful working conditions is evident. The longevity of most of the management staff is a strength and ensures sound knowledge of program principles and organizational values;

·         The organization’s owned and leased facilities provide a clean, pleasant, safe, attractive, and friendly environment form which to provide its services. Facilities are well maintained, and remodeling efforts, with input from persons served and staff have resulted in an environment that is accessible and conducive to interaction among persons served, staff members, and others. Noteworthy is the excellent safety program that has been developed and used in order to maintain a safe environment for persons served, personnel, and visitors.

In the following area Richmond Society for Community Living demonstrates exemplary conformance to the standards:

·         RSCL has done an exemplary and impressive job of consolidating its data collection systems, reporting systems, and performance indicators into its annual business improvement plan, which is used for continuous quality improvement in order to improve its business and program functions and operations;

·         The atmosphere created by the leadership and staff members at RSCL is one where commitment to diversity, the mission, and personal investment in the success of the persons served is paramount. This is exemplified by staff members’ ability to share information in various spoken languages (i.e., Tagalog, Punjabi, Chinese and English) and is offered in a plethora of formats with pictures and voice overs. Applications for services are available in twelve languages, the child development program brochure is available in twelve languages, the adult and children’s rights information is available in three languages and all of these and others are online. These are just a few examples of the efforts made to ensure that the local community can access services needed and are recognize as exemplary practices that could be modeled by other organizations.

Accreditation – what is it?

You may have heard the term floating around, but do you know what it is?  Here are a few frequently asked questions concerning accreditation:

What is it? 

Accreditation is a formal process of organizational development and review.  Once the process is completed, it identifies that an agency has met organizational and program/service standards of practice.  Accreditation focuses on the quality of services delivered, accountability, and overall organizational competence.

 Who will be accredited? 

As part of the BC Government’s Ministry of Children and Family Development project, all Society’s that receive funding from the Ministry, must go through this accreditation process in order to continue with their contracts.

 Why be accredited? 

It just makes sense.  Being accredited means that an agency has met international standards of practice that are developed by impartial consumers, stakeholders, professionals, and provincial and national organizations.  Being an accredited agency means that the agency provides services and programs that meet or exceed industry standards.  It makes the agency accountable for the services they provide.

 What are the benefits of accreditation? 

• Accreditation identifies organizations in which consumers can have confidence;
• Provides evidence to the community that the organization providing service has met high standards of operation;
• Identifies for private and public funders organizations that are worthy of financial support;
• Generates information upon which an effective organizational referral system can be built;
• Establishes a framework for continual organizational improvement;
• Protects the organization against pressures to lower standards.

How do you get accredited?

There are 4 stages of accreditation:

1. Application – submitted by the organization to the accreditation body;
2. Self-Survey – a mock survey done by an outside person to help the organization prepare for the real thing;
3. Site Visit – the real thing – the review and report by the accreditation body;
4. Accreditation decision – the evaluation by the accreditation body.

Accreditation Body’s provide those organizations seeking accreditation with manuals of all standards that must be met.  Organizations seeking accreditation must provide evidence that each standard is met.

 Where does Richmond Society for Community Living fit in?

RSCL was accredited by the CARF (The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities ) accreditation body and received the highest award of 3-years on May 16 – 18, 2005 and again April 14-16, 2008.  

The Accreditation process is not over.  It is an ongoing process to ensure that RSCL continues to meet the standards.  RSCL continues to work hard to maintain and to improve our society practices and to gather all evidence to support the accreditation standards.  RSCL has established many accreditation committees in order to facilitate the process.  There has been an incredible amount of support from all involved, including line staff and board members.  Accreditation can seem overwhelming, however, we at RSCL believe that it is in our best interests to continue with the accreditation ongoing process as it will only improve our programs and services and relationships with those we serve.  We understand that even the smallest things are vital to the overall competency of the organization.

 How can you help?

RSCL welcomes your input and feedback on any of our programs and services and the way we do business.  We will be sending out surveys and requesting interviews with families and friends and from the individuals we serve.  If you would like more information, please check the government website at www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/accreditation.