Accreditation is a process by which nationally approved and adopted standards of practice are measured against the practice of an organization. In Alberta, accreditation is a requirement of all organizations funded by Alberta Child & Family Services (Child Welfare). Dependent upon the type of program, the accreditation audit / review determines the level of compliance of policies, procedures, data management, health and safety, ethics, treatment programming and other integral components to service delivery.
In AARC's circumstances, our Day Treatment Program was measured against over 185 standards of practice while our Recovery Home (residential) Program was audited against over 190 standards. At present, both our Recovery Homes and Day Treatment programs are accredited at the level of excellence and given a four-year term by the Canadian Accreditation Council of Human Services (www.cacohs.com). This non-profit organization has worked with community organizations like AARC for over twenty years.
The accreditation process is an extremely detailed one and includes a stringent examination of policies and procedures as well as an on-site review of compliance to standards via employee, client and family, management and board interviews, file reviews and quality assurance reviews. AARC maintains a dedication to our youth and families by voluntarily going through the process of accreditation - it is not a requirement for our organization but rather a dedicated and concerted demonstration of our commitment to excellence. This ensures both internal and external accountability for our treatment program and processes while assuring that transparency and willingness to meet national standards is recognized.
Organization
Board of Directors| M. Ann McCaig (Chair)
Chancellor Emeritus, University of Calgary Past-Chair, The Calgary Foundation |
F. Dean Vause, PhD.
Executive Director Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre |
| Larry Delf (Vice-Chair)
Senior VP & Director Business Development Cushman & Wakefield Lepage Inc. |
Dennis Feuchuk
President & CEO Base Resources Inc. |
| Jan Brenneman Consultant | Don Copeland Consultant |
| Dr. Alan Stanhope Physician | Ken Wilson
Sr. Vice President Coril Holdings Ltd. |
| Richard Hotchkiss
President & CEO Sunwest Aviation Ltd. |
Donna Remington Consultant |
Day to day operation of the Society is the responsibility of the Executive Director, who is appointed by the Board of Directors.
| F. Dean Vause
PhD Philosophy, Educational Psychology Executive Director |
Natalie Imbach
BA Psychology, MSc Marriage and Family Therapy Markin Centre Clinical Director |
| Colin Brown
BA, MSc Marriage and Family Therapy Ann McCaig Centre Clinical Director |
Joan Topilko
RN, Addictions Certificate AARC Family Therapist |
| Jackie Smith
RN, BN in Community Health AARC Family Therapist |
Mark Rukin Clinical Counselor |
| Chad Von Hagen Clinical Counselor | Ann Collin Clinical Support |
| Donna Edwards Director of Development | Sheryl Millholland Director of Finance |
| Marcia Maluta Finance Officer | Liz Smith Events Coordinator |
| Kristen Mason Events Assistant | Abbi O'Flynn Community Support Liaison |
| Hazel McAndrew Chef | Jack Smith Property Manager |
| Donna Price Teacher | Irene Grabner Teacher |
| Lori Hogg
MSc., MD, FRCP Consulting Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist |
Peter Choate
MSW, RSW Clinical Social Worker |
| Alan Stanhope
MD, MB, BS, LMCC AARC Physician |
Dan Botha
MD, MBA AARC Physician |
AARC has established a very successful partnership with the Calgary Board of Education (CBE). Together AARC and the CBE operate a year round, fully equipped classroom, including two full time teachers and access to all the specialized resources of the CBE.
AARC Learning CentreThe Learning Centre at AARC is a satellite classroom of the Calgary Board of Education's Alternative High School. Teaching staff in the classroom are supported administratively and professionally by Alternative. Each school year, the teachers at AARC access a variety of professional development opportunities provided by the CBE and the Alberta Teacher's Association including three professional development days at Alternative and the annual Calgary City Teachers' Convention.
Alternative High supplements the AARC students' learning with access to instructional resources and opportunities to go on field trips and listen to guest speakers. Many students transitioning from AARC to regular education settings choose to attend Alternative High after leaving the AARC program. The staff and student body at Alternative welcome the AARC clients openly as their foundation is centered on belonging, respect for others, and democracy.
In 2008 AARC received the Calgary Mayor's Excellence Award from the Calgary Educational Partnership Foundation.
- Supporting new clients and families in their recovery from addiction.
- Fund raising, building and grounds projects, and Board of Directors and committee work.
- Telling the story of AARC's success to other people and organizations that support AARC in many different ways.
- Carrying their message of strength, hope and experience to other families who can use AARC's unique services.
- Alumni Education Assistance Program for education of AARC graduates.
- Annual Homecoming celebration.
- Bi-weekly men's and ladies group meetings to provide on-going support for all graduated AARC families.
- Supporting AARC's Community Projects Initiative that delivers programs on addiction and recovery in the community.
Click here to visit the AARC Alumni website.
