Sunshine Coast Community Services Society (SCCSS) has been awarded a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (known as CARF International).
“This is an important accomplishment for our organization as it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to excellence in client service,” said SCCSS board president Helen Carkner.
Accreditation guides human service organizations like SCCSS in the development and maintenance of accountability and quality improvement functions and in the delivery and continuous improvement of safe, effective and efficient services. The process demonstrates that SCCSS values the input of their clients and is accountable to the community they serve, as well as to their funders, through meeting organizational and program standards.
SCCSS has been accredited since 2005, and this is their fourth consecutive three-year accreditation award.
Jane Gladman, director of Family and Youth Services, led the SCCSS CARF Accreditation process with support from former co-executive directors Lucie McKiernan and Diana Rae. The team was also assisted by board members, direct service staff, coordinators, program managers and the administrative team.
SCCSS programs that received accreditation include Family Support and Family Preservation, Youth in Transition, Aboriginal Families Pulling Together, Special Services to Children, Children’s Counselling, Parent Tot Drop In, Child Care Resource and Referral, Infant Development Program, Supported Child Development, Bridges (Early Intervention Therapy) and Special Services Home Share program.
The CARF survey team identified many strengths within SCCSS, including board governance, leadership, technology, administration, community presence, health and safety practices, satisfaction of funders and referral agencies, and commitment of direct service staff. The complete report is posted at www.sccss.ca.
More than 223 agencies in B.C. are currently accredited by either CARF, (an independent, non-profit accreditor of health and human services) or COA (Council on Accreditation).
