ADWA

Alberta Disability Workers Association

E-Bulletin
For January 8, 2013
More than Two Feet and a Heart Beat.

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Submitted by the Alberta Disability Workforce Certification Project A new group in Alberta has started developing a certification process that will establish a professional identity for workers in the community disability services sector and bring a host of benefits in its wake. The initiative is intended to address long standing workforce issues addressed in an article in the Journal on Developmental Disabilities entitled Two Feet and a Heart Beat: The Canadian Professional Identity Crisis in Community Disability Services. The phrase two feet and heart beat was used somewhat tongue in cheek by service providers to describe the qualifications they would be willing to accept when faced with the daunting task of finding staff. Keeping staff is equally difficult. Research conducted by the Alberta Council of Disability Services (ACDS) in 2011revealed that the staff turnover rate in its sector was over 20 percent, with one region of Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) reporting turnover as high as 26 percent. Researchers surveyed 35 agencies representing 4,722 staff and found that 39 percent of employees had high school education or less and 25 percent had been with their current organization for 10 months or less. The Alberta Disability Workers Association (ADWA) along with colleges, Providers, PDD, Workforce Council have teamed up to establish a certification process that will identify and standardize the competencies of this workforce. The Alberta Disability Workforce Certification Project is co-chaired by ADWA and ACDS, The project builds on the Workforce Classification System Core and job-specific competencies have been developed and validated for each of the six Workforce Classification System positions: Community Disability Services Worker Community Disability Services Practitioner Team Leader Coordinator Specialist/Consultant Director The next step is to determine how competencies within each of the six positions can be met. It is anticipated that competences will be met in several ways: academic credentials such as a post-secondary certificate, diploma or a degree; informal training such as in-service training provided by service providers; Foundations training provided by ACDS; knowledge and abilities gained through work experience. When the criteria for certification within each position have been established, a pilot project will be conducted to test and evaluate the certification process. Once the process is completed, workers will be able to have their qualifications assessed by ADWA and be certified for one or more of the Workforce Classification System positions.

Alberta Disability Workers Association E-Bulletin for January 8, 2013

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What will certification provide? For workers and learners: a professional identity; a clear career path; recognition of experience within the sector; recognition of academic credentials (post-secondary certificates, diplomas and degrees); and recognition of informal learning (training provided by organizations and employers) For agencies: a staff complement with clearly identified competencies ; a framework to assist in career development and planning; and cost savings as the need to retrain staff who move within the field is eliminated. For individuals and families: qualified staff who will ensure safety and security for the individual while promoting a life of meaning, belonging, and contribution. For funders: a stable workforce that is qualified to meet contractual outcomes; and a workforce that understands the balance between providing safety and security while promoting full and inclusive lives for people with disabilities . For post-secondary institutions: clear direction for curriculum development and student preparation. While it is expected that it will take three years before employees can apply to be certified, they are encouraged to continue taking courses and accessing professional development training and to prepare for certification by developing a professional portfolio. Service providers can assist by developing a list of internal training provided, including learning outcomes, assessment and training hours. This will assist in having agency training recognized in the certification process. You can learn more about the Alberta Council of Disability Services by visiting its website at acds.ca. The Alberta Disability Workers Association is a registered, non-profit association formed in June 2010 to professionalize the industry. Learn more at http://www.albertadisabilityworkers.org/ The article Two Feet and a Heart Beat: The Canadian Professional Identity Crisis in Community Disability Services is by Cheryl Crocker and Susan Cran and can be found at http://www.oadd.org/docs/41008_JoDD_16-3_6067_crockercran.pdf

MISSION:

To build a valued workforce, promoting the well-being and potential of all Albertans

ADWA Board
E Mail: Phone: Fax: Mail: Web: albertadisabilityworkers@gmail.com 780-646-6143 780.645.1885 4637-45 Ave. St. Paul, Alberta T0A -3A3 www.albertadisabilityworkers.org

Alberta Disability Workers Association E-Bulletin for January 8, 2013

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