NEWS RELEASE
FOCUS ACCREDITATION
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FOCUS Accreditation is pleased to announce that Catulpa Community Support Services has been successful in its bid to be re-accredited by FOCUS Accreditation for four years from Jan. 9, 2019 to Jan. 9, 2023.
This is the organization’s second accreditation award.
Cheryl Whiteman FOCUS Executive Director comments, “Catulpa Community Support Services has successfully achieved its second FOCUS Accreditation Award. Congratulations to the entire organization for its dedication to the principles and practices of Quality Improvement. Catulpa Community Support Services is described by stakeholders both internal and external to the organization as an inclusive, compassionate, co-operative and a collaborative organization."
FOCUS Accreditation looks at all aspects of how an organization provides services – from how people are supported to the effectiveness of the operations. FOCUS Accreditation sent a team of five people to review Catulpa Community Support Services’ services onsite, for four days.
The team observed how services were provided, reviewed data, and collected input from various people who have a stake in the services being provided.
Many strengths were identified at Catulpa Community Support Services by the FOCUS Validators:
- It is evident that persons served experience choice and flexibility in how supports are provided to them. Catulpa CSS’s staff work with persons served and their families to create plans that fit the needs and desires of the person served. These plans are very individualized and include what types of goals persons served want to set and whether or not family members are involved in the goal setting.
- Catulpa CSS produces an annual report that chronicle’s the organizational performance. This document includes success stories of persons served and their families. In addition to the annual report, Catulpa CSS has also made use of their website to share stories and celebrate successes of people supported, staff and the organization.
- It is evident that the Catulpa Board assesses its performance regularly. The board completes a self-assessment questionnaire and a board survey report every two years.
Catulpa Community Support Services is a registered nonprofit agency, founded in 1973, and serving children, youth, adults and families with special or unique needs in the County of Simcoe, Region of York, the Four Counties and Durham.
“We are pleased to accept our second four-year FOCUS Accreditation Award. This is a significant acknowledgement of our organization’s commitment to the community we support. Everyone at Catulpa CSS works hard to improve the lives of people with special needs by advocating for better services and full integration,” says Karen Hirstwood, Catulpa Community Support Services Executive Director. “We are honoured our efforts have been recognized by the FOCUS Accreditation agency.”
About Catulpa Community Support Services
Catulpa Community Support Services is a FOCUS-accredited social service agency working in partnership with people and families with special or unique needs. It provides a wide and varied range of community support services to children, youth, adults and families; all based on the needs and strengths of each person or family.
By working in partnership with people, families and community partners, Catulpa Community Support Services provides the knowledge and resources needed to help people and families make informed decisions and improve lives.
About FOCUS Accreditation
FOCUS is a non-profit accreditation agency for community service organizations. Created in Ontario, Canada, by the very people who use and work in these services, FOCUS reflects the culture and expectations of community service organizations in Ontario.
FOCUS accredits the whole organization, not just select programs within. The standards reflect best practice in the way services are provided as well as the effectiveness of how the organization operates. An organization that meets FOCUS’ standards can be viewed as an organization that focuses on the people it serves, and on high quality service delivery.
FOCUS has accredited over 48 organizations and works with over 60 community based groups. A full list of accredited organizations is on our website.
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