Accreditation and certification are formal processes that confirm an agency has met international service standards developed by consumers, stakeholders and provincial and national organizations. Accreditation focuses on service quality, accountability, and overall organizational competence by demonstrating i) the accredited organization has achieved an appropriate level of organizational competence, and ii) has mechanisms in place to continually improve the quality of services it delivers.

In Alberta, our programs for persons with developmental disabilities are certified with the Alberta Council of Disability Services and our youth and family programs are accredited with the Canadian Accreditation Council of Human Services.

 

 

 

All government-funded programs in British Columbia are accredited by CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities). All group residential programs comply with the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and Regulations.

 

 

 

In Ontario, our custody facilities are subject to annual compliance reviews by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services that incorporate all the same elements as accreditation.

 

 

Why do accreditation and certification matter? 

Accreditation and certification mean that WJS meets provincial and international standards and incorporates best practices into management and programming. They recognize WJS employees as professionals in their respective fields and, most importantly, they offer the people we serve and their families the assurance that the services they receive from WJS are of the highest calibre.