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June 2026: In This Issue

News and Updates

• ACDS Annual Report 2025-2026
• Impact 2026: Wrap Up
• ACDS Survey 2025: Workforce Distribution, Turnover, and Wages
• Welcoming New Leaders to the Sector

Program Updates

• Recently Accredited CET Level 1 and CET Level 2 Service Providers
• Upcoming and Ongoing Training Events: Register Today 
• AI Toolkit for Disability Service Providers

Additional Sector News and Resources

• Alberta Disability Assistance Program: Updates 
• Changes to Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Grant
• PDD Funding Model Review

Scroll down to learn more.

News and Updates

ACDS Annual Report 2025-2026

The ACDS 2025-2026 Annual Report was presented to our members during the Annual General Meeting on June 25, 2026. The report highlights a year of purposeful action toward positioning the Community Disability Services (CDS) sector for a stronger, more resilient future. 

Thank you to our members for your continued support and the valuable contributions highlighted in this report.

Impact 2026: Wrap Up

A sincere thank you to everyone who attended, presented at, or supported their staff to take part in the learning, exploration, connection, and fun at Impact 2026. This year's event marked another highly successful, sold-out conference for ACDS.

With more than 450 enthusiastic attendees gathering to share insights, 30 diverse and impactful sessions, and the invaluable support of 23 sponsors and exhibitors, the conference was an exceptionally rich, collaborative, and memorable experience for our community.

ACDS Survey 2025: Workforce Distribution, Turnover, and Wages

We recently released the ACDS Survey 2025 report, providing updated sector statistics on wages, turnover, and workforce distribution across 61 member organizations representing over 10,800 employees. The report also highlights emerging sector leaders and top organizational workforce concerns.

ACDS members can access the full report via the member portal, and a five-page summary infographic is publicly available on the ACDS website.

New Leadership in the Sector

We are pleased to welcome the following executive leaders to the CDS sector:

• Josh Hudson, ED of REDI Enterprises
• Rhonda Longson, ED of Wheat Country Special Needs Society (WCSNS)
• Keith Kristalovich, CEO of SACLA
• Kristen Ainscough, ED of Ability Resource

Program Updates

Congratulations to CET Level 1 Service Providers 

Beehive Support Services Association

Bright Hope Support Services Inc.

Elves Special Needs Society

Falher Friendship Corner Association

Health Care Homes

HeARTH Social Profit Company

Jasper Community Outreach

L'Arche Edmonton

Padnoma Support Services

Robin Hood Association For The Handicapped

Signature Support Services Society

Southern Alberta Society for the Handicapped (SASH

Special Development Unit

Training and Development 

ACDS offers several courses and other learning opportunities to disability organizations and staff, giving them the knowledge and tools to provide quality support to individuals with developmental disabilities.

These courses are designed for leaders and frontline staff working in the disability sector and are available to members and non-members. Many courses are relevant to and may be of interest to staff and organizations outside of Alberta.

Online Training 

Ongoing courses can be completed and started at a learner's own pace. 

You can now register for the following self-paced online trainings directly through Moodle to receive immediate access upon payment. Both individual learners and organization contacts can register, pay, and access the courses instantly.

• Facilitating Meaningful Change with Outcomes
• From Community Presence to Community Inclusion
• Fundamentals of Mentoring
• Outcomes Training
• Quality Supports, Safe Staff

Instructor-Led Virtual Training 

View the listing of upcoming training, including: 

• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) No Holds Training: July 7 to 8
• Crisis Prevention Training (SIVA): July 21 to 22
• Introduction to Positive Behaviour Supports Tutor Training: August 4 to 6
• Introduction to Positive Behaviour Supports Training: August 24 to 26
• Crisis Prevention Training (SIVA) with Emergency Safety Interventions (ESI): September 1 to 2
• Foundations in Community Disability Studies Tutor Training: September 3 to 18
• Advanced Skills in Positive Behaviour Supports Training: : September 8 to 10

AI Toolkit for Disability Service Providers

ACDS has a toolkit to help disability service providers navigate the safe, ethical, and effective use of artificial intelligence in their organizations. The toolkit provides a practical framework to guide decision-making, shape policy, and ensure AI use reflects organizational values and legal obligations.

Cost

• ACDS Members: $30.00 + GST
• ACDS Associate Members: $38.00 GST
• Non-Members: $45.00 + GST

In addition to the AI toolkit, the purchase includes access to the recorded webinar The Future Is Now: Embracing AI in the Social Services Sector, hosted by ACDS, along with the accompanying presentation slides.

Additional Sector News and Resources

Alberta Disability Assistance Program: Updates 

On May 12, the Government of Alberta has released further details regarding the upcoming July launch of the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP). Key updates include a core monthly benefit of $1,740, a $200 monthly transition benefit for qualifying AISH clients until late 2027, and expanded employment and spousal pension income exemptions.

Changes to Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Grant

The Government of Alberta has reintroduced the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) as the CIP Organizational Development and Collaboration (ODC) Grant. Refocused to improve funding access for a wider range of non-profits, the updated program now features two distinct funding categories: one to help individual organizations strengthen internal capacity, and another to foster collaborative, sector-wide sustainability efforts.

PDD Funding Model Review

Service providers are actively engaging in the PDD funding model review, which is currently in the data collection phase. ACDS also continues to engage in this review process on the sector’s behalf, while supporting members to engage individually. Towards this, we recently engaged a select group of ACDS members to work with our Board of Directors to define our shared vision, values, and priorities for PDD supports. Establishing this common ground is essential as we move forward in this important process.