Developmental disabilities can affect cognitive, behavioural, or psychosocial functioning. Types of developmental disabilities include Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Intellectual Disability, and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
These standards are intended for organizations providing programs and services across the continuum of community services for children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities, and their families. The diverse range of community services needed to maximize the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities includes prevention, early identification, education, developmental skill building, behaviour management; and social, vocational, housing, and residential supports.
Accreditation Canada's sector and service-based standards help organizations assess quality at the point of service delivery. They are based upon five key elements1 of service excellence: clinical leadership, people, process, information, and performance.
The Developmental Disabilities Standards contain the following sections:
- Investing in developmental disabilities services
- Engaging prepared and proactive staff
- Providing safe and appropriate services
- Maintaining accessible and efficient clinical information systems
- Monitoring quality and achieving positive outcomes
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Nelson et al, "Microsystems in Healthcare: Part 1: Learning from High-Performing Front-Line Clinical Units," Joint Commission Journal on Quality Improvement. September (2002): 472-493. |