Since its inception in 1954, the Society has endeavored to promote the inclusion of the citizens of Chilliwack who have a developmental disability into the fabric of community life. The Society began because a number of parents had a strong desire to develop resources in the community for their children with special needs. As a result, the Society was formed and registered under the Societies Act of British Columbia in January, 1954 making it one of the first agencies in the province formed for this purpose.
In its formative years, the primary focus was a school for children since the provincial government had no mandate to provide an education for children with special needs. As the first children attending the school became adults, the Society increased its services to include the Occupational Center. In 1962 our Society, in a Federal Pilot Project, opened the Sunshine Drive Hostel. This was the first respite care option to be offered in the province of BC outside of the institutions (Glendale, Woodlands and Tranquille) and was seen as extremely innovative.
Over the years the Society's programs and services have expanded and now include a wide variety of supports to individuals of all ages who have developmental disabilities.
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities ("CARF") is an independent, non-profit organization that reviews and grants accreditation services nationally and internationally on request of a facility or program. Their standards are rigorous, so those services that meet them are among the best available.
In May 2008 CSCL received its second consecutive 3-year accreditation from CARF Canada. This is CARF's highest award. It means that we satisfy each of the CARF Accreditation Conditions, demonstrate substantial conformance to the standards, and use continuous quality improvement practices.
What are we know for? The Society has also pioneered the development of an array of self help and vocational options for those individuals who did not experience institutionalization and have lived in community all of their lives. It is these experiences and the knowledge gained, combined with significant social policy supporting the integration of children and adults that we are able to be innovative in meeting individual's needs, even within existing group structures.
Our Staff:
Have the ability to meet individualized physical, health, behavioural and employment support needs.
Have a commitment to professional development.
Participate provincially in partnering with provincial and community living organizations.
Have participated in been pilot sites/pilot projects to develop support methods and curriculum.
Are creative and innovative in service development.
The CSCL has approximately 100 members (this may vary slightly from one year to the next) and holds its Annual General Meeting ("AGM") in late May. Membership fees are $1.00 annually and allow eligible members to vote in the Society's business at the AGM. The Board of Directors is elected by the general membership at the AGM and Executive Officers are elected by the Board of Directors at its first regular meeting following the AGM.
Quality services should reflect the opinions and views of the membership. As a result, the Society relies heavily on its membership for input and direction. It is important for all individuals receiving support and their families to have a voice in the organization. While the Society circulates surveys and questionnaires and holds forums to assist with specific issues, it is still critical that it have a strong and diverse membership in order to ensure all perspectives are heard and considered.
Members are encouraged to communicate with the Society regarding services whenever they feel the need to.
The CSCL welcomes anyone interested in becoming a member and new members may join the Society at any point during the year. To find out more about how to become a member, please click here to fill and print an application form. You must sign the application form and mail, fax or drop off at the Mary Street office. We thank you for your interest!
The Board of Directors is elected by the general membership at the annual meeting and the Board is responsible for electing its own executive.
The role of the Board of Directors is to establish and govern policies that provide direction to the Executive Director of the Society, who is then responsible for implementation. In most cases, the Board of Directors makes decisions as a whole. In some instances, a few Directors will form a committee to perform a specific function or address a specific issue and make recommendations to the full Board. The Board's role and function is defined by the Constitution and By-Laws of the Society which are approved by the general membership of the Society.
The following are the most commonly agreed upon roles for the Board of Directors as an entity:
To establish and maintain the legal and corporate existence of the Society.
To be accountable for the assets of the Society and for the actions undertaken by it.
To take responsibility for formulating goals, objectives, policies and guidelines for programs both in the long and short-terms and to establish priorities.
To evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken and the appropriateness of the planning process as they relate to the needs of the individuals being served.
To provide continuity of experienced leadership so that major staff changes will not weaken the Society and to employ the Executive Director with whom the Board shares leadership.
To set policies for the executive Director to implement and achieve and to allow the Executive Director to make day-to-day decisions without interference.
To specify what input it needs from the Executive Director in order to make prudent policy decisions.
To work as a team with the Executive Director to accomplish the Society's objectives.
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