To develop comprehensive policies and procedures for Resilient Hearts Inc. that align with accreditation standards set in place by ACDS (Alberta Council of Disability Services), ensuring high-quality services and compliance with regulatory requirements. This project aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application, providing students with hands-on experience in policy development. By focusing on accreditation standards, students will gain a deeper understanding of the regulatory landscape and the importance of maintaining high standards in service delivery for individuals with developmental disabilities. The project will also enhance students' research, analytical, and collaborative skills, preparing them for future careers in policy and administration.

Project Outline:

Week 1-2: Introduction and Orientation

• Introduction to Resilient Hearts Inc.: Overview of the organization, its mission, vision, and services provided.
• Understanding Accreditation Standards: Introduction to the relevant accreditation standards (e.g., ACDS) applicable to developmental disability service providers.
• Project Goals and Expectations: Explanation of the project objectives, deliverables, and evaluation criteria.

Week 3-4: Research and Analysis

• Accreditation Standards Deep Dive: Detailed analysis of the accreditation standards, focusing on areas such as governance, program service delivery, risk management, and continuous quality improvement.
• Current State Assessment: Review and assess any existing policies and procedures of Resilient Hearts Inc. Identify gaps and areas for improvement.

Week 5-8: Policy Development

• Policy Drafting: Develop draft policies that align with accreditation standards. This may include policies on client rights, service delivery, staff training, health and safety, emergency preparedness, and confidentiality.
• Procedure Development: Create detailed procedures to implement the drafted policies. This includes step-by-step instructions, roles and responsibilities, and necessary documentation.

Week 9-10: Review and Feedback

• Internal Review: Present the draft policies and procedures to Resilient Hearts Inc. for initial feedback. This includes discussions with management and staff to ensure practicality and relevance.
• Peer Review: Conduct peer reviews among student groups to provide constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Week 11-12: Finalization

• Policy and Procedure Refinement: Incorporate feedback from Resilient Hearts Inc. and peer reviews to refine the policies and procedures.
• Final Presentation: Prepare a comprehensive report and present the final policies and procedures to the management team of Resilient Hearts Inc.

Week 13-14: Implementation Planning

• Implementation Strategy: Develop a strategy for implementing the new policies and procedures. This includes a timeline, a training plan for staff, and methods for monitoring compliance.
• Evaluation Plan: Create an evaluation plan to measure the effectiveness of the new policies and procedures. This includes setting key performance indicators (KPIs) and methods for continuous improvement.

Week 15-16: Project Reflection and Reporting

• Project Reflection: Reflect on the project outcomes, challenges faced, and lessons learned.
• Final Report Submission: Submit a final report documenting the entire project process, the developed policies and procedures, and the implementation and evaluation plans.

Deliverables:

1. Comprehensive set of policies and procedures aligned with accreditation standards.
2. Implementation strategy for the new policies and procedures.
3. Evaluation plan to measure the effectiveness of the policies and procedures.
4. Final project report documenting the project process and outcomes.

This project will not only provide valuable policies and procedures for Resilient Hearts Inc. but also give senior policy students practical experience in policy development and implementation within the social service sector.

• Students will connect directly with the employer for mentorship and project completion.
• Employer can offer weekly check-in meetings along with email/phone support for explaining Resilient Hearts Program and answering any questions that may arise for this project.
• Employer can provide a reference for work purposes.
• Employer will provide a study guide and accreditation standards for the development of policies and procedures.