News Release Archive
COMMUNITY SERVICES--PROGRAM AUDIT RELEASED ----------------------------------------------------------------- Community Living Centres, Inc., has agreed to the request of the Department of Community Services to release the program audit of its operations to the family of the late Edward Sheppard. The audit was initiated following an incident at a small option home in Dartmouth on March 13, 1996 when Mr. Sheppard was fatally stabbed. The home was closed immediately following the incident and has not re-opened. The program audit, conducted by the Department of Community Services, examined the policies and practices of Community Living Centres, Inc. Such audits are routine following serious incidents and determine areas which require improvement in terms of the services provided to clients. The program audit of Community Living Centres, Inc. was conducted by a review team of an independent consultant from a non-profit community based service, and two staff members of the Department of Community Services. There are 25 recommendations identified in the program audit and each recommendation must be addressed in writing by Community Living Centres, Inc. and submitted to the Department of Community Services. Many of the recommendations had already been the practice of Community Living Centres, Inc. but which the Department of Community Services is now recommending be formalized as written policies. Some of the recommendations are specific to Community Living Centres, Inc. and include directions for policies on job description, volunteers and individualized program planning. Most of the recommendations are consistent with interim standards for the operation of community based options in Nova Scotia which came into effect in November, 1996. Community based options include residential programs for people with intellectual disabilities and who are able to live in the community with support or supervision. -30- Contact: Marty Wexler 902-492-0681 NOTE TO EDITORS: Copies of the program audit are available at the Department of Community Services, 5th floor, Johnston Building, 5182 Prince Street, Halifax, B3J 2T7, or by calling the department's Communications Office at 902-424-4326. trp Jan. 13, 1997 - 12:05 p.m.