News Release Archive

COMMUNITY SERVICES--PROGRAM AUDIT RELEASED
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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.

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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.