Kardel's January 2016 Newsletter

Kardel’s mission is to help people with developmental disabilities have a good life

and to respect their personal choices

Kardel Newsletter, Events & Programs

Happy New Year!

Welcome to the new format of the Kardel newsletter, designed to keep you updated on newsworthy events throughout the year.

Please feel free to email us to provide feedback or share information on upcoming events that might be interesting to our readers.

Newsletter Makeover

As you can see we have a new look Newsletter that will be emailed out monthly so we can react and update you to the changes and news that there are in our field, and also share the fun stories. We have had to make the difficult decision to utilize a new cost effective and environmentally friendly way to share information with our stakeholders. The previous format to have two Newsletters was proving increasingly costly and time consuming for all involved. We would like to thank and acknowledge the involvement of Sharon Sinclair in the paper version of the Kardel Newsletter over the many years. If it wasn’t for Sharon the Newsletter and how it has evolved would not have occurred; this is reflected in her tireless effort in collecting information to share with our stakeholders.

Sharon (left) & Karen van Rheenen

Let’s get back to Sharon though, because as stated the newsletter wouldn’t be what it is if it wasn’t for her amazing ability to engage with people and the fantastic writing skills Sharon has. Well those will not go to waste, Sharon has undertaken a new role for Kardel as a PCP Facilitator as well as her ongoing role of representing Kardel with Self Advocates with a Brighter Future group.

Once again Sharon, thank you for creating and being part of a document that has made a difference in so many people’s lives, you are a very special person!

Strategic Plan 2015-2018

The process to develop this strategic plan began in June 2015, and involved a number of key activities to draw on the collective knowledge of Kardel’s stakeholders. The process was facilitated by a number of Kardel staff at various stakeholders meetings which involved reviewing the goals from the previous strategic plan and identifying any further key themes through stakeholder engagement focus groups.

Members of Kardel’s Team Connections Group (Mark Bamford and Kimberley Albrighton) met with a number of group home staff to obtain their view
Focus groups were held by Jen Neely and Cathy Elford at Orientation with a mixture of new and existing staff to obtain their input
Karl Egner, Cathy Elford and Stuart Munger met with Home Share Providers and Families to gain their perspectives on the issues that were of importance to them
Focus groups were held with staff from a variety of group homes and programs by Stuart Munger and Cathy Elford to assist in the process of identifying key themes

A one day strategic planning session held on November 5, 2015 with approximately 80 key stakeholders: staff including management, front-line, administration, home share providers, families and people supported. These activities invited stakeholders to a celebration of Kardel which ranged from Kardel Trivia to the infamous Photo Booth. In addition there was opportunity to reflect on, and share their experiences about emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities facing Kardel. Participants in the planning process contributed a number of recommendations for how Kardel might move forward and continue to grow and thrive as an organization. The key themes identified through this process, and recommendations for Kardel’s strategic directions over the coming years are highlighted in this document.

Upcoming Seminar:

If you'd like to register or receive more information please phone Kim

at 250-382-5959 ext. 221

Changes to the Disability Tax Credit Application

The Canada Revenue Agency has changed the layout of the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) application. We hope that these new changes will make it easier for people with disabilities to apply for and access the benefits of the DTC.

If you want to apply for the DTC you can download and print the application from the Canada Revenue Agency website or request a copy of the application by calling 1-800-959-8281.

Disability Alliance BC has more information about the DTC and the related Registered Disability Savings Plan in Help Sheet 14 of our Help Sheet series.

We hope this helps you to help your clients. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Sam Turcott at 604-872-1278 or 1-800-663-1278

Click here for new information regarding the PWD Asset level Increase.

Dustin House News

Don has been attending the Cougars Hockey games again this year but he put aside his hockey fixation for one night to attend a concert as well. Near the end of September Don went to the Shania Twain concert and had a really good time.

Kara spent a night downtown at a fancy resort hotel after an evening of shopping and dinner out. Kara spent the afternoon shopping, eating ice cream and dancing with a fiddle-playing Darth Vader before having dinner at Baan Thai. Once the evening drew to a close Kara went to her suite at the Oswego Hotel and relaxed in the fancy robe before heading to bed. In the morning a big mug of cocoa and then off to brunch at de Dutch Pannekoek House to complete the trip.

Two staff members, Ben Rahi and Saeed Banki, were discussing the possibility of two supported individuals from different homes/agencies sharing a vacation. From this discussion there was the planning of two day trips with staff from two agencies and two supported individuals. To start small the plan was a day trip to North Vancouver using the Dustin van and sharing expenses. A return trip would take place with ILHS providing the transportation.

On the day of the trip Saeed and Brian showed up at Dustin to load up for the trip and off they went. The trip went fabulously and while it did take a while the second trip also went well.

When Dustin first opened there was a group of homes that supported former Queen Alexandra residents and there were quite a few social gatherings. Brian had been a regular guest at Dustin and it was great to see him again.

Paskin House News

Iggy enjoyed a trip to Vancouver a few months ago to see a BC Lions football game (they played the Edmonton Eskimos, and won!)

We travelled there via Bus, Ferry and Skytrain, and stayed at the River Rock Hotel. He enjoyed the BC Ferries Buffet on the way over and a breakfast at IHOP the following morning (he had never been before!)

Patterson House News

Ken made a ferry trip to Mill Bay where he had a Birthday lunch at a Chinese Food restaurant. Ken’s happy noises were heard far and wide.

Ken is attending the dances and library visits as well as his daily program at Good Neighbor’s. He is a busy man!

Fall was exciting as well; Nicole and Jane organized a Halloween Bash where many guests arrived. Some were old friends of Doug’s from Crossroads. Lots of great costumes, singing, treats and pizza for lunch.

Doug is attending the Hockey games and visiting his mother, while Shirley is enjoying her walks in the sunshine and shopping trips to the malls.

The Patterson Elves were busy planning a Christmas Party and decorating early to get into the Christmas spirit. We are looking forward to an exciting 2016!!

Kardel Consulting Services

209-2951 Tillicum Road
Victoria, BC V9A 2A6

Kardel Website