It would be very interesting to see just who the signatories to the agreement between AADAC and Kids of the Canadian West were. What were the checks and balances? There is no official body licensing AARC. They are accredited by the CACOHS, but this body does not have the authority to close AARC nor enforce regulations. AARC is not even in compliance with the CACOHS criteria:
"9.0 Staff
9.1.1
Every community worker will have a degree or diploma or 2 years of relevant experience in a human service field.
Indicator:
Staff list identifying position and qualifications will be submitted as part of self-study
Staff file review
9.1.2
Supervisors have a degree or diploma in a human service field or 3 years of experience in the human services field and competence in community work.
Indicator:
Staff list identifying position and qualifications will be submitted as part of the self-study
Staff file review
10.0 Staff Training"
The psychosocial interventions conducted at AARC are performed by Peer Counselors, who do not have degrees, diplomas nor 2 years of relevant experience in a human field. Here's what AARC says about their Peer Counselors:
"•As part of their ongoing professional development they are all in educational programs and receiving scholarships from AARC."
http://www.aarc.ab.ca/qa.php#q10AARC continues to use arbitrary detention to keep clients who are on the first level of the program, which can last many months. AARC has used a variety of means to evade culpability, from Dean Vause's claim that the consent forms signed by clients permit him to keep clients against their will, to the misrepresentation of the PCHAD legislation, which permits a minor to be held for five days with a court order.
Here's what CACOHS says about leaving the program:
"11.0 Intake Process
11.1.1
The program has a written policy that identifies the eligibility criteria of persons served. This policy will include a description of the issues addressed and services provided.
The policy will outline the length of the program
Indicator:
Policy submitted as part of the self-study
Staff interviews
11.2.1 (Number changed from 11.1.2 January 2005)
An admissions procedure is established in policy that provides for the following:
1) An introduction of the person served to the program;
2) The gathering of pertinent information; and
3) Ensuring that the person served and/or family understands:
i. The program’s policies, procedures, and expectations; and
ii. His/her rights including:
• Grievance procedures;
• Access to the Children’s advocate, if appropriate;
• The right to be involved in the planning of their future; and
• The right to discontinue service."
AARC denies the client's right to discontinue service. So what does the client do when they encounter one of the illegal activities that make up the AARC program?
"To ensure that any client can submit a written Grievance when he/she feels there is an injustice, inequality, or hindrance to obtaining effective treatment.
Procedure:
1.A client who wishes to grieve will request a meeting with his/her Primary Peer Counsellor. If no resolution is found at this meeting, the client must put the Grievance in writing, and the Grievance will be directed to the next level of Peer Counsellor and/or Clinical staff. The original meeting will be documented and signed by the Primary Peer Counsellor.
2.If no resolution is found at any of the above levels, the Grievance will then proceed to the Clinical Supervisor and then to the Executive Director. If no resolution is found at these levels, the client may submit his/her Grievances to the Chairman of the Parent Executive Committee, the Clinical Committee Chairman, and finally if necessary, the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
3.The Chairman has the authority to resolve the Grievance or bring it to the attention of the full Board of Directors.
4.Once a final decision is reached, the appropriate staff member will meet with the Client to advise him/her of the outcome.
5.A copy of the final decision will be signed by the Client and filed in the client’s personal file.
6.A client who has engaged in the grievance process may expect to be updated weekly about the status of this procedure and may expect a final decision within one month"
The client makes a written complaint that goes through two levels of Peer Counselors, then the Clinical Supervisor, and then Dean Vause. Eventually the complaint goes to the Board, of which Vause is listed as Executive Director. The client complains about Dean Vause's program to Dean Vause.
"14.2.1
The agency has written policies prohibiting the use or teaching of any behaviour management * technique that is intentionally harmful or abusive to the persons served."
Bad manners only undertands bad manners according to Dean Vause.
There is no system of checks and balances in AARC. All roads lead to Dean Vause.
