Participate in the FOCUS Accreditation Surveys!

September 26, 2024

FOCUS Accreditation Update

As you may know, Karis Disability Services has been getting ready for its next accreditation validation through FOCUS Accreditation. The next phase of our accreditation process is the FOCUS surveys.

Starting next week, different people who are connected to the work of Karis Disability Services, including people using services, family members, employees, volunteers, funders, community partners, host families, and board members, will be receiving surveys about Karis, and how we meet FOCUS standards.  These surveys will be sent directly to FOCUS.

If you receive a survey invitation, you are invited to participate in our FOCUS review by completing a survey.  For those who may not receive an invitation, you may still participate.  Over the next week, we will be working with FOCUS to confirm survey links so that we can share these with others.  Please make sure to talk to the people in your work network to let them know they may participate if they wish to, as well!

Stay tuned over the next several weeks as we will continue to share more about our FOCUS review.

What to Expect – Updated Timelines:

September 30^th – October 18^th – Online FOCUS Surveys

November 4^th – November 22^nd – Virtual Review FOCUS will conduct interviews with key leaders about specific standards, review some records and information online (available through our databases), and may meet with others (e.g., Our Voices Matter).

(tentatively) April 7^th – April 25^th – On-site Review FOCUS will visit a small number of service locations in Ontario and Saskatchewan to talk to people using services and employees, to tour locations, and make observations, and review any additional documentation onsite.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to learn more, please contact a member of the FOCUS Champions team or Justin Radstake, Manager of Quality Assurance or Peter Wyngaarden, Director of Quality, Research and Practice Initiatives (QRPI).  You can also find out more about FOCUS and Accreditation on CH Connect under About Us/Accreditation (VPN required).