Organization
Organization
OARTY represents a major source of long and short term residential care and treatment for children, youth and adults in Ontario. The association is a collective voice composed of members and associate members working to make a profound difference to the future of vulnerable children, youth and adults in Ontario. In February 2010 OARTY released a comprehensive research project entitled Treating Ontario's Most Vulnerable Children. The research done is being disseminated to OARTY stakeholders in order to further our advocacy efforts on behalf of the province’s most damaged children. Within OARTY’s most recent Annual Report, released in June 2010, are statistics from our membership, highlights of the extensive work of our members, and some of the association’s achievements within the 2009/10 member year.
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The Ontario Association of Residences Treating Youth (OARTY), through its member agencies, promotes the provision of high quality residential (group & foster) care for vulnerable children, youth, young adults and their families.
Standards & Beliefs
OARTY, because of its role in advocating for the most vulnerable children, youth and adults in out of home care in Ontario, believed it important to develop a set of standards that would assist residential care providers in their day to day activities and practices.
OARTY developed these standards as part of the association's broader effort to ensure the highest quality of care for children, youth and adults in need in Ontario, and these standards are meant to go beyond the standards legislated by our licensing Ministry.
The standards along with the supporting principles and beliefs, specify the criteria against which the performance of persons, programs or agencies can be measured, thus providing a basis for holding member agencies accountable to each other and to the communities they serve. They are intended to define clearly and consistently our associations' beliefs about the welfare of children requiring residential care and further, to raise the quality of services provided to children, youth, adults and their families. It is the further intention of this document to strengthen the existing collaborative processes between OARTY member agencies and their community and professional partners.
OARTY recognizes that its member agencies provide a wide array of services and vary in settings and client populations. The standards have been developed with respect and appreciation for the unique blend of services offered by OARTY members. It is also understood that an excess of regulation can limit flexibility and may inhibit the exercise of professional judgment in the delivery of service. OARTY seeks to balance this reality with its desire to provide a measuring tool by which the highest quality care can be ensured.
These Standards, then, should be viewed as directing principles toward the most desirable, beneficial, effective, and ethical levels of performance. They are designed to assist OARTY members in the development of their policies and practices, in the operation of their day-to-day activities and to help caregivers understand their respective roles and responsibilities. Toward that end these guidelines can be used as a constant resource and reference manual. It is also understood that this working document will continue to be developed and modified so that it reflects best practice as supported by the current research and literature.
Principles on which the Standards are based:
The concept of care and treatment is based on certain beliefs and principles governing the provision of services to children, youth, adults and their families. It is these beliefs and principles that then influence the services we provide and the manner in which we relate to each other as members of an association and within the professional community. These beliefs and principles provide the foundation for the development of OARTY's Standards of Care.
- That every activity of the agency must be therapeutic, from counseling to food service; from group living to maintenance.
- That those who provide direct care are our most precious resource. The manner in which we treat all current, prospective and past care providers reflects the strength of our belief in a person's value.
- That healthy, honest and open communication among all persons at all levels is essential to the quality of the service we provide personnel and clientele.
- That spirituality, as each of us understands it, helps us become whole and gives us the power and the hope to change our lives for the better.
- That all resources, financial, human, property, etc. available to us are at the service of our agencies to enrich the quality of care of the children, youth, adults and their families
- That any environment to which we expose our children, youth, adults and their families will reflect generous and nurturing care and is essential to their growth, safety and security.
- That, in an atmosphere of respect and integrity, we can support each other, while making every effort to promote and maintain the highest ethical standards of this profession.
- That we are partners with our community.
The establishment and operation of a provincial network of direct service organizations providing residential care for children and youth in need who are physically or sexually abused, emotionally disturbed, developmentally challenged, autistic, medically fragile, young offenders, dually diagnosed, conduct disordered, psychiatrically disordered and other hard to serve children and youth, and funded on a per diem basis:
1. To develop and coordinate resources to benefit children and youth in need living in residential care;
2. To provide support, encouragement and to facilitate the healthy development of children and youth in need living in residential care;
3. To liaise and consult with other children's and youth's service providers in the children's and youth's sector to maximize efforts and initiatives;
4. To create, maintain and share relevant communications amongst service providers, within the association and without, to facilitate the above objectives.
Charitable Registration Number: 88952 8394 RR0001
OARTY's partners in caring for children include Children Aid Societies, Children's Mental Health Centres, educational institutions including Ryerson University and George Brown College, hospitals, school boards, Associations for Community Living, police officers, probation officers, psychiatric facilities and the Ministries of Children's and Youth Services and Community and Social Services.
OARTY's Strategic Plan: 2009 - 2012 Return to top
Overview
In August 2009 the Board of Directors of the Ontario Association of Residences Treating Youth participated in 2-day Strategic Planning session. The Board acknowledged the success and effectiveness of the existing Strategic Plan; new elements were incorporated to achieve an updated plan for the next three years.
The organization’s Vision continues to be for the Ontario Association of Residences Treating Youth to become the Centre of Excellence for Residential Care within Ontario. The association will be become the leader within the provincial residential care sector, achieved through its excellent activities and widespread influence throughout the province of Ontario.
The Strategic Plan consists of four key organizational areas: Government & Public Relations, Standards & Outcomes Management, Organizational Effectiveness, and Research. Primary objectives and broad strategies are identified. Key tactics are noted which are expanded upon within the 2009/10 OARTY Operational Plan which incorporates timeframes, responsibilities, costs and performance indicators.
I. Government & Public Relations
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Objective:
- To influence government decision-making that supports membership interests in the areas of residential public policy, regulations and operational procedures
Strategies:
- Identify and promote organizational position on key issues based on OARTY’s 6-Point Plan
- Ensure good relations with relevant government ministries and parties
Key Tactics:
- Create annual Government Communications Plan (Children & Adults)
- Participate as equal player in MCYS’ CAS Commission
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Objective:
- To be the voice of Independent Residential Service Providers (IRSP)
Strategies:
- Expand OARTY public presence
Key Tactics:
- Expand stakeholder relations
- Enhance communications & outreach to members & non-members
- Implement Media Plan & Training to OARTY spokespersons
II. Standards & Outcomes Management
Objective:
- To ensure that OARTY members are recognized as the leaders in the provision of high quality residential care within Ontario
Strategies:
- Promote 3rd party accreditation & the use of outcomes management systems to members, government & stakeholders
- Collaborate with stakeholders to identify & promote best practices and related tools
Key Tactics:
- Create professional development opportunities for members
- Identify relevant outcomes management systems
III. Organizational Effectiveness
Objective:
- To ensure that OARTY is a vibrant and relevant association that is responsive to its membership
Strategies:
- Expand Membership Base
- Promote member participation
- Ensure good governance & financial stability
Key Tactics:
- Explore development of new membership categories
- Conduct 2nd Member Satisfaction Survey
- Promote members’ knowledge & expertise
IV. Research
Objective:
- To utilize OARTY research initiatives to authenticate, quantify and promote the value provided by IRSP
Strategies:
- Develop a research strategy to support OARTY’s government & PR directions
- Ensure the value of the research is relevant to members and stakeholders
Key Tactics:
- Identify stakeholders’ directions & partnership opportunities
- Determine minimal data set
- Endorse behavior and assessment tools/instruments for members’ use
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