2009 TDCSS Policies & Procedures Manual (pdf)

Click on the link above to view or print a copy of the 2009 TDCSS Policies & Procedures Manual

Thank you to those employees who made suggestions for changes, deletions or expansions of policies. As much as possible, you input was taken into consideration in the development and review of these policies. To make suggestions for policy change you can email your supervisor, manager or the Executive Director. Generally, policies are reviewed in June of each year but we will taken suggestions throughout the year. To submit suggestions thoughout the year email marilynlissimore@tdcss.ca

It is the responsibility of every employee to know, understand and follow all TDCSS policies. Changes in the policy are highlighted below but it is required that all employees are aware of and follow all policies regardless of whether they are highlighted in this section. The most current policy will be found online in the TDCSS staff zone of the website www.tdcss.ca. If you have forgot or lost your username or password contact your manager and they will make sure you have access to the website.
Highlights of the changes in the 2009 TDCSS Policy Manual:

• Organizational Chart Policy 1.1 An updated organizational chart

• Persons Served Bill of Rights Policy 1.8 This is a new policy outlining the rights fo persons served. It reflect the policies already in the programs.

• Orientation Policy 2.3 The policy now includes the requirement for all staff to complete the online orientation modules, health and safety training module and critical incident reporting training module.

• Conflict of Interest Policy 3.7 Clarification of the Conflict of Interest Policy in regards to accepting Honorariums
• “If an employee, who is asked to represent the Society and offered any honorarium for their participation will accept the honorarium on behalf of the Society. In the case where an employee incurs expenses the honorarium may be used to cover the expenses of the employee with approval from their supervisor. Gifts with no or minimal monetary value may be accepted by employees with approval from their supervisor.”

• Criminal Record Check Policy 3.9 This policy change reflects our new practice of requiring only one Criminal Record Check. If possible, this check is to be completed under the Criminal Record Review Act and if not at the local RCMP detachment. This change was a result of an expansion of the types of criminal activity considered by the Criminal Record Review Act and as a result of the increasing costs of completing 2 Criminal Record Checks.

• Critical Incident Reporting Policy 3.16 This is a new policy to reflect the policy & procedures already being used in the programs.

• Personal Property Damage Policy 3.25 Provide clarification of the responsibility of employees to protect their personal property.

• Pets 3.27 This is a clarification of the policy on having pets in TDCSS facilities

• Physical Restraint Person with a Disability Policy 3.31,3.32,3.33,3.34 This is a new policy to reflect the requirement of CARF to have separate policy for people with disabilities. The policy is the same as our current policies but with a specific requirement to use plain language when discussing restraint, the requirements for removal of restraint and alternatives to restraint to a person served. Although is specifically named in these policies it is the expectation that all communication with persons served is appropriate to their abilities, culture and experience.

• Substance Abuse Policy 3.44 This policy expands our existing policy and provides substantially more direction and definition. The policy speaks to the consequences of possession, purchasing, selling or using of drugs and/or alcohol; the use of prescription drugs; the employees responsibilities and duties; reasonable cause testing of employees; accommodation of employees with addiction misuse issues, drug diversion (taking the meds of a person served) and notification of law enforcement.

• Vehicle Use and Safety Policy 3.47 This policy has been amended to allow the development of an alternative to Class 4 driver’s licenses for some vehicles; to include the requirement of renewal of driver’s abstract (already the practice); to clarify the use of vehicles in hazardous road conditions and to clarify what to do in the case of an accident.

• Employee Benefits Policy 6.6 This change reflects our current practice of giving casuals access to the Employee Assistance Program.

• Inspection of Facilities Policy 7.2 This change was necessary to reflect our new locations.

• Health & Safety Policy 7.2, 7.10, 7.14, 7.15, 7.16, 7.17, 7.18, 7.19, 7.20, 7.21
• This is an expansion of our current procedures for the most part but also contains some new policy.

• Use of the Internet Policy 8.2 Clarification of who can use our equipment and internet services.

Marilyn Lissimore
Executive Director

www.TDCSS.ca
Serving People and Communities in the Northwest