Accreditation

The Support Network is at the forefront in standards of care and practice in our sector.

 

Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS)

AIRS (Alliance of Information & Referral Systems) is an international organization that provides a professional umbrella for all I&R providers in both public and private organizations. AIRS is the administrator of an accreditation program that measures an organization’s ability to meet the AIRS Standards, and a certification program that evaluates the competence of individual I&R practitioners.


The Support Network is the only AIRS accredited 211 Information Centre in Edmonton.  This accreditation assesses the ability of an I&R program to demonstrate full compliance with a comprehensive list of operational components, including service quality and effectiveness, community involvement and organizational stability. Achieving this accreditation demonstrates a commitment to meeting the highest standards in the field of I&R.


AIRS Accreditation is the primary quality assurance mechanism for gauging I&R excellence. It is endorsed by both national, provincial and state entities across the US and Canada as a benchmark for all I&R providers. All 211 staff are required to complete certification as an Information & Referral Specialist and Crisis Worker. Both of these certifications are measurements of ability in the fields of I&R and crisis work reflecting specific competencies and related performance criteria, which describe the knowledge, skills, attitudes and work-related behaviours needed by these workers to be successful.

 

 American Association of Suicidology (AAS)

The Support Network is the only crisis centre in Edmonton that meets the North American standards for accreditation according to the American Association of Suicidology. 

AAS is an education and resource organization in the area of suicide prevention and intervention. Similar to the AIRS accreditation, this process assesses the ability of a crisis centre to operate service delivery programs that are performing according to nationally recognized standards. Much of The Support Network’s material is referenced as best practices, policies and programs by AAS.

 

InformCanada

The Support Network is a member of InformCanada, the Canadian affliliate of the Alliance of Information & Referral Systems (AIRS).

 

Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention (CASP)

We are a member of CASP.

 

Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct

We adhere to a strict code of ethics.

 

Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accounting Code

We have adopted the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy's Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accounting Code.

 

Canadian Code of Volunteer Involvement

We have also adopted the Canadian Code of Volunteer Involvement.

 

These programs help us to ensure that we continue to meet high standards of service and they provide criteria for systematic, ongoing self-evaluation.

 

Last updated: July 28, 2009