Service Principles

In working toward the common goals defined in the Mission Statement, each staff member has unique skills, values and a personal approach to attaining results. While methods of implementing the Mission Statement will vary, DCLS provides essential guidelines in the form of three Service Principles:

1. We will create services consistent with the needs of individuals. We will create opportunities for those in the individual's personal network to assist the person to define their support needs.
   
2. We will create an environment where staff members see their role as supporting the needs and aspirations of the individual. We will empower staff teams to be cohesive, highly motivated, focused, trained and committed to the Mission of the Society.
   
3. We will integrate individuals into the larger community.

These service principles will be reflected in the following kinds of action:

1. Providing services that help individuals to be accorded dignity, respect, and the risk of choice, enjoying:
   • personal fulfillment in a lifestyle that includes being an integral member of an extended family;
   • experiences that foster self-worth;
   • being valued for their gifts and contributions;
   • the opportunity to participate in planning their social, recreational and educational activities according to their goals and choices.
2. Facilitating the attainment of these goals through support strategies that:
   • maximize opportunities to enhance their lifestyle according to their own preferences and the expectations of people in their personal network;
   • are effective in meeting the goals they have identified in their Personal Life Plan;
   • reflect their abilities and preferences in respect to individuality, capacity to live independently and to belong to the community in which they live.
3. Supporting individuals in becoming active and accepted members of their community and widening their circle of friends by:
   • connecting with community groups and individuals through family ties;
   • building community through innovative, creative support strategies;
   • developing and maintaining a collaborative relationship with the individual's personal support network, based on interdependency and respect.
4. Monitoring how these ends are being met by:
   • participating in a Personal Life Plan meeting at least once a year;
   • evaluating results through ongoing monitoring, annual reviews and regular communication with the individual's personal network.
   • enabling individuals to review their Personal Life Plan at any time, if it is no longer consistent with their expectations.