About Us
Who We Are
At Balsam, we are more than just an organization - we are dedicated to providing unwavering support for those with diverse abilities. Founded with a profound commitment to compassion and care, we are provincially-funded and licensed, operating with the highest standards of excellence. Our roots trace back to Lunenburg County, where the tranquil resonances of the balsam fir and its traditional medicinal significance inspired our name. Just like the balsam tree, we provide a nurturing environment where individuals can thrive and flourish.
Our Philosophy
At the heart of Balsam lies a deep-rooted philosophy centred on holistic care and respect for each individual we serve. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging where everyone feels valued and empowered to live life to the fullest. Our approach is guided by the principles of community living, embracing diversity, and celebrating each person's unique abilities. Through collaboration, empathy, and unwavering dedication, we strive to create a supportive ecosystem that promotes independence, dignity, and meaningful connections.
What Makes Us Different
Balsam stands out as a trailblazer in the community living movement, setting the standard for excellence in care and support. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to creating a safe, nurturing environment where clients with intellectual and physical diverse abilities can thrive. Our team of compassionate professionals is dedicated to providing personalized care tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. We prioritize inclusivity, innovation, and continuous improvement, ensuring that our individuals receiving support and staff alike feel valued, respected, and supported every step of the way. With a focus on holistic well-being and a deep connection to nature, Balsam offers more than just a place to live - it's a place to call home.
Our Mission
Balsam is a community of care, support, and advocacy for persons with diverse abilities and their families.
Our Vision
Every person who receives care through us is able to fulfill their unique purpose in a community where they are valued, respected and belong.
Our Values
Respect, Gratitude, Attention to Detail, Professional, Compassionate, Inclusive.
Every person is important.
Communication builds trust.
We celebrate success together.
We can always do better.
Work can be fun.
Kindness is our superpower.
Promises are kept.
Everyone needs to feel safe.
We always do the right thing.
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While community service organizations in Nova Scotia aren't mandated to seek accreditation, Balsam has made the proactive decision to pursue it. Accreditation serves as a vital framework for organizations to assess, refine, and uphold systems and safeguards for those we serve. It fosters continuous quality enhancement and underscores our commitment to accountability to our stakeholders.
After thoroughly evaluating various accreditation bodies, we opted for CARF (the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities). Our choice was guided by CARF's extensive experience in the realm of community services and our determination that it sets the highest standards for compliance.
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Accreditation has motivated us to implement new or revamped tools and resources such as:
MyPlan (Person Centered Planning) meetings and goal setting for each person we provide support to.
Development of SharePoint systems for our persons served, staff, Board of Directors, and managers.
A regularly reviewed policy manual is available through our staff and manager SharePoint sites.
Emergency manuals, annual training and regular drills provide staff with easy-to-use information in the event of an emergency.
An enhanced employee training and orientation process.
Regular satisfaction surveys (individuals, families, employees, and stakeholders).
Increased emphasis on rights, processes, and information for individuals in resources such as the Person Served and Family Handbook, a Person Served SharePoint system, a Person Served Bill of Rights, and self-advocacy meetings.
Implementation and tracking of clear, measurable, person-centered outcomes across all programs at Balsam. These results are part of our annual Measurable Outcomes Report, which can be requested by emailing info@balsamcare.ca.
An enhanced system of committees, which include a Wellness Committee, Restrictive Practices Committee, and Community Outreach Committee (in addition to other committees that already existed, including our Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee).
The management team is primarily responsible for crafting all necessary documents and resources. However, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards is a collective responsibility shared by every member of the Balsam team. Through active participation in MyPlan meetings, diligent pursuit of set goals, adherence to policies, meticulous completion of data collection sheets, and offering real-world examples of how we meet accreditation standards in our daily operations, each of us contributes to attaining accredited status.
To our knowledge, Balsam stands as the sole agency in our sector embarking on the CARF accreditation journey. Our target is to undergo our inaugural accreditation survey in September 2024. Following the survey conducted by CARF officials, we'll receive a comprehensive report highlighting organizational strengths and recommendations for improvement. This feedback forms the backbone of our Quality Improvement Plan. Should we achieve CARF accreditation, the survey process recurs every three years, perpetuating our commitment to excellence.