Welcome to the Excel Society

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do you provide service to?

Excel Society Residential Services provides services and supports to people of all ages with disabilities including but not limited to:

Developmental delay
Brain injury
Mental illness & Mental Health Concerns
Complex Needs
Alzheimer’s
Dementia
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Effect
Physical disabilities including hearing and visual impairment
Several of Excel’s homes are wheelchair accessible. Several homes are adapted for Deaf individuals

What kind of training do your staff have?

Staff are trained in CPR, First Aid, Non-violent Crisis Intervention, Abuse Protocol, Universal Precautions, Positive Behaviour Supports, Professional Documentation, WHIMIS, Suicide Intervention and Medication Administration among others. Staff have RCMP Security Clearance checks and an Intervention Record Check.

What kinds of programs/services do you have?

The Excel Society offers four service areas to individuals with disabilities, to support them in becoming an active and valued citizen within their community. These include:

Community Residential & Support Services (Adult and Child Group Living Residences, Supported Independent Living Supports)
Community Day Options services (leisure activities, life skills development, Employment Training and Placement supports), Outreach Services (weekend and evening supports)
Creative Supports (Supportive Roommates), Support Home (Supportive Roommate) Placements; Respite Supports
Designated Assisted Living sites

All Programs are funded through Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Alberta Health Services, North West Territories and the department of Alberta Children and Youth Services.

What kinds of things can a Supported Independent Living worker do with me?

A Supported Independent Living worker can help increase your daily living skills or help you access the community while providing one-to-one support. Typically, this service is provided on weekends and evenings, and will fluctuate as your needs change. We support individuals to gain the skills and connections to help you live more independently from support staff and more interdependently on natural supports. These natural supports can include neighbours, community helpers, employers, and other people that we will support you to develop relationships with.

Where are your homes located?

Excel Society has 34 homes throughout Edmonton and area including Fort Saskatchewan and Winterburn Road, serving Edmonton West including Spruce Grove and Stony Plain. Two of our homes offer a distinctive rural flavour and have on-site day programs. Excel Society also has 4 homes in Calgary.

What supports are provided in your homes?

Staff assist with personal and household routines, including administering medications and providing personal care where needed. Support is adapted to the individuals personal care plan or their Individual Service Plan. Independence and community involvement are encouraged where appropriate. Every effort is made to provide a comfortable, safe, healthy, social environment in the homes giving consideration to individual interests, goals, abilities and supports required. Some homes are staffed 24 hours a day.

Are your homes licensed?

All our homes meet or exceed standards by government funding agencies, including Alberta Family and Social Services - Social Care Facilities Licensing, Residential Facilities Licensing Regulation as per the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement act, Alberta Health Services, Persons with Developmental Disabilities, and Child Welfare. Excel Society’s programs are fully accredited through Alberta Association of Rehabilitation Centres. Alberta Council of Disability Services’ “Creating Excellence Together” standards.

How much does it cost to live in an Excel home?

Staffing support costs are generally covered by Government funding sources such as Adult Housing - Capital Health Authority, Services to Persons with Disabilities, Handicapped Children’s Services and Child Welfare. (There are some exceptions for private insurance claims). Room and board costs vary from house to house but range between $550 and $800 per month. This covers all residential costs including utilities, food, phone, cable service, and furnishings to common areas. Private pay suites are also available at the Balwin Villa, a DAL facility.

How many people live in a home?

Excel has several different housing models, from semi-independent suites where one or two residents share accommodation, to the larger, more traditional group living residences with three to eight residents.

Do I have to live in a group living residence to get residential support?

There are several other residential support models for people who do not wish to or would not benefit from living in a group home. The Creative Supports Services with Support Home (Supportive Roommate) Placements and Supported Independent Living services can assist you in finding the ideal alternate living arrangements and supports you require.

The Excel Supported Independent Living Program or Creative Supports (i.e. Supportive Roommates) programs allows a client to maintain or achieve a sense of independence while still having access to adequate supports for his/her needs.

In a Supportive Roommate placement the principle residence is shared by the support person or possible with a support family and the client. The client learns to make more independent living decisions, share residence upkeep, roommate responsibilities, supportive communication, budgeting (rent and food), and household tasks.

In a Supportive Neighbour placement the client lives in an adjoining suite or adjacent suite to the support person, e.g., basement suite, an apartment complex. Supports are provided on an as needed/identified basis. The person requiring support is typically quite independent and can be alone for a certain length of time without presenting a significant safety risk. As well, she/he will likely be able to complete many or most of the tasks relating to their daily routine with minimal or no supervision. Weekend respite support is also available.

How are Supportive Roommate placements determined?

If you are interested in having a supportive roommate, a Service Coordinator will meet with you to determine your eligibility and support needs . Once it is confirmed that this service is the best fit and supported by PDD, a peer match process would begin. The Excel Service Coordinator would arrange for you to meet with potential roommates to determine a positive match . It may require several visits and outings to ensure that the potential Supportive Roommate and you will have a successful arrangement.

How do I find out if I quality for Government Supports?

Call the numbers below or Excel’s Service Coordinator and someone will be happy to assist you.

What kind of day options services do you offer?

We operate several day options services, including programs that offer a blend of community and facility-based recreation and leisure supports, and a ‘55+’ program for adults looking for a more relaxed environment for recreation, leisure, and volunteer opportunities. We also offer services for employment training and placement.

Whom can I contact for more information?

Please call: Division 1 Adult Intake Coordinator (Div 2 does not use the Intake Coordinators – all intake goes through AHS Supportive Living), Childrens Services Program Manager, DAL sites intake, Calgary office for Calgary intake. Excel Society will have someone arrange to meet with you to discuss your service needs and how Excel can support you in planning for your future.