COCDA Staff are required to ensure that clients and parents have been informed of their rights and responsibilities at the beginning of service, upon request and at least annually throughout service delivery

You Have The Right to...

• Information regarding your child and his or her involvement with the COCDA
• All records regarding your child are yours to view.  All written reports regarding your child will be sent to you and shared only with those you have provided consent for release of information
• Information also includes information about additional community services for your child.
• Receive information in a language that you understand.  An interpreter may be present on your behalf.
• Bring in an interpreter if you feel it is needed.
• Be informed of assessment tools and procedures that will be used to assess your child.
• Express concerns openly without fear of retaliation or jeopardizing services.
• Freedom from any form of abuse, humilation, neglect and financial or other exploitation.
• Have any concern regarding the infringement of any of the Rights stated here, thoroughly investigated and resolved through the COCDA's complaint procedure.

Cultural And/Or Religious Beliefs

Your have the right to express any values, morals or beliefs that you feel should be noted by the COCDA staff that may determine delivery of service or development of individual programs.

Family Routine

• You have the right to service that is supportive of your family routine.
• We are committed to providing service that is not too disruptive to your child and your family.  We will endeavor to accommodate individual family needs.
• Visits typically take place at the centre, in your home or in a childcare setting unless otherwise arranged.
• Frequency and length of visits will take into account family needs and will be confirmed with you in advance.

Requesting Information

• You have the right to request information and support in connecting with other families and/or support systems, including legal, self-help, and advocacy supports.
• You have the right to receive or have access to relevant, timely information for decision making regarding involvement with the COCDA

Planning / Team Meetings

• You have the right to be included in all planning regarding your child.
• COCDA staff work closely with parents/caregivers to identify and prioritize program objectives.  You may be asked to participate in team meetings and provide information for intake and assessment purposes.
• Families can request a team meeting at any time.  This collaborative approach is to ensure integration of services and provide the opportunity for exchange of information.  Our goal is to ensure that families remain informed and in control of decisions regarding their child.

Risks Involved With Treatment

You have the right to be informed of any risks involved with treatment or intervention used in your child’s program.

Caseloads And Waitlists

• You have the right to be informed about current caseload size and capacity.
• Each program/service has caseloads of varying size and priorities for service.  Your program service provider will provide waitlist information.  It is a goal of the COCDA that waitlists are kept to a minimum; however, it is a reality that the number of children referred for service generally exceeds program capacity.

Refusal of Service

• You have the right to refuse service.
• You may refuse any service or intervention.  COCDA staff is obliged to advise you of any potential risks associated with refusal or discontinuation of services.

Individualized Service

• You have the right to individualized service.
• Programs delivered through the COCDA are individualized after assessing of each child’s strengths and needs.

Trained, Qualified Staff

You have the right to trained, qualified staff.

• COCDA guarantees that employees are qualified and have appropriate training and/or experience to provide services within their program.
• All employees are subject to criminal record checks.
• Your Service provider will share their professional background, qualifications and related experience during the initial home visit.

Confidentiality

You have the right to ...

• Confidentiality and privacy with regards to receiving services, including being asked to consent to the release of any information
• Information or documentation regarding your child will not be shared with any individual without informed written consent from you / legal guardian or as required or allowed by law.
• Information may be shared with COCDA staff members working or involved with your child in order to provide additional consultation for program planning.
• Information will not be shared with any individual or organization that is not or has not been involved with your child
• Client files, computer files, videotapes and phtographs to be stored in a secure locked location.
• Be informed of any research that the organization is involved in and be given the choice to participate.
• You will be informed of and in agreement with any referrals to other programs within the COCDA as well as referrals to other agencies.
• All employees at the COCDA enter into a signed Confidentiality Agreement when they are hired.  Breaches of confidentiality are grounds for discipline by the Centre as well as by professional colleges or registering bodies.
• In order to ensure that information is released appropriately, when parents are separated or divorced, the Centre may request proof (e.g. a legal document such as a custody agreement) of guardianship.
• There is one exception to our confidentiality rule.  If we have a concern regarding your child’s safety or well being, we are bound by law to report it to the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

COCDA Promotes Individual Rights Of Clients