Philosophical Statements: Program Development
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PROGRAMS AND SERVICES MANUAL
POLICY
PHILOSOPHICAL STATEMENTS: PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
The AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) strives to develop and deliver services which are:
- based on a health promotion model
- client-centred and responsive
- timely and relevant to the needs of individuals
- caring and respectful
ACT promotes respect and independence for members of the communities we serve, and applies this principle to the design and delivery of all programs and services.
ACT recognizes the diverse and changing needs of people affected by HIV/AIDS, the diverse communities affected by HIV and AIDS, and the importance of developing and providing relevant and responsive services in partnership with other service providers.
Therefore, ACT affirms that members of communities affected by HIV/AIDS must be involved in the program development process and that this process must take into account the concept of "targeting". This concept is intended to ensure that the right services reach the right people. This implies reaching people where they are, as well as removing barriers that may impede their access to services.
Program development is based in the agency's strategic plan. The plan is developed under the leadership of the ACT Board of Directors and involves internal and external consultations to discuss broad trends as well as specific program and service areas. These consultations bring together ACT Board members, staff, volunteers and representatives of various AIDS service organizations (ASOs) and other related service providers. The plan sets general service directions which frame program development.
Program development is carried out within ACT's program teams. Program development is conditioned by an ongoing process of receiving feedback from service users and volunteers, information provided by other ASOs and gathered at focus groups.
The need to deliver programs and services that are timely and responsive translates into a flexible, annual, workplanning process. Planning includes developing goals, objectives and rationale.
