PLS at a Glance
ABOUT US
Welcome to Personal Lifestyle Support Inc., this guide is to provide information about us to the People wanting support, their families, and all community networks that are interested in learning more about us and the services we offer.
PLS Inc. Is a Community Living Support Agency established in 2007 working in partnership with Community Living British Columbia, offering quality service and support within the community. Our goal is to start with person centered thinking/planning to find out what makes the person we are supporting truly happy. We offer various supports including but not limited to: life skills, community inclusion, job search and outreach services focusing on the persons receiving support goals and dreams. The team at Personal Lifestyle Support Inc. is dedicated to ensuring:
· Persons receiving support will choose their own goals.
· Persons receiving support will be safe and secure.
· Persons receiving support will be respected.
· Persons receiving support will be happy.
The Team at PLS
Personal Lifestyle Support Inc. values the Persons we support and their families/networks and are dedicated to ensuring the best possible support following the principles of respect, integrity, dignity, and happiness. The team is highly qualified and knowledgeable of various networks within the community, they are positive, enthusiastic with strong ethics and integrity.
Our Management Team
- Executive Director: Tamara Papineau
plsokanagan@hotmail.com 250-979-8869.
- Quality Assurance Lead/Behaviour Lead: Samara Hoedt
ssamara.pls@gmail.com 250-718-9428.
- Program Coordinator: Serenna Boettcher
serenna.pls@gmail.com 250-864-7453.
- Occupational Health and Safety Lead: Jason Kaholyk
jkohalyk@gmail.com 250-899-6623.
About The Owner/Executive Director
Tamara Papineau began her career in 1998 after graduating from the Human Service Worker Program at Okanagan University College (OUC). Subsequently, she taught adaptive programs at Parkinson Recreation Center, where she conducted sports, crafts, and a youth group that she led for six years.
In 2000, Tamara started working on various private contracts through the Ministry of Children and Families, Community Living British Columbia, and Autism Funding, in addition to working at multiple support agencies in the Kelowna area.
The experience and knowledge Tamara accumulated over the years, combined with truly listening to the needs and desires of those receiving support, fueled her drive and passion for creating a support agency dedicated to offering quality service and focusing on person-centered support.
In the summer of 2007, Tamara enrolled in the Business Development Program, which culminated in the grand opening of PLS in September of that year.
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Composition of Our Organization's Workforce
Personal Lifestyle Support Inc. is dedicated to providing exemplary supports and services to individuals receiving support, stakeholders and our community, ensuring that we meet the highest standards of quality and safety. The composition of our workforce is meticulously structured to facilitate seamless operations and deliver outstanding support to those we serve. Below is an overview of our workforce:
Executive Director
The Executive Director is at the helm of our organization, providing strategic leadership and direction. This role involves overseeing all aspects of our operations, ensuring that we fulfill our mission and achieve our goals. The Executive Director is responsible for setting the vision, managing resources, and representing the organization to persons receiving support, stakeholders, including funders, partners, and the community.
Quality Assurance Lead
The Quality Assurance Lead plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity and excellence of our services. This role is tasked with developing and implementing quality assurance policies and procedures, conducting regular audits, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations. The Quality Assurance Lead collaborates with other team members to identify areas for improvement and drives initiatives to enhance service delivery.
Program Coordinator
The Program Coordinator is responsible for the planning, execution, and management of our various programs. This role involves coordinating activities, resources, and communications to ensure programs run smoothly and effectively. The Program Coordinator works closely with other staff members and persons receiving support to align program objectives with our organizational goals and monitors progress to ensure that outcomes are achieved.
Behaviour Lead
The Behavior Lead for Community Support is a pivotal role within our organization, dedicated to overseeing and enhancing the behavioral support services provided to persons receiving support. This employee will spearhead the development and implementation of behavior intervention plans, provide expert guidance and training to staff, and ensure that our behavioral support strategies are effective, ethical, and in line with best practices. The Behavior Lead will work collaboratively with other team members to create a supportive and positive environment for both persons receiving support and staff.
Occupational Health and Safety Lead
Ensuring the safety and well-being of our staff and persons receiving support is paramount. The Occupational Health and Safety Lead is dedicated to this mission, overseeing the development and implementation of health and safety policies. This employee conducts regular risk assessments, provides training to staff, and ensures compliance with occupational health and safety regulations. Their work is vital in creating a safe and healthy environment for everyone involved with our organization.
Community Support Workers
Community Support Workers are the backbone of our service delivery, providing direct support to persons receiving support. Our workforce includes full-time, part-time, and casual Community Support Workers, each playing a crucial role in our operations.
These staff members are committed to providing consistent, ongoing support to persons receiving support. They are deeply involved in the day-to-day activities and play a key role in building strong, trusting relationships with those we serve. They bring valuable skills and experience, ensuring that we can maintain high levels of service.
Casual Community Support Workers: Casual workers provide additional support on an as-needed basis. They are essential for covering shifts, handling unexpected demands, or stepping in during staff absences. Their adaptability and availability are crucial for maintaining continuity of care and service.
Our Mission, Vision, Mandate and Values
Mission Statement
Personal Lifestyle Support Inc. will empower those who we support through person-centered planning, helping them to achieve their goals and dreams. By doing this we aspire to enhance their self-confidence and quality of life through community inclusion. We will all work together by keeping the focus on person centered support to promote healthy self-esteem. We will continue to offer the highest level of quality service with strong ethics and integrity.
Vision Statement
The vision of Personal Lifestyle Support Inc. is to create a world where every individual, regardless of their abilities or challenges, is valued, included, and empowered to reach their full potential. We envision a society that celebrates diversity, embraces inclusion, and fosters a culture of respect, dignity, and opportunity for all.
Mandate
To provide comprehensive support and advocacy for individuals with diverse abilities, empowering them to lead fulfilling lives and participate actively in their communities. We are committed to promoting inclusion, accessibility, and equality of opportunity for individuals of all abilities, ensuring they receive the support and resources necessary to thrive and achieve their goals bearing in mind always, the strengths of the individual.
Values Statement
At Personal Lifestyle Support Inc., we are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where persons receiving support are valued, respected, and empowered to live their best life. We recognize the rights and dignity of every individual, regardless of their abilities or challenges, and we believe that everyone has the right to fully participate in and contribute to our community.
Continuous Learning and Improvement
We are committed to ongoing learning and improvement in our efforts to support persons with diverse abilities. We actively seek feedback from persons receiving support, their families and or home share providers and stakeholders, evaluate the effectiveness of our programs and services, and adapt our practices to better meet the evolving needs of the community.
Collaboration and Partnership
We believe in the power of collaboration and partnership to maximize our impact and create positive change for persons with diverse abilities. We work closely with individuals, families, organizations, and government agencies to coordinate resources, share expertise, and address common challenges.
Core Values:
Respect and Dignity: We honor the unique experiences, perspectives, and contributions of persons with diverse abilities and always treat them with the utmost respect and dignity.
Inclusion and Accessibility: We strive to create inclusive spaces and remove barriers that prevent persons with diverse abilities from fully participating in community life. We are committed to ensuring accessibility in our physical environments, programs, and services.
Empowerment and Self-Determination: We empower persons with diverse abilities to make their own choices, express their preferences, and pursue their goals and aspirations. We respect their right to self-determination and support them in having a choice over their lives.
Equity and Social Justice: We advocate for equity and social justice for persons with diverse abilities, recognizing and addressing the systemic barriers and inequalities they face. We work collaboratively with stakeholders to promote policies and practices that advance the rights and well-being of persons with diverse abilities.
Collaboration and Partnership: We believe in the power of collaboration and partnership to maximize our impact and create positive change for persons with diverse abilities. We work closely with individuals, families, organizations, and government agencies to coordinate resources, share expertise, and address common challenges.
Continuous Learning and Improvement: We are committed to ongoing learning and improvement in our efforts to support persons with diverse abilities. We actively seek feedback from persons receiving support, their families and or home share providers and stakeholders, evaluate the effectiveness of our programs and services, and adapt our practices to better meet the evolving needs of the community.
Guiding Principles:
· Promote awareness and understanding of disability rights and issues within the community.
· Provide comprehensive and person-centered support services that enhance the independence, well-being, and quality of life of persons with diverse abilities.
· Foster meaningful social connections and opportunities for persons with diverse abilities to engage with others and build strong, supportive networks.
· Advocate for the removal of physical, social, and attitudinal barriers that limit the full participation of persons with diverse abilities in all aspects of community life.
By embracing these core values and principles, we are dedicated to creating a community where persons with diverse abilities are valued, included, and empowered to reach their full potential.
This value statement reflects a commitment to promoting the rights, dignity, and well-being of persons with diverse abilities within the community, while also outlining the guiding principles and actions necessary to realize this vision.