Universal Rehabilitation Service Agency (URSA) was incorporated as a non-profit charitable company in November 1985 in a direct response to the closing of Baker Centre. We began our history with successfully transitioning 30 individuals with developmental disabilities to URSA to 5 homes that were built by the Government and continue to operate these homes in partnership with Alberta Infrastructure. The beginning of URSA’s programming was built on serving individuals (children and adults) with high medical needs who many felt would not be successful living outside of an institution. Our focus is on creating a home environment and atmosphere which had a positive effect in ways that we did not anticipate. For example, many of the original 30 individuals who transitioned to URSA were on nutrient supplements and within a year, many of them had to be placed on diets. This was due to the home-like environment at URSA where meals were cooked and eaten together and daily chores such as meal preparation and laundry were completed with the individuals. These individuals were also integrated into the community and every attempt was made to ensure they had access to all community services such as hairdressers, medical appointments, shopping trips, and a myriad of community-based recreation and leisure pursuits. Many of the original clients remain at URSA and are successfully aging in place in a true HOME.

Since the 80’s, we have been successful in opening new programs based on identified gaps in the community, such as Easy Street, our Brain Injury Services and most recently, two homes to support medically complex children, one of which is through Children Services and the other a transition from hospital to home in partnership with AHS. URSA believes in providing services where no other services exist and in response to community need. The organization’s mission is “To develop and provide opportunity for individuals with disabilities to attain a personal level of achievement and excellence in life.” The mission and vision are evident from the opening of the first 5 homes, to now a continuum of services ranging from Brain Injury Services, Camp URSA, Indigenous Services and our newest programs serving children with complex medical needs. We believe allowing individuals to be integrated in community, to have a place to call home and to have the supports to meet developmental milestones with a focus on increasing quality of life. Our current 24 programs include:

•19 overnight staffed residences for adults and children with developmental disabilities and complex medical needs.
•Kootenay Lodge, a vital supported housing program serving Indigenous individuals who have developmental disabilities, addictions and are at risk of homelessness.
•Respite services offered at URSA include residential spaces for children and adults with medical complexities.
•2 specialized medical homes for medically fragile children including tracheostomy and ventilator care staffed with nursing supports.
•A variety of day program options for adults with developmental disabilities (both in their home, on-site programs, in the community and 24-hour wrap around services).
•Camp URSA, an accessible retreat center located north of Cochrane, AB, that provides an affordable vacation destination for the individuals with disabilities and their families.
•Supports for Brain Injury Survivors, including 25 subsidized apartments that provide light touch support or 24-hour staffing.
•In-home support programs for brain injury survivors and their support networks.
•Assessment and day program services for brain injury survivors at Easy Street and in the community.

URSA believes the following principles should be adhered to when developing services:

Wholistic – An approach that considers the “whole” person and includes their social and spiritual needs, emotional well-being, and family and community involvement to enhance all aspects of their lives. Individual needs and preferences are met first and foremost.

Voice and Choice – URSA strives to ensure that through its care planning and provision of service, individual rights are understood, acknowledged, respected, and upheld. Individual needs and preferences are met first and foremost.

Growth and Resilience – Personal growth must be encouraged. At URSA we encourage and work to support people in their personal growth and development by offering ways to build and enhance inherent skills and abilities. In this pursuit of growth and development across areas, URSA seeks to improve self-confidence, perseverance, and hope for individuals and staff. We build resilience, strengthening people’s ability to overcome obstacles and bounce back when faced with adversity.

Equity for all – URSA works to remove barriers to community resources and provides opportunities to foster equity and inclusion for all individuals regardless of differential needs, assets, or experiences.

Natural Supports – Family Participation is Crucial. URSA recognizes the essential role that family and natural supports play in the health, happiness, and longer-term well-being of the individuals that we serve. We work to foster a family atmosphere and engage natural supports in care planning and to strengthen social support networks for these families and their loved ones.

Trauma-informed – A Trauma-Informed approach recognizes the role trauma may play in an individual’s life – including families, natural supports, and staff. URSA is committed to working through a trauma lens minimizing potential barriers and building staff capacity to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma to prevent re-traumatization and enhance quality of life as they move forward.

Individuals in service at URSA range in age from infants to over 70+ years. All facilities that URSA operates are wheelchair accessible and programs are set up to meet complex needs and allow individuals to successfully age in place. All services and supports provided by URSA align with the Quality-of-Life Framework and Alberta’s Social Policy Framework. URSA is accredited through CARF, and all the homes are licensed through Supported Living and Accommodation Standards and Licensing, audited on PDD Safety Standards, or are licensed through Child and Family Services.

Donations to URSA always go to the area of greatest need, which is directly for the individuals in our service to ensure that they have specialized equipment and supplies to live successfully in the community. Additionally, we also look to community to support us with some infrastructure needs to ensure that our homes are tastefully decorated and furnished, that we have the IT systems in place to support efficiency and facilitate effective communication, and to address capital needs for URSA owned homes.