CASA History

 

2010  

CASA's Accreditation status was renewed by Accreditation Canada.

CASA launched two new programs:

  • Community Geographic Team
  • Regional Infant & Preschool Assessment and Intervention Clinic

2009

On September 1st, CASA was presented the keys to the new CASA House in Sherwood Park and began operations in this new facility on October 4th.

 

CASA services in Fort McMurray expanded to include a six-bed Transitional Group Care program and three-bed Supported Independent Living program.

2008

CASA purchased St. Agnes School, which we refer to as CASA Centre, the main site for CASA's service delivery.

2007

CASA was awarded a Three Year Accreditation status by the  Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation with the Adolescent Day Program recognized for leading practice in family therapy.

 

The CASA Foundation was restructured as an integral part of CASA to optimize fund development. CASA’s visual identity was updated to express more clearly the nature of CASA’s work.

2006

CASA celebrated its 15th year of operations.

CASA expanded its telemental health services using video conferencing technology to provide psychiatric consultations to the Aspen Health Region. Family Therapy Seminars were also delivered using video conferencing technology, thus providing a new opportunity for professional development to individuals in distant rural communities.

CASA achieved a five-year Collective Agreement with the Health Sciences Association of Alberta.

2005

Having worked with Capital Health and Alberta Infrastructure for some time to address its pressing need for new facilities, CASA received approval for the construction of a new CASA House facility to be completed by 2009 and located in Sherwood Park.

2004

CASA was awarded a Three Year Accreditation status by the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation. CCHSA recognized CASA House as a model of leading practice in the delivery of safe, efficient services and acknowledged its program with a gold star rating.

CASA participated in the development of the Provincial Mental Health Plan approved in May 2004. This plan outlines the vision and establishes the priorities for mental health services in Alberta.

2003

On April 1, 2003, responsibility for mental health services was transferred from the Alberta Mental Health Board to the Regional Health Authorities establishing responsibility within Capital Health for CASA’s core grants.

With initial funding support from the Edmonton Community Foundation, CASA enhanced its trauma treatment program for severely traumatized children in the permanent care of Children’s Services.

2002

CASA expanded its support to Head Start programs and Home Visitation programs through the Early Childhood Development Initiative funded by Region 6 Children’s Services.

2001

CASA expanded its research team through a project with the McMaster University’s Canadian Centre for Studies of Children at Risk and a joint appointment with the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

CASA was again awarded a Three Year Accreditation Status.

2000

With funding provided by the AMHB through the Provincial Children’s Mental Health Initiative, CASA introduced a new intensive day treatment program for 6 to 12 year old children with severe psychiatric and behavioural difficulties. CASA also increased its residential treatment beds and began an internship program for the development of professionals in child and adolescent mental health.

1999

CASA actively participated in the Review of the Organization and Delivery of Children’s Mental Health Services in Edmonton, completed in August by Dr. Paul Steinhauer. This review and its recommendations are documented in a very important report now referred to as “The Steinhauer Report.” CASA Annual Report 2006 – 2007, 11

1998

CASA introduced a number of outreach programs to increase accessibility to services. These were made possible through funding from the Alberta Mental Health Board complemented by program funding from Capital Health and Foundation grants.

CASA completed its first Collective Agreement.

CASA was again awarded a Three Year Accreditation status.

The CASA Foundation was created to raise funds for the support of children’s mental health programs.

1997

CASA began to offer mental health services to children in the Edmonton Head Start program with funding from the Capital Health Authority.

1995

CASA was awarded a Three Year Accreditation status by the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation.

1992

The CASA Board signed a Tripartite Affiliation Agreement with the University of Alberta and the University of Alberta Hospitals. This agreement facilitates coordinated care and treatment for children and adolescents with mental health needs in the Edmonton Region. It also facilitates the education of undergraduate and graduate students and supports research in the area of child and adolescent mental health.

1991

The CASA Board assumed responsibility for program delivery as the government transferred community-based child and adolescent mental health services to CASA with a core operating grant of $2,327,193. During its first year of operation:

  • a total of 950 children and adolescents were treated.
  • non-residential programs relocated from St. Joan’s School to St. Agnes School.
  • a preschool program was developed as a pilot project funded by the Edmonton Community Foundation. The preschool program has since been an integral part of CASA’s services.

1989

CASA was incorporated under the Companies Act of Alberta following approval by the Minister of Health of the transfer of community-based child and adolescent mental health services under one community board. This administrative integration of programs under one umbrella was promoted by a group of community advocates and visionary leaders which included Mary Hyndman, Margaret Shone, Murray Sheckter and Dr. Maurice Blackman.

1985

A special treatment unit, CASA House, was opened on the grounds of what is now the Yellowhead Youth Centre.

1980

Edmonton Regional Mental Health Services invited those involved in the after school program to form a team to develop treatment programs for adolescents which then became part of Mental Health Services.

1978

An after school program was started by the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alberta Hospital.