Vancouver Island Health Authority, Mental Health and Addictions Services - Kakawis Program Review

"Wave Consulting was engaged by the Vancouver Island Health Authority to perform a review of the Kakawis Family Development Centre Residential Treatment Program. At first, the Board of Director's and myself were somewhat apprehensive and fearful. The evening before the review, I met with the Director of Wave, Dyan Dunsmoor-Farley and Caroline Moore, an associate hired by Wave because of her expertise in Aboriginal issues. Their openess and respectful approach did much to remove my fears. Wave Consulting was at our Centre for two days and it was a very positive experience. We were able to share some of our beliefs and dreams and they were able to begin to understand what our Centre is trying to achieve and to communicate that to the funder. They were very courteous and respectful and they displayed tact, friendliness and honesty. We would welcome them again as some of the suggestions and recommendations for program improvement have been very helpful."

Wave was contracted to review and make recommendations concerning the effectiveness of the Kakawis Family Development Centre Residential Treatment Program. The objective of the review was to evaluate the treatment program costs, design and delivery according to best practices, both administrative and programmatic, and to recommend changes.

Sadie Greenaway, Executive Director

"The Vancouver Island Health Authority Mental Health and Addictions Program contracted with Wave Consulting to conduct the Kakawis Program Review. Dyan and Caroline's knowledge and experience of the Aboriginal culture and issues provided a sensitive, respectful, focused and informed process to the review of this unique program. The result was an informative report with a summary and with recommendations that were thoughtful, practical, and achievable and that will be most useful in making decisions about this program. The consultants were organized, focused and efficient and collaborated with management, the Kakawis staff and other service providers throughout the process.

I would not hesitate to utilize the services of Wave Consulting in the future."

Margaret Fraser
Manager, Community and Residential Services
Mental Health and Addictions
Central/North Island

Arts Umbrella

Arts Umbrella, a Vancouver-based arts education organization serving 30,000 children annually, engaged Wave Consulting Ltd to design an evaluation process for its key government-funded outreach programs. The work included identification of stakeholder needs and expectations; identifying the desired systems level and program outcomes consistent with the funders' objectives; designing a methodology and evaluation tools that could be implemented primarily by staff; and, preparing an implementation plan.

Arts Umbrella is Canada’s preeminent visual and performing arts institute for young people. With innovative instruction in dance, visual and media arts, theatre and music, Arts Umbrella caters to kids of all artistic interests and skill levels – from pre-school to pre-professional training.  In 2005, Arts Umbrella engaged the services of Wave Consulting Ltd. to create an evaluation framework to assess its outreach programs. Subsequently, Wave has conducted several program evaluations for the organization.

We have found Dyan Dunsmoor-Farley's approach with staff, students and stakeholders to be professional and inclusive.  She is always prepared and her skills as a facilitator are exceptional.  Dyan's evaluation framework has proven to be an invaluable tool for the organization.

Geraldine Parent

Director, Programming, Arts Umbrella