Community Support Worker - Associate Certificate
Overview
An exciting professional development opportunity for experienced support workers!
Flexible Learning
The Community Support Worker (CSW) Associate Certificate is an option available only to experienced, employed learners. Eligible students take six Education Assistant & Community Support Worker (EACSW) courses to receive their CSW Associate Certificate and they then have the opportunity to ladder into the EACSW regular certificate program if they choose to continue their education.
Further Education Opportunities
CSW Associate Certificate can lead to entrance into the EACSW Program. After completing the EACSW requirements, graduates can then continue towards a second year in the Human Services Diploma, laddering into University Degree programs in Child and Youth Care, Social Work or Community Rehabilitation.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate professionalism in practice consistent with the code of ethics and standards of practice of their respective disciplines
- Use effective interpersonal skills including active listening, collaboration, self-awareness and conflict resolution within multi-faceted roles and contexts
- Understand and respect cultural differences and multiple ways of knowing
- Practice from an ethic of inclusivity
- Establish and maintain wellness strategies to assure work/life balance both personally and professionally
- Engage in critical thinking, problem-solving and reflective practice
Admission Requirements
Potential candidates must be currently employed with a local community living organization and have a minimum of three years of full-time equivalent employment in the field.
- English 12, or equivalent, with a minimum of 60% or higher or a minimum LPI score of Level 4
Applicants will submit:
- A letter from their employer stating their current position and employment history
- A current resumé
- Official transcripts from previous educational settings and demonstration of college-level English requirement (unless special consideration)
- Two letters of reference
- A 250-word (one typed page) summary stating why they are interested in entering the program
Courses
EACS155 - Foundations Of Practice
EACS 155 Foundations of Practice introduces students to the theory and philosophical perspectives necessary for working with individuals who are challenged by a disabling condition. Values regarding service delivery are explored through an historical review of the disability movement and an examination of new initiatives and trends. This course also examines the role of unions, advocacy and policy and procedures in support services and introduces students to professionals from various professional infrastructure sectors including licensing and ministry personnel. Through personal reflection and research, the roots of person centered support will be explored and students will develop their own personal and professional philosophy of support work.
EACS156 - Support Strategies
EACS 156 Support Strategies focuses on support strategies used with individuals who have disabilities. The analysis and understanding of behaviour as a means of communication is explored. Strategies are learned and practiced in context to support individuals with the development of pro-social skills, life, vocational, and academic skills. An awareness of issues related to healthy sexuality and the ethics of touch are explored. Emphasis is placed on the ethics of support work and effective implementation of strategies to support individuals with disabilities to be as independent as possible.
EACS161 - Person-Centred Planning
EACS 161 Person-Centered Planning focuses on the need for planning, advantages and disadvantages of planning and the key elements of the planning process. The course examines how to identify and obtain information relevant to planning, formulation of long and short-term objectives, prioritization of objectives, and translation of objectives into action. Emphasis is placed on viewing, planning as a dynamic process, and analysis of human interaction as part of the planning process. Models for structuring positive interaction of all planning team members are reviewed.
EACS165 - Health and Wellness
EACS 165 Health and Wellness is designed to introduce the essential concepts of health and wellness with emphasis on six dimensions of wellness including: emotional, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, social and physical. Students will examine health and wellness from two perspectives. The first includes the examination of wellness in the students' lives with emphasis on developing strategies to increase resiliency and well being in the work place. The second dimension will focus on ways in which the wellness of others can be enhanced in a respectful, person-centred way that values personal choice and preferences. The course will emphasize the importance of lifestyle changes being self-directed and on understanding ways in which we can support change in others and ourselves. Lecture, interactive exercises and group discussions will be used to explore a variety of topics including: stress management, diet and nutrition, ageing, intimacy and relationships, immunity, safety, lifestyle, developing relationships and quality of life. The importance of professional accountability and authenticity in supporting the wellness of others will be emphasized.
EACS170 - Augmentative Communication
EACS 170 Augmentative Communication explores the alternative forms of communications for people with little or no speech. Non-speech communication programming is examined through review of normal and disordered language and the strengths and weaknesses of various augmentative communication systems. Communication systems studied include sign language and other manual systems, pictogram/ideogram communication and electronic systems.
FAM180 - Family Dynamics
FAM 180 Family Dynamics is designed to provide students with a variety of theoretical perspectives to understanding families. It considers the diversity of families through the lenses of the life course perspective and political policies. Family formation, parenting, separation and divorce and aging are all examined. Family issues are also considered, including marriage and death rituals, work and poverty, same sex relationships, disabilities and immigrants. Policies that affect families are explored through an examination of violence in the family and political trends. The course is intended to be a foundation for further study of families.
HSER174 - Interpersonal Communications
HSER 174 Interpersonal Communications provides the student with an opportunity to examine personal goals, values and attitudes; develop and practice listening and responding skills, and become more aware of personal strengths and limitations. This course is designed to help students gain self-understanding in order to be more effective in working with people.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic
All amounts are estimates and are subject to change. Tuition amounts are based on a full-time course load. Please note that many programs have additional costs beyond those listed here. For more information, please visit Tuition & Fees.
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