Diploma Program

Community Support Worker

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Program Overview

Are you a passionate person who dreams of a career where you can feel good about the work you do each day? Becoming a community support worker (CSW) is a fulfilling career that allows you to engage with your community on a direct level by helping those who are struggling. Community support workers are currently in high demand, so if you have been considering a career change, now is the time.

SELC’s Community Support Worker Program is an exciting educational experience complete with passionate, experienced instructors who reflect the standards set out by today’s human services industry. In this program, students learn how to effectively provide multi-faceted support to individuals experiencing mental health issues, emotional abuse, physical/sensory impairments, developmental disabilities, and addiction disorders.

The program offers flexibility for those who have other responsibilities. There are opportunities to study online or on campus with different schedule options, which means that your learning happens on your terms to fit with the rest of your life.

There is currently a great need for CSWs in our communities. SELC’s diploma program covers concepts such as psychosocial rehabilitation, indigenous perspectives on rehabilitation and healing, addiction theories, and recovery and relapse prevention. Students will learn how to conduct needs assessments and operate from a strengths-based perspective.

Through their education in this program, students gain a better understanding of oppressed and marginalized populations such as Indigenous populations, the elderly, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and persons with disabilities.

As this is an applied program, students will be transferring the skills they learn in class to authentic support worker environments. Students will be spending part of their program in a practical work setting, and participating in community outreach/support to clients. Additionally, students will be required to take a community resource and networking course prior to the start of their practicums. This will allow students to enter into a practical experience with community insights that will only serve them well in their new careers.

Students who choose our Social Services program will focus on learning to support marginalized communities and vulnerable individuals in order to build healthy, thriving communities. Social service workers can be employed by social service and government agencies, mental health agencies, shelters, school boards, substance abuse centres, group homes, correctional facilities, and other establishments where they help the community through the facilitation of various social assistance programs.

Career Opportunities

Example Job Titles:
Completion Requirements

Successful Completion Of All On-Campus Courses With A 60% Overall Average.

Successful Completion Of Their Work Experience.

Successful Completion Of All Industry-Certified Courses Provided During The Program.

Successful Completion Of All Practice Education Components.

Students Must Achieve A Minimum Pass Rate Of 60% On All Final Exams And Projects.

Students Must Also Maintain A Minimum Of 80% Attendance Throughout Each Course's Duration In The Program.

Students Are Expected To Complete All Course Exams, Quizzes And Assignments, And Participate In All Discussions And Activities.

Students Must Complete The Assigned Co-Op Report To Be Submitted One Week After Completing Their Co-Op Placement And Achieving A Satisfactory Grade (S) To Receive Their Formal Diploma.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

English Requirements:

Students require ALL of the following:

Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency for domestic students

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and completion of high-school studies and/or commencement of post-secondary studies OR have achieved MATURE STUDENT STATUS: 19 years of age, out of secondary school for a minimum of 1 year with program industry experience minimum of 100 hours

Criminal Record Check

ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

Program Duration

  • 33 weeks - total of 720 hours
  • Total Instruction 600 hours
  • Total Practicum 120 hours

*Program Pending PTIB Approval

QUICK LINKS

Courses

Developmental Psychology I

Developmental Psychology II

Fundamentals Of Poverty

Fundamentals Of Mental Health

Applied Behavioral Analysis For Community Support Workers

Exploring Developmental Disabilities

Supporting Indigenous Clients In The Community

Advocacy And Empowerment

Professional Ethics For Human Service Workers

Basic Pharmacology & Medication Management

Career Success I

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program the successful, student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

Empower Those Who Have Developmental Disabilities And/Or Comorbid Conditions-Focusing On Self-Determination And Community Independence

Promote The Development Of Clients’ Mental, Physical, Emotional, And Spiritual Health

Prepare Individuals To Participate Fully In The Community Offering Support In The Least Restrictive Ways Possible

Teach Clients Valuable Skills Such As Conflict Management, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Prosocial Decision-Making,Crisis Management, And How To Create Healthy Boundaries

Participate In Community Resource And Networking

Support Individuals With Serious Mental Health Conditions, Including Psychotic Disorders

Advocate For Historically Oppressed And Marginalized Populations Such As Indigenous Clients, And LGBTQIA2S+ Individuals

Communicate To Clients With Communication Disorders Using A Variety Of Augmentative And Alternative Communication Devices/Adaptive Technology

Evaluation

A passing grade of 60% consisting of Final Exam, Midterm Project, Group Presentation, Quizzes, and Assignments

This program is under pending approval by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training.

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