Community Services Worker

Using a Canadian focus, students will learn how different substances of abuse work in the body and the brain. The course outlines multiple theories of addiction as well as treatment methods available in the Canadian healthcare system. Students will gain an analytical view of the addictions field in order to properly assess and plan for treatment.

This course is designed to enhance the components of written and verbal communication in the Community Service field. The course discusses topics related specifically to the job duties and requirements of a Community Service Worker working in agencies mandating documentation, case management, and workshop or seminar presentations.

In this course, students will look at interviewing strategies in counselling from a Canadian perspective. Students will be introduced to basic concepts of the Person-Centred model of counselling to help understand the theory and reasoning behind the use of interviewing counselling skills. Students will see realistic examples that illustrate concepts in action. The student will also participate in challenging exercises that promote skill development, conceptual understand and self-awareness. Students will learn about the Canadian Counselling Association and the Canadian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics as well as counselling within a culturally diverse setting.

This module introduces tools for planning and preparing for a successful job search, so that students can maintain a career-focused approach throughout their education program. Students will learn how to research opportunities and network for industry contacts, and use appropriate etiquette when communicating with prospective employers. Students will identify their personal skills, values and preferences for the workplace, begin preparation of a professional resume, cover letter, thank you note and references. Class discussions on various self-management topics introduced in Student Success Strategies will round out this module, which is a pre-requisite for Career Planning and Preparation – Level 2.

This module continues to build on the concepts and skills introduced in Career Planning and Preparation - Level I. Students will learn how to conduct an effective job search and identify various methods of applying for work with today’s technology. Students will create a personal list of “Top Employers” and target current industry opportunities, while finalizing their professional resume, portfolio and career correspondence. Students will learn to identify the different types and forms of interviews, practice responding to typical questions, and practice follow-up, evaluation and negotiation techniques they can use to ensure success. Self-management topics from Career Planning and Preparation - Level I will be reviewed, with a focus towards on-the-job success in both learner placements and post-graduate employment.

This course will introduce you to and provide practice in using the tools required for a successful job search. The concepts covered in this course will help you maintain a career-focused approach throughout your studies so that you are better prepared to conduct a job search after graduating. Specifically, you will learn how to identify your soft and hard skills and how to articulate your abilities in a clear and concise Elevator Pitch that will appeal to employers and resonate with industry contacts. You will learn about the job search resources available to you including using career websites, creating LinkedIn profiles, accessing the “hidden” job market, and networking. You will examine sample résumés and cover letters and begin the process of creating your own professional résumés and cover letters that align with current conventions for content, organization, and formatting. You will also learn about the role of references, thank you letters, workplace philosophies, and strategies for success including maintaining a professional image and using proper etiquette when communicating with potential employers and industry contacts.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will achieve the St. John's Ambulance Standard Level First Aid and Level C CPR.

This course will focus on crime and criminal behaviour from a Canadian perspective. Topics include theoretical perspectives of criminal behaviour, the evolution of crime and criminal behaviour over time, and societal implications of criminality. Discussions will include current, Canadian examples of crime, as well as diverse sociological perspectives on criminal behaviour around the world.

At the completion of the in-class portion of this program, students are required to attend an 8 week Internship (minimum 200 hours) in a community or social service agency or organization.

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and principles of learning and working in a digital environment. This course will cover the following elements: using devices and handling information, creating and editing information, communicating and collaborating, and being safe and responsible online.

This course studies the Canadian family using a sociological, psychological and demographic approach. The course examines contemporary theoretical views central to understanding intimate groups, family groups and systems. The course provides the content and the knowledge necessary to understanding the modern Canadian family, including history and cultural diversity, same sex unions, Aboriginal families, economic changes, homelessness and other social trends. The course also addresses social policy regarding the family system.

This course will highlight interaction processes and interdependence within various kinds of groups. With a focus on relationship building, trust, constructive controversies and problem solving, Group Work and Human Relations teaches the proper procedures in creating and maintaining positive, high functioning, cooperative learning groups in Human Services.

Students will focus on the mental health system in Canada, including history and its current delivery. This course explores ethical and legal considerations in the mental health system & how to assess and intervene using the Recovery Model. The importance of community treatment, self determination and recovery based, consumer-led programming are the main focus of the course.

In this section, students will study human development from infancy, childhood, adolescence, early, middle and late adulthood; and the end of life. Students will look at development from a Canadian perspective and the distinctiveness that being Canadian has on our development.

In this course, students will research and understand the profile of the local community. Students will look at local history, geography, transportation, population characteristics, and employment, housing, education, health and welfare resources. They will learn about the High Risk Populations in Canadian society and look at programs for these specific target groups in a counseling context.

Introducing the field of psychology, this course will define and explore concepts related to biology, perception, cognition, memory and learning. Students will explore how a person’s biology, personality and environment interplay to create unique individual beings in our world.

Introduction to Sociology will complement information discussed in other Community Services Worker courses. Students will learn how the structural aspects of society will affect groups, populations and individuals. Topics discussed will include culture, diversity, religion, deviance, and popular trends in secular society.

This course stresses the importance of developing non-technical skills to enhance personal, academic and career success. This includes understanding learning styles and honing practical study skills, such as memory, reading, note- and test-taking techniques. Personal exercises will focus on teamwork, decision making and problem solving skills, setting goals and maintaining a positive attitude techniques for managing change, stress and conflict will also be explored.