Education Assistant and Community Support Worker - Certificate
Overview
Do you want a rewarding and challenging career and have a strong desire to support others? As an education assistant & community support worker, you will work with children and adults living with disabilities, their families, teachers and other support professionals.
Consider this program if you are:
- Caring and empathetic
- Genuinely interested in working with people
- Comfortable advocating for others
- Flexible and able to adapt to diversity
- A good communicator
Prepare for Leadership
- Get ready for work as an educational assistant, community support worker or job coach.
- Be prepared for lifelong learning and continued post-secondary education.
- Foster your commitment to personal and professional wellness.
- Develop your working knowledge of the importance of community partnerships.
Develop skills in knowledge (head), a solid value base (heart) and professional skills practice (hands). Assist others with life skills, recreation, residential and supported employment.
![A person sits at a desk](/sites/default/files/styles/1_1_scale_and_crop_medium/public/images/selkirk-college-education-assistant-community-support-worker-testimonia-900x900.jpg?h=cd2a7045&itok=6axem9R8)
work with but also for myself and my larger community of practice.
Future Opportunities
Your Education Assistant & Community Support Worker Program Certificate serves as your prerequisite for entry into the following Human Services Diploma Specialty for a total of two years of study at Selkirk College:
The Social Service Worker Human Services Diploma Specialty can be taken by Education Assistant & Community Support Worker Program graduates, but additional bridging courses are required. This program also transfers to related universities.
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
Official transcripts from high school or post-secondary institutions (mailed directly from the Ministry of Education and educational institutions) showing the following:
- High school graduation or equivalent (mature students are welcome to apply)
- English Studies 12 or equivalent with a minimum of 60% or higher
- Two completed personal reference forms
- 30-hour work experience form completed by a supervisor who has observed the applicant in a volunteer or paid work situation is required
- Proof of a negative tuberculosis test or of a clear chest X-ray that is less than 6 months old for those who have been requested to have this from our community partners
- A current criminal record check from the Ministry of Justice must be completed within 90 days of program start date. Some types of criminal records may limit or prohibit acceptance in field placement; acceptance into field placement is a requirement for program promotion.
- Current resumé
- Personal statement of interest (250 words)
An orientation session is required and will be arranged by the program designate.
Students applying to the diploma program immediately following completion of a Human Services certificate program, may request that the contents of their file be transferred.
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. CERTIFICATE, ADVANCED CERTIFICATE& DIPLOMA PROGRAMS
Students applying to the diploma program immediately following completion of a Human Services Certificate Program, may request that the contents of their file be transferred.
2. PART-TIME STUDIES IN HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS
a) Acceptance to an individual course does not constitute admission to the program. All program admissions will be considered according to Part I, A: Admissions Requirements.
b) The ECCE, EACSW, SSW Certificate programs and the Human Services Diploma program may be completed on a part-time basis depending on number of spaces available. Students choosing to complete a program on a part time basis must meet with a program coordinator, councillor and/or School Chair at the time of acceptance to plan a course of studies.
c) Students who have been accepted for part time studies and are in good standing academically will normally be accepted upon re-application to the next term. Refer to Part II, Section B, Promotions re: academic requirements.
In order to receive your credential in your program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 and a minimum of 60% or better in all semester courses.
B. PROMOTION
1. In order to progress to the next semester, the following requirements must be met.
a) Completion of all courses in the semester with a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.00 and a grade of a “C” or better in all semester courses.
b) Promotion to the second year of the Diploma program requires a cumulative GPA of 2.33 during the first year of studies or School Chair approval
2. Promotion to practicum will be determined by the following criteria:
a) A grade of "C" or better in all required courses as defined in Part II, C, Graduation Requirements.
b) Some types of criminal records may limit or prohibit a student's acceptance in field placement agencies. Ability to be accepted into field placement is a requirement for admission and promotion.
3. A student’s performance will be reviewed by program faculty when:
a) Grades in one or more courses fall below a “C”.
b) Unacceptable behaviour, inappropriate interpersonal skills, and/or patterns of absence are displayed (as outlined in program policies).
c) On probation.
4. Considerations for practicum placement:
a) Practicum placements are normally completed within the College region.
b) To avoid a conflict of interest, students are expected to inform instructors of agencies where family and/or personal connections exist.
c) Practicum placements will be arranged by a program instructor.
d) Agency staff will be informed if a student has refused to sign a waiver authorizing the College to share personal information about the student with agency staff.
5. Students will not be placed in practicum based on the following:
a) The student has not demonstrated readiness for practicum placement.
b) Two agencies refuse to accept the student in practicum placement.
c) The student lacks means of transportation.
6. Practicum evaluation will be based on:
a) A review of the student's performance in relation to stated course competencies.
b) A joint review comprised of college instructor, agency supervisor and student.
c) Completed practicum assignments.
In order to graduate with Honors students must meet all program requirements with no grades less than a B- and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
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.
EACS160 - Classroom Support Strategies
EACS 160 Classroom Support Strategies I focuses on the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for paraprofessionals to perform their roles and responsibilities as members of a multidisciplinary team to integrate all children into inclusive school settings.
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.
EACS157 - Challenging Conditions
EACS 157 Challenging Conditions introduces students to the impact of specific challenging conditions on the individual, the family and the service providers' practice. Four foundational questions are addressed for each topic:
a. What is it?
b. What can it look like (describing a continuum)
c. What can we do with what we know? (basic skills)
d. Where can we find out more (critical thinking about resources)
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.
EACS195 - Practicum I
EACS 195 Practicum I provides students with an opportunity to work and observe in an educational or community living setting under the direction of college instructors and on-site staff. The focus of this practicum is to provide students with an opportunity to interact with children or adults with challenging conditions, to develop objective documentation skills and to observe the techniques and procedures used by on-site staff. This is a 17-day practicum beginning with two preparation days.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic
International
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.
Policy
Effective Term:
FallEffective Year:
20240801Advanced Standing:
ADVANCE OR TRANSFER CREDIT
a) Transfer credit will be given for university transfer courses equivalent to Selkirk College courses, providing a grade of "C" or better was achieved.
b) Applications for transfer credit from other ECCE, SSW or EACSW programs will be reviewed with provincial articulation agreements and considered on an individual basis; applicants may be required to provide detailed course outlines.
PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT (PLA)
a) Advance credit in core program courses (i.e., SSW, ECCE, EACSW and HSER) may be granted by the School Chair or designate after evaluation of the applicant’s mastery of course objectives. See program specific guidelines for PLA.
b) Credit for Final Practicum will not be awarded through PLA in Human Services programs.
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Re-Entry Instructions:
1. An application is required for enrolment in program courses in subsequent years.
2. Normally, students who must interrupt their program may apply for re-admission, within one year of departure, on the basis of the following priorities:
a) Students in good standing who interrupted their program for illness or other personal reasons.
b) Students who failed to meet program requirements for promotion.
c) Students transferring from another program within BC.
3. Students who fail to complete a semester successfully may apply to re-enter and repeat the incomplete semester when it is next offered. (Normally, there is a period of 12 months between offerings of a course or semester.)
4. Normally, a student returning in one year or less will retain full credit for all courses previously completed. After more than one year's absence, students may be required to update or repeat courses previously completed. A grade of "C" or credit granted in each repeated course is required for re-entry.
5. Students who withdraw for medical or psychological reasons will provide evidence to the School Chair from a licensed practitioner regarding the suitability of his/her return to the program.
6. Students must complete the program in its entirety within 60 calendar months from the time of initial entry into the program.
7. Students who have successfully completed their Selkirk College Human Services certificate within the previous year are considered to be a re-entry student.
8. Re-entry full-time students who have successfully completed their previous year are given priority over part time students.
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Grading Table:
Other
Types of Assessments:
Assignments
(i) A minimum of three evaluative events will occur as specified in course outlines.
(ii) Students are evaluated and graded in each subject or course topic as indicated in the respective course outline.
(iii) Assignments are due on the date stated on course or assignment outlines. A student may request one extension per course. The request must be made in writing no less than 24 hours before the due date. If the instructor grants permission for the extension the revised due date will be determined by the instructor.
(iv) Under extenuating circumstances further requests for extensions may be granted only after the student has participated in a mandatory consultation with the Department Head of Student Access and Support or designate and has presented the instructor with a written plan outlining how they intend to complete their work in a timely manner.
(v) A penalty of 10% per day will be assessed against late assignments. All assignments must be handed in by the last day of classes in order to achieve a passing grade and advance to the practicum.
(vi) All course assignments must be completed to achieve a passing grade.
(vii) All assignments must be typed.
(viii) Students may, at the discretion of the instructor, rewrite a maximum of one assignment per course. Rewrites must be submitted for marking within 14 calendar days of the return of the original assignment to the student. Rewritten assignments will receive a maximum grade of 75%.
(ix) Students are expected to write tests on the designated dates. If, for legitimate absences, the student misses a test, he/she must write the test as soon as possible with the permission of the instructor.
Examinations
(i) Exams, labs, projects, assignments, and other evaluative activities are weighted and averaged as indicated in the respective course outline.
(ii) No single evaluative event shall be worth more than 50% of the final grade.
(iii) For courses involving practicum placements (ECCE 195, 286, 292, 294; SSW 163, 168; EASC 195, 196; HSER 270, 280) evaluation occurs on a continuous basis and graded CRG or NCG as per the Competency Based Selkirk Grading Table in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading. All practicum activities may be considered evaluative events. Informal verbal and/or written feedback is regularly provided by the instructor and practicum supervisors. Depending on the length of the course there may be one or more performance appraisals or evaluations.
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Attendance:
1. Students absent for 20% or more in a given course may be placed on behavioural probation. If a student arrives more than 10 minutes late or leaves more than 10 minutes early, they may be recorded as absent.
2. Students absent from any courses are responsible for the work they have missed and must make up assignments as required.
3. Students are responsible to inform the instructor in advance of any absences.
4. Students participating in on-line classes are expected to access and read all materials posted on their course site. If any aspect of the course has not been opened and/or participated in the student will be considered absent for that class.
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Professional Requirements:
1. Codes of Ethics and Competencies
Students are expected to know, understand and abide by the applicable Codes of Ethics:
a) Child and Youth Care Worker;
b) Social Service Worker;
c) Early Childhood Educator.
d) Education Assistant & Community Support Worker.
2. Guidelines for Professional Conduct
In addition students are expected to consistently demonstrate professional conduct based on the following guidelines:
e) exercise personal discipline, accountability and judgement,
f) accept personal responsibility for continued competency and learning,
g) assist and serve the public, client or patient and place them before oneself,
h) recognize the dignity and worth of all persons in any level of society,
i) assist others in learning,
j) recognize one’s own limitations and areas for development, and
k) maintain confidentiality of information appropriate to the purpose and trust given when that information is acquired.
Professional Conduct will be measured by: one’s professional abilities, personal integrity, and the attitude one demonstrates in relationship with others.
3. Students who violate these professional standards may be required to withdraw from their Program.
4. Students may be required to withdraw when ethical, medical or other reasons interfere with the satisfactory completion of their Program.
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Other Regulations:
RESPONSIBILITIES IN FIELD PRACTICUM PLACEMENTS
1. The selection of practicum placements is the responsibility of the program faculty. Students will not actively seek practicum sites.
2. Students will not provide transportation for clients while on practicum.
3. Students will not administer medications to clients while on practicum.
4. Students without supervision of agency staff will not be responsible for clients when off agency premises unless college instructor approval is given prior to the event. ECCE students, without supervision of agency staff will not be responsible under any circumstance for children off agency premises.
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