Human Services Diploma: Social Service Worker (SSW) Specialty

This course introduces students to the concepts of theory and practice in Human Services and the interrelationship between the two. A number of theoretical perspectives on change, such as developmental, feminist and multicultural, are explored both from a Social Work and Child and Youth Care practice perspective. Each approach offers a basis for understanding the change process and supporting behavioural change. These approaches offer the basis for developing a beginning of an integrated knowledge base for approaching practice.

Prerequisites:

HS Certificate or Instructor’s permission.

This course is designed to assist the student to develop self-awareness as a helper and to develop both an understanding and a beginning level of skill. Students are required to participate in exercises, role plays, simulations and video taping in interviews and counselling in order to accomplish the course objectives.

Prerequisites:

HS Certificate or Instructor's permission.

Issues in Youth will explore the issues that face those in adolescence and early adulthood in various societies. 'Adolescence' and 'early adulthood' are terms used to describe a time of life in which major developmental and social changes occur. An exploration of adolescence and early adulthood, and the issues that are unique to these stages of life in various societies will occur. Students will be exposed to theories of adolescence, issues of gender, sociological explanations of existing issues, and to local and international programs designed to address these issues.

Prerequisites:

ENGL 110.

This course is available via Distance Education.

An introduction to normal child development, this course explores selected aspects of the physical, cognitive, emotional, and moral development of children from birth to adolescence; and examines the major theories of child development.

Prerequisites:

PSYC 100/101 or equivalent or written permission of the Instructor and School Chair.

This course is available via Distance Education.

Contemporary Issues in Gerontology will provide students with an understanding of how the process of aging affects individuals and how an aging population affects and influences Canadian society. Aging will be examined within historical, contemporary and culture contexts. Topics will include aging and health, aging demographics, the psychology and sociology of aging, finances and economics, retirement, leisure, housing and transportation, and family social supports. Participants will have the opportunity to identify and examine their personal beliefs and values about the aging process throughout the course.

Prerequisites:

Certificate/Diploma in any Health or Human Service Discipline is preferred.

This course is available via Distance Education.

The foundations of human services professional practices are explored through an examination of the issues surrounding professional identity, ethical practice, and the interdisciplinary team approach. The skills required for communicating as a professional and as a team member, both oral and written, are developed throughout the course.

Prerequisites:

HS Certificate or Instructor's permission.

Practical Responses to Mental Health and Addictions Problems, provides instruction in a variety of rehabilitative and treatment modalities used in work with marginalized populations. Attitudes toward mental health and substance use problems and how they impact helper effectiveness are explored in a supportive milieu. Evidence-based practices such as Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Harm Reduction are used as frameworks for the development of skills and knowledge. Students are introduced to strategies for overcoming stigma and supporting client empowerment in a variety of community and facility settings.

This course is available via Distance Education.

This ia a directed studies methods course for working with a specified client population. Students are expected to demonstrate a basic understanding of the specific theoretical approaches to working with the specific client population. Further, they are expected to demonstrate an in depth understanding of the specific concerns and issues related to a distinctive group, such as people with specific disabilities, drug and alcohol addictions, people who experience violence, community-based advocacy, etc. Each student is required to develop a contract with an appropriate faculty member that includes the required outcomes.

An introduction to normal adult development, this course examines critical issues and theories of adolescence, and early, middle and late adulthood.

Prerequisites:

PSYC 100/101 or equivalent or written permission of the Instructor and School Chair.

This course is available via Distance Education.

This course is designed to assist students to build advanced helping skills on the base developed in HSER 258. Students learn to use their helping relationships and interpersonal communication skills within the framework of the helping process model. Students are required to demonstrate their skill development on video tape, as well as demonstrate analytical skills that will require both self-awareness and knowledge of the helping model. The focus is on the skills required to carry out action planning, support of action and evaluating of outcome in helping interventions.

Prerequisites:

HS Certificate or Instructor’s permission.

Human Service agencies are labour-intensive organizations which invest most of their financial resources in personnel who are engaged in delivering front-end or "hands-on" services. This course will explore the issues around the selection and supervision of staff and assist the participants to develop skills in managing staff in a way that will promote productivity while meeting the needs of these employees.

Prerequisites:

Certificate in ECCE, SSW, CCSW or 30 credits of University Transfer credit including ENGL 110/111 and PSYC 100/101 OR PLA indicating equivalent knowledge and skill to an ECCE, SSW or CCSW certificate.

This course allows students to explore issues directly impacting First Nations communities. An exploration of factors impacting the development of current issues as well as current approaches used to address these issues is undertaken.

Prerequisites:

ENGL 110.

Practicum A second level or advanced practicum for individuals who have completed a previous block practicum or have demonstrated those skills through a PLA. After an orientation to the agency, students are expected to provide direct services, assuming full responsibility with appropriate supervision, to specified clients, or client groups. Students will develop competence in providing a specific service and in participating as a team member in the agency. The practicum is normally 250 hours.