Social Service Worker Certificate

Description

History and Traditions of the Carrier People. This course is based on the traditional knowledge holders of our communities who are versed in the traditional ways of knowing that is not written down in any text but passed down through oral traditions. The course provides students with an in-depth study of Yinka Dene culture, language, spirituality, community, and social structures. Elders and topics will focus on the Yinka Dene of the north central interior of British Columbia.

Description

A study of grammar, composition, and style. A vigorous program of essay-writing plus a variety of writing assignments or exercises dealing with specific problems in essay-writing. Strongly recommended for students who wish to improve their writing skills.

Description

This course assists students in developing and refining basic helping skills through the use of lectures and experiential role plays, which integrate theory into practice. Lectures will primarily focus on theory, terminology, and the core skills of the helping activity. Participation in the lab portion of this course is expected and enhances the integration of counselling theories and strategies into direct practice. Role play activities allow students to practice skills and develop confidence.

Description

Course material provides an overview of communication theories as well as a practical basis for learning interpersonal skills. This includes discussions of how self-concept, perceptual process, language, and non-verbal behaviour influence communication. This course provides opportunities to increase selfawareness selfawareness and to improve and develop effective interpersonal communication skills. This course will also provide the student with the opportunity to develop confidence in public speaking.

Description

This course provides a basic introduction to social welfare policy in Canada, its historical development, and its role within the political and economic context of Canadian society. A major emphasis is placed on a review of the values and ideology implicit in various types of social welfare policy. Students will critically analyze the effect of social welfare policies on client populations and upon themselves as social service workers. Class discussions focus on northern issues.

Description

Students are introduced to the practice of social service, its values, knowledge, and skill foundations. The principles and contributions of mutual aid, self-help, and natural helping networks are examined. The relationship between social service practice and the communities and organizations in which it takes place is a focus of discussion. Other discussion topics include current trends in the field of paraprofessional services, ethics, and the basic structure and function of social service agencies.

Description

This course is designed to introduce first year students to the purpose and structure of the SSWK fieldwork experience referred to as "practicum." Students are introduced to the concept of experiential learning and its value in the learning process. Students and faculty explore the idea of praxis-the linkage of theory, skills, and practice-and discuss ways of achieving this through the practicum. They examine articles that explore various aspects of social service practice. Students are introduced to a range of social service agencies in the community and will then be interviewed for a practicum placement in SSWK 186 or SSWK 196.

Description

Students will perform activities at an Aboriginal social service agency site two days a week throughout the semester where they will construct a learning contract and receive guidance and supervision from an agency-based field supervisor. The seminar is designed to help students reflect on experiential learning, problem-solve issues and concerns that arise in the practical environment, and link theoretical components of their courses to actual practicum events in an Aboriginal social services environment. Students will continue the journal writing and peer feedback practices discussed in SSWK 195. Cannot also hold credit for: SSWK 196.

Description

Students will perform activities at a social service agency site two days a week throughout the semester where they will construct a learning contract and receive guidance and supervision from an agency-based field supervisor. The seminar is designed to help students reflect on experiential learning, problem-solve issues and concerns that arise in the practical environment, and link theoretical components of their courses to actual practicum events. Students will continue the journal writing and peer feedback practices discussed in SSWK 195. Cannot also hold credit for: SSWK 186

Description

Human development takes many diverse paths. CASS 120 examines disability as one expression of this richness. The common categories of disability are surveyed within the context of the person and his/her cultural, social and physical environments. Students will also explore how disability is viewed and valued in Canada, as well as some current examples of disability culture.

Description

In CASS 130, you will evaluate the relationship between your personal and professional values, adopt a code of professional ethics to guide conduct in the workplace, and develop an approach to ethical decision-making. You will identify the ethical issues raised in a variety of short case studies, evaluate options for resolution, and make clear arguments for decisions made. The course also reviews law relevant to human service work in British Columbia.

Description

In this course, life planning is presented as a process that values and empowers individuals and their families. Several person-centered methods to assess needs, make decisions, act, and evaluate are discussed. The course also surveys a variety of formal (e.g., education, social service) systems and informal (e.g., family) networks that support individuals with disabilities in fulfilling their life dreams.

Description

An overview of the contemporary theories in growth and development from conception to 24 months are introduced. Genetics and environmental factors affecting development at the prenatal, neonatal, infant, and toddler stages are examined. Growth and development in the key developmental domains including social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language are discussed as part of ongoing life span development.

Description

This course examines a theoretical framework of guidance principles and techniques which support children's optimal development. Emphasis is placed on responding to the needs of the individual, promoting positive self-concept, fostering pro-social behaviour, and addressing the factors that may impact behaviours.

Description

Developing and maintaining good health and wellness practices for ourselves and the people we support is the focus of this course. Emphasis is given to providing personal care in the most dignified and least intrusive ways possible. Topics covered in the course include good mental and physical health, personal hygiene, eating and nutrition, body mechanics, lifting and transferring, and medication safety, as well as the impact of drugs and alcohol, stress management and the challenges of aging.

Description

This course will examine the interrelationships between the home and the child care program. Attention is given to developing an effective culturally inclusive parent program curriculum to support the diverse nature of today's families. The learner will investigate the status of the Canadian family and the issues confronting it. The role of the Early Childhood Educator as an advocate for children and families will be emphasized.

Description

This course provides an understanding of the implications of disabilities on people's lives from a social context. Students will examine attitude, values and predominant views of disability in Canadian culture. A focus of this course is on an empowerment approach to supporting people with disabilities.

Description

This course explores the various dimensions of death, loss, and bereavement. Various topics that will be explored are: dynamics of mourning, children and death, abnormal versus normal grief, grief and the family, suicide, last rites, funerals, etc. As a result of this course, students will learn to face and accept loss as a natural part of life and thereby learn how to be more supportive and helpful in encountering loss situations in both professional and personal spheres.

Description

Students become acquainted with the values, assumptions, and issues underlying various approaches to helping. An emphasis is placed upon students developing a better understanding of their own personal helper values, assumptions regarding human behaviour, and styles of helping. The various ethical issues relating to being a helper are also examined.

Description

This course explores the values, attitudes, and beliefs of the worker, and the knowledge and skills required to support and enhance wellness with individuals in the community who have mental illness. The focus is on policies and practices that are relevant to northern British Columbia, including work with individuals of First Nations descent. Students have opportunities to explore the nature of mental illness. Students learn about the causes, symptoms and treatment of mental illness. Community resources and an overview of mental health services will be discussed. This student critically appraises the major existing theories.

Description

This course gives students a basic introduction to the issue of chemical dependency. An emphasis is placed on understanding theories used to explain the etiology of chemical dependency and various patterns of drug use and their impact on various groups in society. In addition, students will learn about the psycho-social impact of drug use on individuals and families, and students will learn basic skills of assessment and intervention with this population. Professional and ethical issues in working with the chemically dependent will be examined as well.

Description

This course is designed to examine policy, legislation and standards with specific application to child and youth care services in British Columbia. It examines systems of practice that include strengths-based, feminist and structural models. Particular focus is placed on Aboriginal colonization and assimilation within Canadian society and the continued over-representation of First Nation children in government care. Emphasis is placed on the essential need of permanency planning for children in permanent care of the system.

Description

This course surveys the various aspects of social service work with children. The three main theoretical models of child helping-the Adlerian model, behaviour modification, and general systems theory-will be examined in detail. Students learn how to apply these techniques in response to common behavioural problems in a variety of settings including the family, the community, and the school.

Description

This course is designed to provide a solid understanding of the unique complexities of FASD for students in the social service, education, justice and health related disciplines. This knowledge will add depth to their understanding of individuals/families and communities who access services in their chosen field. It begins with a comprehensive examination of the underlying causes of alcohol use during preganancy, the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and the resulting disabilities known as FASD. The contenct provides information needed for students to critically analyze and evaluate practice. Students will be required to demonstrate how the related disabilities can affect individuals' life outcomes. The prevalence and impact of FASD make this disorder an important area of studey for those in human service professions. Students will explore effective strategies for prevention and intervention at the family, community and professional levels. Their gained knowledge can be integrated into their practice once in the field.