CSW GERONTOLOGY DIPLOMA PROGRAM

The Community Services Worker Gerontology Program prepares graduates to work with programs in support of older adults. Students learn to be valuable members of care service teams and develop effective working relationships towards quality client care. They administer and implement a variety of social assistance programs and community services, and assist clients to deal with personal and social problems. With the aging population there is a great need in Ontario for such workers.


The CSW Program provides students with the opportunity to incorporate their classroom and learning lab theory into a real work situation. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate and refine their skills to the achievement of the required tasks and sub-tasks, supporting the core knowledge and skill competencies and objectives.

Students incorporate theoretical modules as they go through each of the 3 Practicum stages: Observation, Community Mental Health Setting and Long Term Care Setting for Older Adults. The three placements use learning opportunities for further personal and professional growth and skill development. 

 

THEORETICAL MODULES

OBSERVATION

Introduction to Community Service Worker
Ethics & Professionalism in Clinical Practice for CSW
Introduction to Sociology & Diversity Fundamentals
Canadian Social Service System and Social Policy
The Essentials of Abnormal Psychology including Pharmacology
Communications (Part 1) Interpersonal Communications
Crisis Intervention Strategies
Basic Counselling and Interviewing Methods

Field Placement 1 - Field Placement Prep & Observation (1 day Mental Health and 1 day Gerontology)

 

COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SETTING

Community Mental Health Assessment
Community Mental Health Case Management

Field Placement 2 - Supervised Practicum & Seminar Debrief (Mental Health Setting)

LONG TERM CARE SETTING FOR OLDER ADULTS

Gerontology Foundations & Life Span Development
Communications (Part 2) Strategies within a Multi-disciplinary Team
Mental Health and Cognitive Aging
Activation and Programming for Older Adults
Group Methods including Gerontology
Contemporary Social Issues in Gerontology   

Field Placement 3 - Supervised  Practicum & Seminar Debrief - (Gerontology Setting)

Community Services Workers administer and implement a variety of social assistance programs and community services, and assist clients to deal with personal and social problems. Specializing in working with programs in support of older adults and with the aging population, there is a great need in Ontario for such workers.

Demand will be particularly good for gerontology social workers who provide services for the elderly as well as those experienced in mental health and substance abuse. Most employment opportunities for this occupation are found in the service sector, primarily in non-institutional health services such as community mental health and addiction clinics. A significant number of jobs are also affiliated with government agencies in areas such as income maintenance, social services and corrections. Some job opportunities can also be found in the private sector. Employment growth is sensitive to need and will change depending on government funding.

 

role & Responsibilities

CSWs perform some or all of the following duties:

Interview clients to obtain case history and background information

Prepare intake reports

Assess and investigate eligibility for social benefits

Meet with clients to assess their progress, give support and discuss any difficulties or problems

Refer clients to other social services

Advise and aid recipients of social assistance and pensions

Counsel and provide assistance to clients living in group homes and halfway houses and supervise their activities

Provide crisis intervention and emergency shelter services

Implement life skills workshops, substance abuse treatment programs, youth services programs and other community and social service programs under the supervision of social workers or health care professionals

Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients' behavioural changes and responses to interventions

Maintain contact with other social service agencies involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients' overall progress
 

Careers

Federal, provincial and municipal governments
hospitals

Non-institutional health and social services

Health and social service associations
institutional health and social services firms 


common job titles

Aboriginal Outreach Worker

Addictions Worker Child and Youth Worker Crisis Intervention

Worker Family Service Worker

Income Maintenance Officer

Mental Health Worker Veterans Service Officer


ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

 

Post-Secondary Students

Have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent Transcript of Record

Mature Students

Be at least 19 years of age or older and out of school for 1 year or more

Successfully score an 16 or more on the Wonderlic SLE (Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities approved test)

Must pass the Technical Literacy Exam

A Canadian or U.S. post-secondary diploma or degree

A General Education Development (GED) certificate issued by a Canadian province or territory or from the United States

 

*All foreign credentials must be translated into English and compared for Grade 12 equivalency by a recognized organization (ie. WES)

Medical Certificate (Immunization Form) is required, indicating that the applicant is fit to complete all components of the program and has up-to-date immunization status. Immunization for Hepatitis B for non-immune applicants is recommended

A signed “Disclaimer for Students in Programs Leading to Work with Vulnerable Sectors”. Students must provide a Canada wide Police Clearance of Criminal Record, including Vulnerable Sector check, within 30 business days of starting school. Individuals who have a criminal record may be unable to participate in the clinical placement and therefore will be unable to graduate

CPR/First Aid Course Level C (Must be completed prior to Clinical Placement)

Photo ID picture

Student Authorization/Permit for applicants under Live-In Caregiver Program (Work & Open Permit) status

A certificate of Apprenticeship or Certificate of Qualification from any Canadian jurisdiction

TRAINING SCHEDULE

Full-Time – 53 weeks

Monday to Friday (9:00am – 2:00pm)

 

hours

 

Total: 1336 hours

25 hours/week

Placement shifts: 7am - 3pm, 3pm - 11pm 

THEORY

PLACEMENT 1 (Field Placement Prep & Observation): 30 hours of prep, 20 hours of observation

PLACEMENT 2 (Community Mental Health Setting):  105 hours

PLACEMENT 3 (Long Term Care Setting for Older Adults): 220 hours

For a list of our upcoming classes, contact us!

Program Fees

 

              Canadian Residents

International Students

 

Tuition

Books

*Registration/Processing Fee

CPR/First Aid Course 

TOTAL

8,930

1,200

500

170

$10,800

11,130

1,200

500

1,500

170

500

$15,000

Tuition

Books

*Registration/Processing fee

*Administrative Fee

CPR/First Aid Course

Medical insurance

**TOTAL

 

*Fee is non-refundable and due upon application.

** Students may pre-enroll by paying the 50% of the cost of CSW Program of $7,500 CAD, which includes registration/processing fee.

The remaining balance in the amount of $7,500CAD will be paid within 3 months of arrival in Canada or within starting the program.


Find out more and contact us today!