1 Social Service Worker Program MOHAWK LAURIER CENTER NEW APPLICANT INFO SESSION

WELCOME We are an urban satellite campus in the downtown core of Brantford We are an urban satellite campus in the downtown core of Brantford our classrooms are intermingled and in walking distance of each other our classrooms are intermingled and in walking distance of each other Our bookstore and accessible learning services are located at our Elgin Street campus Our bookstore and accessible learning services are located at our Elgin Street campus 2

3 Allow Us To… Introduce ourselves and our campus Introduce ourselves and our campus Tell you about what it means to be a Social Service Worker Tell you about what it means to be a Social Service Worker Tell you about our Social Service Worker Program Tell you about our Social Service Worker Program Let you know what to expect Let you know what to expect Answer any of your questions Answer any of your questions

4 Social Service Work is… A commitment to lifelong learning A commitment to lifelong learning Understanding how to use your knowledge skills and abilities as a way to assist others Understanding how to use your knowledge skills and abilities as a way to assist others Learning to facilitate positive changes in the lives of others Learning to facilitate positive changes in the lives of others

5 Social Service Workers… Help people reach their goals Help people reach their goals Work with individuals, families, groups, and communities Work with individuals, families, groups, and communities Assess needs of people and communities Assess needs of people and communities Work with the process of empowerment in mind Work with the process of empowerment in mind Have knowledge of a variety of social programs and community services Have knowledge of a variety of social programs and community services

6 Who is best suited for social service work?

7 Someone who : Respects the dignity of all people Respects the dignity of all people Believes that everyone has the potential for change Believes that everyone has the potential for change Believes everyone has the right to equality, justice and access to services Believes everyone has the right to equality, justice and access to services Challenges their own belief systems when necessary Challenges their own belief systems when necessary Believes that people have a right to their own choices Believes that people have a right to their own choices

8 Our Program

3 Deliveries of SSW The social service worker program is delivered at our Fennell campus during the day and also in the evening and at our campus here in Brantford – this is the fast track program The social service worker program is delivered at our Fennell campus during the day and also in the evening and at our campus here in Brantford – this is the fast track program Once you have begun the program at our campus is it expected that you will complete it at our campus; We are unable to facilitate transfers Once you have begun the program at our campus is it expected that you will complete it at our campus; We are unable to facilitate transfers 9

SSW FAST TRACK Study four (4) terms in a row; start in January and finish the following April Study four (4) terms in a row; start in January and finish the following April term week 8 is a break week where there are no classes term week 8 is a break week where there are no classes There are about 2 weeks in between each term that you will be away from classes There are about 2 weeks in between each term that you will be away from classes 10

11 Program Details Graduate with a diploma in Social Service Work Graduate with a diploma in Social Service Work Classes run Monday to Friday – usually scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Classes run Monday to Friday – usually scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. You will need to be available to attend all classes You will need to be available to attend all classes

12 Curriculum Details Core courses include a focus on humanities, social sciences and social service work Core courses include a focus on humanities, social sciences and social service work A total of 600 Field placement hours A total of 600 Field placement hours Courses use a variety of evaluation tools such as research essays, tests, group work Courses use a variety of evaluation tools such as research essays, tests, group work

13 Field Placement Practicum Students complete field placement in the second, third, and fourth term. Students complete field placement in the second, third, and fourth term. May to August; September to December; January to April for a total of 600 hours May to August; September to December; January to April for a total of 600 hours Placement days are Thursdays and Fridays Placement days are Thursdays and Fridays

14 Field Placement Practicum Placements are developed by our Field Placement Coordinator Placements are developed by our Field Placement Coordinator Students are supported in weekly small class seminars by Faculty Liaison Students are supported in weekly small class seminars by Faculty Liaison Placements are available in Hamilton Brantford and surrounding areas Placements are available in Hamilton Brantford and surrounding areas

15 Learn Important Skills How to interview How to interview How to work within legal and ethical boundaries How to work within legal and ethical boundaries How to refer people to what they need How to refer people to what they need How to advocate How to advocate How to assist communities to change How to assist communities to change How to handle crisis How to handle crisis

16 You will leave with core helping skills and values that can be used with a variety of people in a variety of settings

17 Employment Opportunities Social service agencies Social service agencies Income maintenance programs Income maintenance programs Mental health agencies Mental health agencies Residential and supportive housing settings Residential and supportive housing settings Agencies who service people living with disabilities Agencies who service people living with disabilities

18 Employment trends include entry level positions doing part-time, contract and relief positions Employment trends include entry level positions doing part-time, contract and relief positions Mohawk College has excellent employment search and support services to offer graduates through our Graduate Employment Office Mohawk College has excellent employment search and support services to offer graduates through our Graduate Employment Office Employment Trends

19 Plan for Your Success!

20 What can you do to prepare? Build in your supports – let people know Build in your supports – let people know Getting your standard first aid and CPR can be helpful in field placement Getting your standard first aid and CPR can be helpful in field placement Ensure you have an understanding of computers; word, PowerPoint, and how to navigate online systems Ensure you have an understanding of computers; word, PowerPoint, and how to navigate online systems Know that many agencies require a police clearance in order for you to have contact with their clients Know that many agencies require a police clearance in order for you to have contact with their clients

21 We are here to support you! Student Success Advisor: Student Success Advisor: –Exemptions, information, Financial Aid & Bursaries Peer Tutoring onsite Peer Tutoring onsite Accessible Learning and Counseling Services Accessible Learning and Counseling Services –Personal, career clarity, study skills – learning needs and counseling Library supports Library supports

22 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Your application questions: Your application questions: Admissions Advisor Offers of admission - be sure to let us know! Offers of admission - be sure to let us know! –ASAP – 2 weeks expiry from the date of offer –First payment November 13,2012 Important dates Important dates