Red River College

Disability and Community Support Program:
Certificate and Diploma Level

Description:

Family Services and Labour has implemented initiatives to support certificate and diploma professional level training opportunities for staff of agencies funded by the Community Living disABILITY Services Program.

Through the certificate and diploma level training, students will develop the knowledge, skills, and values required to support, facilitate, and enhance the development of children and adults with disabilities in a variety of community settings.  Graduates will be able to assist individuals with disabilities to plan and achieve their personal goals and maintain their health and well-being.  They will also promote the development of inclusive communities, and display competent, responsible, and professional behaviour and attitudes.

Agencies funded by the Community Living disABILITY Services Program may request sponsorship from Family Services and Labour for staff to participate in the Disability and Community Support Program (DCSP) certificate (first year of the two year program) or diploma (second year). The employing agency has a critical role in supporting staff in this training.

This is an opportunity for full-time employees who have demonstrated commitment to working with persons with disabilities and who would embrace an opportunity to expand their skills and qualifications within an accredited system, while continuing to work.  Applicants must be committed to the time and hard work to achieve the diploma in Disability and Community Support. For a self-assessment of suitability for this training, see below.

Family Services and Labour sponsorship may include reimbursement for tuition, books and a partial travel subsidy (if applicable, for students outside of Winnipeg) upon successful completion of courses.

Course description also available online at the Red River College website.

In order to address different learning styles, schedules and geographic locations, there are different options for achieving the certificate or diploma:

• The Classroom Model is based in Winnipeg for the certificate and diploma levels.
• The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Model, previously known as the Prior Learning and Assessment (PLAR) Model, currently targets certificate level courses.
• Web Based Courses: The Disability and Community Support Program continues to develop online courses.   

Note:  The following training may count as a credit towards the Red River College Disability and Community Support Certificate/Diploma if they have been taken within the previous five years:

• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® (NVCI)
• Foundations in Disability and Community Support (Red River College)
• Supervision in Human Service Settings (Red River College)

Upcoming Dates:

Date	Region	Location
April 2012: Referrals will be accepted for fall 2012 start dates	All	Red River College

Contact/Registration Information:

Family Services and Labour will notify agencies funded by the Community Living disABILITY Services Program when new referrals will be accepted.  The referral and admission process must include approval from Family Services and Labour for sponsorship of identified staff, followed by successfully application for admission to Red River College (RRC) and the Disability and Community Support Program.

Further details on each of Disability and Community Support program sponsorship opportunities are typically provided to agencies in the spring/early summer each year.  All enquiries should be directed through the agency management.

Classroom Model:

One option for working towards the Disability and Community Support Program Certificate or Diploma is through a Classroom Model.  This traditional model is based primarily on attending classes with a group of students.  Intensive courses are offered two days per week from September to June from 9:00 - 4:00, at Red River College Notre Dame Campus in Winnipeg. 

In this model, a new course is completed every three weeks (approximately). In addition to the classroom setting, some courses will be completed on-line, in intersession or by Recognition of Prior Learning challenge (RPL) or other alternatives.

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Model:

Another option for taking the Disability and Community Support Certificate is through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) model (previously known as the Prior Learning and Assessment (PLAR) Model.  This model targets staff that have two or more years of experience in the field, a high level of knowledge, skills, and competency, and a capacity to work independently in a self-directed manner.  Participants in this model may challenge up to 75% of the course credits.  This requires independently completing course requirements, assignments and tests as laid out through RPL criteria for each course. The remaining 25% of classes would be completed through classroom, web or other identified options.

An exciting start to the RPL model is the cluster challenge where students may obtain credits for three courses through one challenge. Where student have less knowledge or experience, courses may also be taken in the classroom or on-line (depending on availability) or at a practicum location. Students may also find that they can receive credit for previously completed courses, including Foundations in Disability and Community Support and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention. 

Within the first months of acceptance into this program, participants should develop personal plans to identify the steps they need to take in order to complete all required courses.  This plan will need to merge the individual staff/participant’s RPL challenges with the need to attend some in-classroom, on-line or practicum courses.

RPL sponsorship must follow the application process outlined under Disability and Community Support Program - Certificate and Diploma Level.

Dependent upon the staff/student’s successful completion of each course, Family Services and Labour will reimburse the agency the tuition fee for each challenge and/or tuition for specific courses and required books, for a limited number of staff across the province.  Limited subsidy may be available for travel expenses for rural applicants where required and applicable. 

Commitment to Accredited College Level Training:

This is a self-assessment exercise to help staff consider their commitment.

Some questions to consider……	YES	NO
Do you have a goal and dream to obtain your Certificate or Diploma in Disability and Community Support?
Are you able to commit time and arrange your schedule to complete assignments and course requirements?
Are you able to balance personal, work and school commitments all at one time?
Do you have a support network to help you out if you are stuck or frustrated?
Have you two or more years experience working with people with disabilities?
Are you an independent learner Able to identify and pursue what you need to know when required?  Work on your own, without a classroom environment to keep you on track? Feel (most of the time) in control of your own successes and failures?
Have you remained current and on top of developments in your profession by: Reading recent publications, books and articles? Enrolling in credit or non-credit courses and attending conferences, workshops or seminars? Watching videos and films?
Do you formally and informally network with others in your profession?
Do you want to earn educational recognition by consolidating your diverse learning experiences?
RED RIVER COLLEGE ENTRANCE CRITERIA FOR THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAM:
Have you completed Manitoba Grade 12? Note: If you do not have your Manitoba Grade 12 or equivalent, please check special entrance requirements if you are at least 19 years of age on or before September 30 at the year of registration, and have been out of high school for a minimum of one year
Are you willing to complete additional information sheets and submit two letters of reference?
Would you expect to be successful in completing a prescribed reading skills test?
Have you or will you attend an information session?
Will you be able to obtain confirmation on agency letterhead of current employment and at least 2 years of full-time employment in the field?

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