Community Support Worker –
Education Assistant & Community Mental Health Certificate

Community Support Worker – Education Assistant & Community Mental Health Certificate Curriculum Guide

The focus of the Education Assistant & Community Mental Health Certificate is on vulnerable children and youth, especially in the school setting. You will be introduced to theories of child development from birth to adolescence. You will learn techniques and skills that are needed to work with students who have mental, physical, and learning/behaviour challenges within the classroom setting.

Locations:

• Campbell River
• Nanaimo
• Maple Ridge
• Surrey
• Online

Delivery: On campus & online with practicum placements in your local community.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet these requirements prior to acceptance into the program:

• Grade 12 graduation from BC secondary school or equivalent (ABE)*, or equivalent* from another school system OR be a mature applicant (must be 19 years old on the first day of class)

• If a mature applicant, then provide proof of completion of grade 10 English from a BC secondary school or equivalent* from another school system or complete one of the following assessments:

Accuplacer
• Next generation reading minimum score 230
• Next generation writing minimum score 230

Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLB PT) within the last year
• Listening 6
• Speaking 6
• Reading 6
• Writing 6

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

• Academic or General test within the last two years
  • Overall band score of 5.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each of speaking, listening, writing, reading.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Overall score of 46-59
• Reading 8-12
• Writing 18-20
• Speaking 16-17
• Listening 7-11

Applicants must meet with a DCC official and complete the required documents.

*Equivalent:
For detailed information about equivalencies please speak with your DCC Admissions Advisor. Entrance requirements may be met with evidence of secondary and post-secondary studies at an equivalent level, and/or with successful assessment testing.

Applicants interested in working with a school district upon graduation from the Community Support Worker – Education Assistant and Community Mental Health program should note that many school districts require graduation from grade 12 for employment.

Criminal Record Checks

Discovery Community College will submit each applicant’s criminal record check (CRC) on-line to the Criminal Record Review Program (CRRP). The status of the CRC does not automatically prevent an applicant from attending this program. However, any CRC that reveals “relevant” offences may limit work experience options.

Some work experience hosts may require their own RCMP criminal record check. It is the student’s responsibility to provide this directly to the host. We recommend that students apply to the RCMP for their criminal record check at the start of their first semester. If the criminal record check reveals information that raises concerns relevant to the placement the host may decline the placement.

Immunizations

Some work experience hosts require that students have a negative TB skin test or chest x-ray. It is the student’s responsibility to book this test at least six weeks before their work experience. Not having this test may restrict your choice of work experience host.

You should have a negative skin test dated within six months of the work experience placement. If you had a positive skin test (10 mm of induration or greater) at your last test, then a negative chest x-ray within one year of the placement is required.

Important Note

The Community Support Worker program is not equivalent to, or recognized as, a BC Health Care Assistant program. Graduates are not eligible for registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry (BC CACHWR).

Domestic Fees

Community Support Worker –
Education Assistant & Community Mental Health
Certificate Fees

Application Fee: $100.00
Criminal Record Check Fee: $28.00
Tuition Fee: $13,533.67
Textbooks & Supplies: $518.72
Total: $14,207.38

International Fees

Community Support Worker –
Education Assistant & Community Mental Health
Certificate (International) Fees

Application Fee: $150.00
Criminal Record Check Fee: $28.00
Tuition Fee: $17,458.77
Textbooks & Supplies: $518.72
Total: $18,182.48