Community Support Worker Foundations Program

6 Weeks

Community Support Workers support the developmental, emotional, and social well-being of children, youth, and adults in various settings, guided by the principles of cultural competency, ethical practice, and professional standards. Their scope includes developmental practice, relationship-building, and applied human development, with an emphasis on collaboration and inclusivity. Practitioners are informed by legislation, ensuring care aligns with individual rights and legal frameworks. Success in this field requires essential skills such as empathy, critical thinking, and adaptability, alongside ongoing personal and professional development to foster resilience and maintain high-quality care.

The program provides essential skills and knowledge to prepare learners for entry-level support roles in supervised settings.

Domestic/International Tuition

                 $ 950 – Online/Distance – Asynchronous

Application Fee: $250 (Non-refundable)

Register

This program does not require approval by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. As such, PTIRU did not review this program.

This program is not equivalent to, nor recognized as, a BC Health Care Assistant Program. Graduates are not eligible for registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry. Registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry is required before working in BC’s public health sector as a care aide, health care assistant, personal support worker, community health worker or an equivalent position.

Admission Requirements: 

Click here to view

Delivery Method: 

  • Distance/Online-  This instructor-led, asynchronous program is assignment-based within a structured schedule, with set due dates, and no exams. It includes ongoing guidance and feedback from qualified instructors.  

Credential Earned: 

  • Certificate

Learning Management System:  

  • Google Classroom

Program Length: 

  • 6 weeks

Fees and Tuition:   

  • Application Fee- $250 (non-refundable and non-transferable)
  • Tuition Fee- $950 (Tuition can be paid in 1 or 2 installments). Payments can be made by e-transfer (payments@coastalcollegeofbc.com).
  • Textbook costs: Approximately $100 CAD Hardcopy or Approximately $50 CAD E-textbook 

Textbook: 

  • Nash, Heather Stewart, R. Child and Youth Care in Canada: A Practical Guide. Northrose Educational Resources, 2022.

Start Date: 

  • Classes begin every Wednesday. Registration closes each week on Sunday at 6 p.m.

Learning Outcomes:

  1.  Support Worker Foundations CSW 110
    -Describe the role and responsibilities of a community support worker and identify professional behaviours expected
    when working with clients, families, and care teams.
    -Apply foundational knowledge of client diversity, health care and social service systems, and ethical, legal, and
    professional responsibilities to workplace case studies and scenarios.
    -Recognize personal limits, identify situations where support or supervision is required, and identify opportunities for
    further training and professional development.
  2. The Workplace / Client Needs CSW 120
    -Identify common support work settings and select appropriate approaches for clients with different needs, abilities,
    preferences, and circumstances.
    -Apply introductory observation, decision-making, and problem-solving skills to workplace case studies involving
    client needs and support situations.
    -Identify appropriate actions during emergency or unusual situations, including seeking assistance, following
    workplace procedures, and completing basic incident-reporting activities.
  3. Support Worker Communication CSW 130
    -Select respectful verbal, non-verbal, and written communication approaches for interactions with clients, families,
    supervisors, and allied professionals.
    -Explain how support workers contribute to a team by following directions, communicating relevant information,
    seeking clarification, and participating in collaborative care activities.
    -Apply introductory negotiation and conflict-resolution strategies to workplace scenarios involving challenging
    conversations, misunderstandings, or disagreements.

Employment:

  • At the end of this program, graduates will have developed foundational knowledge to be a Community Support Worker.  

Criminal Record Check (CRC)/Vulnerable Sector Check

When applying to work, you may be required to have a Criminal Record Check.   To obtain a CRC in British Columbia, click the link below. Please note that each province will have a different process to obtain a CRC. The approximate cost for a CRC in British Columbia is $28. Once you obtain a CRC you can use it when applying for a position. 

https://justice.gov.bc.ca/screening/crrpa/org-access 

Access Code: ECPV6DALVN

Contact us: 

  •  For more information, please email info@coastalcollegeofbc.com. 
  • Academic advisors can be reached at 604-553-8585 Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Please note that the college is closed on weekends and statutory holidays.  

Registration Form – Click here