The Campbell River and District for Community Living (CRADACL) is celebrating Community Living Month during the month of October. CRADACL, also known as “the Association” has many different services for people with special abilities, which will be showcased in the upcoming issues.
A previous article featured the adult programs available at the Association. Today they are taking a look at the Associations Community Living College Program. As the organization has grown to almost 200 employees, it was decided that CRADACL should investigate the possibility of offering educational services to individuals who would like to learn how to work in the field. Now registered with the Private Career Training Agency of British Columbia, CRADACL is offering a 13 week course which started in September 2014.
This program, Community Support Worker: Supporting Adults with Developmental Disabilities, features a combination of classroom instruction and hands on learning experience in the Associations group homes, day programs, employment programs, and semi-independent living program. The lead instructor, Michelle Albrecht, who has 37 years of experience working in the field, is a friendly and engaging teacher who will help students learn the philosophy of community living as well as the practical aspects of the work.
Richard Franklin, an educator with 35 years’ experience in the public and private school system, is the College Administrator and the person to contact about exploring this exciting opportunity. There is a demand for trained Community Support Workers and the prospects for future employment are excellent. The program has been endorsed by the Campbell River, Nanaimo, and Parksville Associations for Community Living. The course will be offered again in March-June 2015, with tuition of $1,500. The program is a high value but low cost option for those wishing to enter a rewarding career as a Community Support Worker.
For more information about CRADACL’S Community Living College, please contact Richard Franklin Educational Administrator, at 250-203-0938 or by email: Richard.franklin@cradacl.bc.ca. Community College is now accepting applications for spring term, spaces are limited so don’t miss out!