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Shelter Support Worker Certificate Program

You're Only 5 Weeks Away From Your New Career as a Shelter Support Worker

Shelter Support Worker Certificate Program


 Shelter Worker - Micro-Credential Certificate Program

Shelter Support Workers are human service professionals who work closely with individuals experiencing homelessness. A Shelter Support Worker supports residents living in shelters by creating a client-focused environment to successfully transition from homelessness to living independently or in supportive housing. Generally, Shelter Support Workers offer support to the residents of a shelter by helping them work towards their case plan goals, motivating residents to maintain their active daily living routine and facilitating harm-reduction support.


There are many reasons why people become homeless:


  • Loss of income
  • Family break-up
  • Poor mental health 
  • Poor physical health
  • Substance use
  • Intimate partner / domestic violence
  • Eviction
  • Relocation


Therefore, Shelter Support Workers should be compassionate and aware of the many psychosocial issues concerning trauma and homelessness to carry out their duties effectively. This program equips you with the skills to carry out these required duties successfully.

COURSE DETAILS

STARTING DATE

January 13, 2025

March 10, 2025

DURATION

5 weeks

Monday & Wednesday
6 - 9 pm

PROGRAM DELIVERY

Online

COURSE TUITION

$1,580

REGISTRATION FEE

$75

Shelter Support Worker

Job Opportunities

Shelter Support Workers have the opportunity to work in:


  • Emergency Shelters
  • Group Homes 
  • Drop-In Centers
  • Respite Shelters 
  • Food Banks 
  • Supportive Housing 
  • Harm Reduction Centers
  • Family Shelters 
  • Abused Women Shelters 
  • Residential Treatment Centers 
  • Youth Shelters 

Alpha Student Experiences


"All the staff there were wonderful. And today I can say I now I'm a proud PSW...It's for real."


VIEW MORE STUDENT EXPERIENCES

What Is The Demand Like For The Profession?

Over 9,200 individuals are homeless in Toronto at any one time. As a result, there is a high demand for trained specialist workers to care for and attend to the needs of the large and increasingly vulnerable homeless population. 


This training will provide you with the most comprehensive information available. Upon completion, this course equips individuals with the knowledge and practical skills to function effectively as Shelter Support Workers. The role of a Shelter Support Worker facilitates better care for individuals and provides a springboard to other careers in the broader social services industry. 


Gaining experience as a Shelter Support Worker may lead to future opportunities in management, whether in the private or government sectors or at not-for-profit organizations. 

Admission Requirements

  • An Grade 12 Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or
  • Equivalent: Foreign credentials must be translated into English and assessed for Grade 12 equivalency by a recognized organization, or
  • Mature Student with a score of 11 or more on the Wonderlic SLE


***This program does not require approval under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.

Course Outline

  • MODULE 1 - Orientation, Toronto Shelter System & Responsibility

    This module provides an overview of the Shelter Support Worker course, student expectations and a brief history of housing and homelessness crisis in Ontario. It will explain structural and individual causes of homelessness and housing instability for youth, 2SLGBTQ+, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, new immigrants & refugees and our responsibility to these groups. We will also learn about the Toronto shelter standards and operations, low barrier shelters and housing models such as Housing First.

  • MODULE 2 - Equity, Diversity & Human Rights

    Students will learn about oppression for various communities and other intersectional groups in this session. 


  • MODULE 3 - Conflict Resolution & Effective Communication

    In this module, students will learn about effective communication. It will assist in avoiding misunderstandings and improve accuracy in using language and communication skills. In addition, students will learn effective listening skills and de-escalation tactics. 


  • MODULE 4 - Trauma-Informed Care & Wellness

    Trauma-Informed Care understands and considers the pervasive nature of trauma and promotes environments of healing and recovery rather than practices and services that may inadvertently re-traumatize others.

  • MODULE 5 - Ethics, Confidentiality, Boundaries & Disclosure

    In this module, students will learn the moral principles shared by a group. In addition, this module will provide principles and standards for workers serving homeless people in the various shelter facilities. These standards will enable Shelter Support Workers to adhere to a humane, fair, and caring code of conduct.


  • MODULE 6 - Facing Fears & Self-Sabotage

    This module will discuss fears and ways to face them. We will also understand the meaning of self-sabotage and learn ways to avoid the behavior.

  • MODULE 7 - Harm Reduction

    In this module, students will learn about harm reduction, which refers to policies, programmes and practices that aim to minimize negative health, social and legal impacts of drug use, drug policies and drug laws. In addition, students will learn how to work with people without judgement, coercion, discrimination, or requiring that they stop using drugs as a precondition of support.


  • MODULE 8 - Case Management & Documentation

    Case management is a professional and collaborative process that assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates the options and services required to meet an individual's health needs. Students will get a basic understanding of case management and documentation skills.

  • MODULE 9 - Crises Intervention & De-Escalation

    In this module, students will learn about crisis intervention and how to de-escalate situations where someone is highly annoyed, angry or afraid and may react with hostility. In addition, students will learn how to work from an empathetic perspective and understand the differences between empathy and sympathy.

  • MODULE 10 - Indigenous Competency

    Students will learn about Indigenous culture to recognize, comprehend, and appreciate Indigenous peoples' values, traditions, and belief systems. Students will hear about Indigenous history in a de-colonized way of storytelling to understand how one's own beliefs, practices and histories have impacted the health and wellness, self-esteem and socio-economic wellbeing of Indigenous peoples.

Register Now For The Shelter Support Worker Program to Begin Your Journey To Become A Certified Shelter Support Worker

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