Community Service Worker Diploma with Addictions Specialty

Community Service Workers are essential to the social services sector and focus on the care and well-being of people who are at risk and in need of help in their everyday lives. Our community needs people who are knowledgeable, compassionate, giving, non-judgmental, and respectful to those who need assistance with their personal and social problems. Community Service Workers are employed by social service and government agencies, mental health agencies, group homes, shelters, substance abuse centers, school boards, correctional facilities, and other establishments.

A community service worker’s clients often include youth at risk and pregnant teens, homeless people, families, and those struggling with mental health issues. Work may be conducted in an office or other environments including public schools, shelters, halfway houses, and other housing programs supported by local governments and agencies. 

You may be asked to prepare intake reports, interview clients to determine needs, refer clients to appropriate services, and provide crisis intervention when necessary. Community Service Workers assess and meet a client’s physical, medical, emotional, and behavioral support needs. They may also refer clients to residential, in-patient, detoxification, and/or mental health programs, and may accompany clients to treatment programs if needed. 

Graduates of this program will understand the diversity of community work practice, helping processes, human development, and life skills. Students will gain knowledge of working with youth, adults, families, and the elderly suffering from various social and emotional issues. Additionally, they will develop competencies that will allow them to deal with individual and community issues of homelessness, poverty, substance abuse, mental health concerns, oppression, crisis, and other determinants of health and social justice. 

A career helping and supporting at-risk populations as a Community Service Worker is a great choice for people wanting to give back and help their community. 

Please visit our Addictions Worker Specialty page for more information about this certificate.

This program provides students with the base knowledge, skills, and work experience to become permanently employable in a CSW setting. Skill  development is delivered in four areas:  

• Comprehensive Community Service Worker knowledge, including psychology, sociology, family life, mental health, addictions, criminology, dealing with at-risk populations, case management, counseling, ethics, business communication, report writing, government,  and social services.
• An overview of drugs (past and present), alcohol, familiar drugs like tobacco and caffeine, natural health products, and over-the-counter drugs. Students will learn about both prevention and treatment of addictions, including various organizations which focus on rehabilitation. 
• Full range of computer and office skills, including current software applications, keyboarding skills, and personal and professional development.
• On-site work experience through placement at an approved CSW facility.

Start Dates: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer 

Program Length: 54 Weeks

Class Times: Flexible Hours (Mornings, Afternoons, Online Studies also available)

Program Costs:

• Full Program Cost: $21,200
• SkillsPEI Funding (if EI Eligible): $9,000
• Student Cost: $12,200
• Book Cost: $720

Tuition fees include all course materials. 

Graduation Requirements:

Students must maintain a 75% program average to obtain a diploma. 

• Level II Police Records Check
• Completion of Wonderlic SLE admission test with a minimum score of 18.
• Current CPR Level C & Standard First Aid Certificate
• Medical Certificate signed by a medical doctor
• Adequate level of physical health to be able to fulfill job requirements
• Immunization form
• Other medical tests (e.g. TB Test) or proof of vaccinations (e.g. Hep B) may be required prior to industry placement

All students registered in the Community Service Worker Program will be provided with an on-the-job training placement to use their skills in a practical work setting. This will provide students with the opportunity to learn how their experience in the classroom relates to the real world of work. 

Graduates of this program are qualified to work in a wide variety of CSW settings and occupations. 

• Healthcare & Social Assistance 
• Nursing & Residential Care Facilities
• Youth Centers
• Individual & Family Services
• Youth Protection Services
• Group Homes
• Civic & Social Organizations
• Social Advocacy
• Family Violence Programs
• Provincial Government
• Out-Patient Care Centres
• Local Community Service Centres
• Vocational Rehabilitation Services
• Public Schools
• Social Food & Housing Programming
• Emergency Relief Services
• Correctional Facilities
• Community Mental Health Centres
• Juvenile Residential Facilities

Program Credits:

• Introduction to Keyboarding
• Keyboarding Skill Building Level 1
• Windows 10 Level 1
• Microsoft Word Level 1
• Psychology Fundamentals 
• Sociology & Family Life in Canada
• Microsoft Excel Level 1
• Microsoft Excel Level 2
• Microsoft Outlook Level 1
• Strategies for Success
• Life-Span Development
• Introduction to Mental Health & Addictions
• Criminology & At-Risk Populations
• Case Management, Counselling, and Ethics
• Business Communication and Report Writing
• Addictions Worker Level 1
• Addictions Worker Level 2
• Addictions Worker Level 3
• OJT Practicum Placement

Credit for previous training & education may be awarded to students who can successfully complete examinations that demonstrate proficiency in specific skill areas. This ensures that students don't have to take courses that they do not need.

Do you think getting a Community Service Worker Diploma with an Addictions Specialty is the right choice for you? Become one of our students!