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Associate Community Service Worker (ACSW)

The impact of physical and other disabilities on individuals, families and society has motivated many to commit themselves to train and assist those who seek help to recover. These professional people realize that disability leads to a degenerate state, affecting the physical, social, spiritual and psychological condition of a person.

General Requirements

CCPC Global provides the opportunity for all competent workers in the field of community service work and related fields, to be certified and recognized as Community Service Workers and Supervisors. It has a Federal Charter to issue professional credentials to those who qualify in their respective field.
The Associate Community Service Worker (ACSW) certificate will be issued to those who apply and are approved by the CCPC Examining Board.

Purpose of Certification

The Purpose of Certification for the Associate Community Service Worker is to recognize, by way of the certification process, those who have acquired an acceptable level of training, skills and effectiveness as a Service Worker.
The CCPC encourages everyone having the required qualifications to apply regardless of age, race, nationality, religion, sex, or disability.
Our focus is:

  1. To provide the avenue for qualified persons who have studied, worked and developed skills in the Community Service Work field to receive professional recognition.
  2. To provide the public with confidence that Community Service Workers have attained an acceptable level of competency.
  3. To provide Certified Workers with encouragement and opportunity for continual education and professional development.

Who may be certified?

Any person may apply for credentials as an Associate Community Service Worker (ACSW). However, he or she must be able to meet the “Standards Criteria” set by the CCPC Examining Board.
The application process provides the opportunity for the applicant to demonstrate adequate skill, knowledge and competence as a Community Service Worker.

Experience Required

The CCPC has set the following standards for the Experience part of the certification process.
Experience is defined as supervised work, paid or voluntary, working directly with the client. A ‘client’ is a person who has come to a Community Service Agency seeking assistance. This may include both direct and indirect experience in ACSW’s Core Competencies.
Formal education or unsupervised work experience may NOT be substituted for the experience requirement. All experience must be documented.
The applicant must have two hundred and fifty (250) hours full time work experience providing direct supervised counselling services to persons receiving support from a Community Service Organization. Field placement, volunteer, part-time or replacement hours may be acceptable providing it was under direct supervision.
On the application form, applicants must break out how they have attained their required hours.

Education Required

The CCPC has set the following standards for the Education part of the certification process. Education is defined as formal classroom education in the Human Service Field. Education must be related to the base of knowledge and skills associated with the Community Service Workers Core Competencies. All education must be documented and the student must have achieved a 65% to 70% average (where applicable).
An applicant applying for certification must have a minimum of 250 documented hours of education. This education will begin to address all Core Competencies.

Core Competencies

There are a number of basic Core Competencies which are required. The CCPC expects that these Core Competencies will be the minimum requirements for certification.
1. Psychology
A basic knowledge is required which includes an introduction to Psychology, abnormal psychology and developmental psychology.
2. Sociology
A basic knowledge is required in the study of development, structure, interaction and collective behaviour of organized groups of human beings.
3. Family Dynamics
Knowledge and skill is required to work effectively with family members and others in order to
support goals and address the impact of the client’s issues on family and social groups.
4. Introduction to Social Work
The applicant must have a clear understanding of a Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibilities in their relationships with clients, colleagues and external partners.
5. High Risk Populations
The applicant must have a working knowledge of what constitutes a high risk populations and how to address their issues.
6. Addictions / Mental Health
The applicant must have a basic understanding of Addictions and Mental Health and how the
two disciplines interact.
7. Counselling Interviewing Skills
The applicant should have the knowledge and skill required to draw from counselling styles and techniques that are backed by an evidence base. It should include an understanding of human development and an understanding of a wide range of approaches, skills and practices relating to the field of social services.
8. Case Management
Knowledge and skill is required to advocate on behalf of and guide the client through the barriers to service by coordinating and evaluating services available. This involves matching clients with the most appropriate available services.
9. Group Facilitation
Knowledge and skill is required to develop and implement research-informed models, methods and strategies when working in a group treatment setting. This requires understanding of how to manage group dynamics in order to motivate and engage participants in the group process.
10. Life Skills Training
While the applicant does not need to be a trained Life Skills Coach, knowledge and skill is required to move the client through the process of social orientation into the community.
11. Report Writing
The applicant must have basic skills in documentation and report writing so that client files will accurately reflect the dynamics of care.
12. Team Work
Knowledge and skill is required to work cooperatively with others as part of a team comprised of colleagues within the field of social service or allied professionals from other sectors.
13. Self Care
The applicant must demonstrate that they have set up and maintained a program of self-assessment, professional conduct (strengths and weakness) using ethical and legal standards.
They must continue the process of professional growth and development by assessing their training needs and attaining the necessary education needs.

Professional Responsibilities

The Associate Community Service Worker will adhere to the following Code of Ethics.

  1. Believe in the dignity and worth of all human beings, and pledge my service to the well being and betterment of all members of society.
  2. Recognize everyone’s right to humane treatment.
  3. Promote and assist in the recovery and reintegration to society of everyone served, endeavouring to provide the highest quality of care.
  4. Maintain a proper professional relationship with all persons served, assisting them to help themselves, and referring them promptly to other programs or individuals when in their best interest.
  5. Adhere strictly to established precepts of confidentiality in all knowledge, records and materials concerning persons served – also in accordance with any current government regulations.
  6. Ensure that all interpersonal transactions between myself and persons served are non-exploitive and essential to their good recovery.
  7. Give due respect to the rights, views and positions of any other counsellors, referral agents and other related professionals.
  8. Respect institutional/agency policies and procedures, and cooperate with any agency management with which I may be associated – consistent with recognized standards and procedures.
  9. Contribute my ideas, knowledge and findings regarding treatment and recovery through appropriate channels.
  10. Avoid claiming or implying any personal capabilities or professional qualifications beyond those I have actually attained – recognizing that competence gained in one field of activity must not be used improperly to imply competency in another.
  11. Regularly evaluate my own strengths, limitation, biases or levels of effectiveness, always striving for self-improvement and seeking professional development by means of further education and training.

Professional References

All applications must be accompanied by two professional references. All references are for the purpose of assisting the CCPC Examining Board make a fair and complete evaluation of the applicants competency.
All references are treated with strict professional confidentiality. 
They should be addressed to CCPC Global and included with the application under confidential cover.
Two current written references should include the following information concerning the applicant:

  1. How does the applicant demonstrate self control?
  2.  How has the applicant demonstrated reliability?
  3. Show how honesty is a part of the applicant’s personal/professional conduct.
  4. Give examples of the applicant’s ability to work with others.
  5. How informed is the applicant about the community service work field.
  6. Comment on the communication skills of the applicant.
  7. Comment on the applicant’s ethical (professional) conduct.

The CCPC reserves the right to request additional information if required.

Supervisor Letter and Evaluation

All applications must be accompanied by a completed Supervisor Evaluation and a letter from your current supervisor on employer letterhead. The letter should confirm your position title, length of time in position, and number of hours of work
experience as outlined in the Experience section of the Manual.

Keep a Record of your Application

It is recommended that all applicants maintain a personal file for their records. This file should contain copies of all of the following documents: the completed application; all past and current training-related transcripts, diplomas, and certificates; and a record of hours worked both in education and training and in work experience. The CCPC performs periodic checks of those certifications which require continual training or minimum hours worked.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this certification, please go to the manuals page and download the ACSW manual or simply CLICK HERE and follow the steps. If you need more help or direction, contact us.

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