Retention Report Social Service Worker Program

Perth Campus 2010-2011

Prepared by Lisa Shaw-Verhoek Program Co-ordinator shawvel@algonquincollege.com

 

In 2010-11, the Social Service Worker Program at the Perth Campus used a variety of strategies and initiatives to foster a climate of learning and success for students in this two year diploma program. This report will highlight our efforts.

The SSW students that enroll in Perth range in age and ability and many have been out of formal education for some time. This profession attracts a lot of people who are exploring a second career and because of factory layoffs in this region and the closure of The Rideau Regional Facility, many of our students have been experiencing transitions and stress.

This year we used the following:

Academic Advising done by Professors Debbie McConkey and Lisa Shaw-Verhoek

Committed professors, who are part-time or partial load who went above and beyond to support our students. They are Debbie McConkey, Terri Jordan, Brian Law, Tim Burns, Joanne Rogers and Kelli Dillworth

Counselling available from Mary Green, a new part-time counselor at the Perth Campus who replaced long-time worker Gayle Dumsday

Active Orientation Week Schedule which included a day off campus at the Westport Lions Club. This involved team building, program introduction, presentations by professors and a second year student panel and a presentation by a graduate of the program, Rhonda Low

Tutoring available through Tracy Lancaster in our front office Student Support Specialist Cheryl Giff who met with individual students to

discuss time management and study skills The use of Incomplete (F) grading, and FSP (Failure with Supplemental

Privileges) grading for a number of students. Each student had to submit and pass each evaluator in each course in the program

Modification of programs for students with DisAbilities (reach ahead to take English 1 and Developmental Psychology which is offered online

Individualized planning with students with DisAbilities from Alison West-Armstrong from the Center for Students with DisAbilities and SSW Program Co-ordinator Lisa

A series of SSW Graduate/Student Seminar to encourage the exchange of information and mentorship between students and graduates. We had initially thought that we could set up an actual mentorship project, however we had challenges getting grads because most of them are working, and/or going to school. On the next page, the information about the workshops is provided.

 

  

Attention Algonquin College Perth SSW Graduates and Current Students

You are invited to a series of SSW Graduate/Student Seminars to be held at Algonquin College

Why? The purpose is to provide mentorship and networking opportunities for graduates and current students so we can share new ideas and information. Where? Room 6 at Algonquin College, 7 Craig Street, Perth, Ontario When? Thursday Feb. 17, Thursday Mar. 17, Thursday Mar. 31 and Thursday April 14, 2011 Time: All sessions are from 3-5 p.m. Cost: Free (These sessions are funded by the Algonquin College Retention Fund)

Refreshments will be served. Catering by Community Support Services Perth There will be door prizes too!

Date Topic Leader Feb 17

Education after SSW What options are available? What options would you like to see at the Perth campus in the future?

Professor Debbie McConkey and panel of graduates who have continued their education

March 17

Employment after SSW Professor and SSW graduate Terri Jordan and a panel of graduates who will discuss job search ideas and resources

March 31

Being Well: Using the Medicine Wheel Teachings Jim Albert, Native Elder, Professor Emeritus in Social Work, Carleton University

April 14

The Ontario Social Service Worker Association Starting a Perth Chapter of OSSWA Exploring Extended Health Insurance and Liability Insurance for SSW grads and information about their upcoming conference

Lisa Shaw-Verhoek and rep from OSSWA

To register for any or all of these sessions, please email SSW graduate Cindy Cullen at cinder42@gmail.com because she is getting the refreshments ready and it would be helpful to know how many people are coming. Just give her your name and the date(s) that you plan to attend. If you have questions, please email Lisa at shawvel@algonquincollege.com    

To reach out to our participants we did the following:

The information was mailed to all graduates of the SSW program that appeared to have local addresses on the labels that we ordered from the Registrar’s Office

Handouts were made on colored paper for first and second year students and were distributed in classes

The information was emailed out to the students Reminder emails and announcements were posted/sent out prior to events

The four activities occurred as scheduled. A change was made to the March 31 activity in that before the discussion, the film “For the Next 7 Generations” was shown. An additional guest speaker, Rose Moses was invited to participate in the activity. The February 17th Education Panel was led by Professor Debbie McConkey and included the following people:

Graham Barker-Mallette, BSW Part-time studies Michelle Kerr, BA Psychology Distance Education Bracken Begley, BAA Human Services (Distance Education) Sparkle Clarke, BSW Full-time

There were two graduates who wanted to participate but had classes at that time. Instead, they each sent an email that was read at the event. 16 students participated and the feedback included:

This was a good session I did not know how expensive university was compared to college I learned about distance education I am discouraged about how hard it is to get into university I found this was quite depressing to hear about the costs I learned the workload was heavy

The participants also identified that they were interested in articulation agreements and having more of them between the SSW program and Universities. On the next page, the evaluation for the March 17th session, followed by the evaluation synopsis.

SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER PROGRAM EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOP/SEMINAR  

FEEDBACK INFORMATION Survey – MARCH 17, 2011   

 We appreciate your feedback and welcome your suggestions. Please take a few moments to complete the following questionnaire.  Do you feel better informed regarding potential employment opportunities now that you have had a chance to discuss working in the SSW field with former grads?                  Yes    No  Do you feel that the information provided in the Job Search Strategies Power Point presentation will benefit you in your job search?    Yes    No  Would you like to have a copy of the Job Search Strategies presentation for a resource?                  Yes    No  Would you consider sitting on the SSW grad panel in the future to discuss your employment experience/s with future graduating students?  Yes    No  Were you satisfied with the workshop/seminar in general?  Yes    No   Please feel free to make suggestions as to how the Employment Workshop/Seminar could be improved.  Comments:        

Thank You for Attending 

Synopsis of SSW Grad Employment/Workshop Seminar  March 17, 2011  Panel:  Christa Dales Donnelly (Ontario Works), Tom Delong (Newgate 180), Samantha Davidson (Perth & District Food Bank), Rhonda Low (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County) Barb Thornhill (The Salvation Army), Cindy Cullen (Terrance Youth Services), Lynn Schryer was unable to attend.  Students in attendance: 18  A Power Point presentation was delivered during the first 30 minutes of the seminar to provide the students with some resources and information regarding Employment Search strategies related to the SSW field of study. The Power Point also included information on local Service Providers such as Algonquin Employment Services and ONTRAC and how these agencies could support grads with job search, resume development and potential program eligibility after graduation.  Labour market and small business start‐up information was also included in the presentation.  The presentation was well received by those in attendance and a request was made to have the PowerPoint loaded to blackboard.  The Panel discussion took place after the presentation and was also very well received by the students. The panel members discussed the need for well put together cover letters and resumes and the importance of understanding the Vision, Mission Statements and Core Values of the agencies the students are submitting resumes to in application for employment. Discussion was also held on being available to meet employer commitments in terms of work requirements, how to utilize self‐care tools to prevent burn‐out, and what employers are looking for in the interview process.  A feedback form was distributed to those in attendance and the information obtained indicated the students benefited from this experience.  We have these available for review.  I would certainly recommend a similar workshop for future students.  Terri Jordan – Workshop/Seminar Facilitator 

On March 31, 12 SSW students attended and we opened this session up to other students at the campus. Four trades students attended for a total of 16. The session went quite late, verbal feedback occurred that was very positive. On April 14, Brian D’Arcy, retired Woodroffe SSW Professor Brian D’Arcy presented a PowerPoint and had a question and answer period. He provided handouts to the 11 students that attended (The Ontario Social Service Worker Association Newsletter). Conclusion In summation, the students that participated in the seminar activities found them to be useful. It was difficult to get graduates to come to the college because they are employed and taking time away from work means lost wages. The students indicated that they would not come at night for these sessions so the grads had to come during the day. Even with scheduling the activities from 3-5 p.m. meant that many students could not attend due to employment and child care issues. Our first year students are only on campus on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the Winter Term due to field placement. The second year students are only on campus on Thursdays and Fridays in the Winter Term. Getting a time that they were both free and a time when a room was available meant that it had to occur on Thursdays from 3-5 or late on Friday which was not a viable option. Despite the time, I was still pleased with the number of students that made themselves available. If I was doing this again, I would not have had a session in April as it was too close to the end of the term. We appreciated the funding from the Retention Fund and published the sponsorship on the advertising sheet that went out to the students and graduates. Thank you for this opportunity. Our retention statistics are very high this year and we are very grateful for the funding as we would not have been able to provide these SSW Graduate/Student Seminars if we had not been supported by your committee.