Education Assistant and Community Support, Certificate

HHS Student Handbook 

Current information for School of Health and Human Services students and EACS program-specific handbook. 

Make a difference

As an Education Assistant and Community Support (EACS) student, you’ll acquire the knowledge, skills and values necessary to provide and advocate for the rights of individuals with diverse needs, in order to facilitate inclusion and community participation.

Your classroom and practicum experiences will prepare you for work in school, home, work, and other community settings where people with acquired and/or developmental disabilities learn, work, live and socialize.

We'll help you succeed

Through the 3 semesters of the EACS program, you will acquire the skills and knowledge needed to promote and advocate for the meaningful participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life.

Program courses are designed so that upon graduation you will be able to apply your knowledge of community supports, holistic well-being, professionalism, and disability issues to your work with families, in individualized arrangements, and human service organizations.

Employment

Graduates work as part of a professional team in community, home, school, and day program settings to support children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities.

Career paths include a range of community-based positions such as education assistants, residential counsellors and job coaches. Employers include non-profit and private organizations, public and private school settings, as well as families and persons with disabilities.

Transfer opportunities

Completion of this certificate provides you with transfer credits toward year 2 of the Community, Family and Child Studies Diploma. It also provides you with transfer credit to some degree programs (e.g. School of Child and Youth Care and Social Work), at other BC institutions such as the University of Victoria and Vancouver Island University.

Consult the advising centre of the university of your choice or check with a Camosun College Academic Advisor for transfer details.

We'll help you succeed

Are you inspired by the thought of working for equality, fairness and freedom for all? Are you intrigued by the thought of establishing a career based on positive change, working with individuals and families in a variety of community and social service settings? If you answered yes to all the above, then EACS is the perfect path for you. Our curriculum is based on contemporary research and grounded in principles of social justice, strengths-based practice, and self-determination.

The learning environment in the program is a co-operative one - all learners contribute, and all learn from one another. As you progress through courses and practicum placements, you'll become familiar with a variety of community services, and you'll gain experience supporting individuals and families.

Assess your readiness to be a student here.