Vocational 1 Program
Vocational 1 Program
Generally, Vocational Level 1 students have cognitive abilities that fall below the 2nd percentile and academic skills that are grade 3 or lower.
Eligibility:
A student for placement to a Vocational Level One Program shall:
be identified as Exceptional Intellectual-MID, Exceptional Intellectual-DD, Exceptional Communication-Language Impairment, or Exceptional Multiple
Typical range in intellectual profile: at or below the 2nd percentile and have academic skills between grades 1 to 3.
Vocational 1 Program:
is designed for students with severe difficulties in acquiring academic skills
focuses on the acquisition of functional daily life literacy and numeracy skills
emphasizes the life skills application of knowledge related to independent living and the workplace as applicable
has many choices of site-specific "hands-on" learning options
students are working at grade 3 level or lower
does not require students to attempt or pass the Ontario Secondary Literacy Test or complete 40 hours of community service
results in an Ontario Secondary School Certificate (OSSC) with 14 credits
What the Program looks like at Humberview:
At Humberview, we run two Vocational 1 classes in the morning. The junior class is for our grade 9 -11 students. The senior is for our grade 12 - age 21 students. In the afternoon, both classes are combined together.
The program runs as a contained program for the majority of the day.
There is a class cap of 15 per program (maximum 15 per junior and senior program)
Please see an example timetable below.
Grades 9 - 11 (semester 1)
Period 1 - Life Skills
Period 2 - Math
Period 3 - Gym
Period 4 - Technology
Grades 9 - 11 (semester 2)
Period 1 - Entrepreneurship/Business
Period 2 - Literacy/English
Period 3 - Drama
Period 4 - Geography/Navigating the Community
Grade 12 - age 21 (semester 1)
Period 1 - Literacy & Employability Skills
Period 2 - Understanding Personal Finances
Period 3 - Gym
Period 4 - Technology
Grade 12 - age 21 (semester 2)
Period 1 - Independent Living Skills
Period 2 - Group Based School Projects & Work Safety
Period 3 - Drama
Period 4 - Geography/Navigating the Community
Resources, Caledon based programs, and information for Vocational Level 1 students and families can be found below.
Special Needs Programs in Caledon
White Birch
Located in the town of Palgrave on a one acre property, White Birch offers a unique setting for all adults with special needs. This is a Special Needs day program with three classroom spaces. walking trails and a soon to be fully accessible park.
GOALS
Located in Bolton, GOALS strives to support individuals in areas that most respite programs cannot reach. They offer services to those 19+. They offer day programs, respite servies and overnight respite services.
BCCL
With locations in Bolton and Brampton, Brampton Caledon Community Living offers a range and variety of activities, experiences, and opportunities for adults with a developmental disability.
https://bramptoncaledoncl.ca/en/support-services/community-participation-supports/
Post-Secondary Programs
Humber College - Community Integration through Co-operative Education (CICE)
Humber’s Community Integration through Co-operative Education (CICE) certificate program is designed to provide adults with intellectual disabilities (also known as developmental disabilities) the opportunity to experience college life, develop enhanced independence, and connect with like-minded individuals. It is the first college program of its kind in Ontario and is a leader in building collaborative, inclusive communities that support and promote experiential and transformative learning.
https://healthsciences.humber.ca/programs/cice-ontario-college-certificate.html
George Brown - College Vocational Program
George Brown College's Vocational program is an individualized, supportive program that helps bridge the gap for students who have graduated from high school with workplace credits or an Ontario Secondary School Certificate and who are having difficulty finding appropriate and meaningful work. It offers extensive assessment through the use of several vocational tools. In addition, students participate in career planning, communication and life skills training, and a work experience placement.
https://www.georgebrown.ca/programs/college-vocational-program-a101
Mohawk College - Community Integration through Co-Operative Education (CICE)
This program offers students with intellectual disabilities and other significant learning challenges the opportunity to pursue a postsecondary education, prepare for success in entry level work, build independence and self-advocacy skills for adult life.
Georgian College - Developmental Skills for Career Success
This program is designed for students with diverse learning challenges who require academic accommodations and modifications. Students enhance their academic and vocational knowledge and skills in both core and integrated courses and practice this learning on field placements. Learning Facilitators modify integrated courses to students’ specific strengths and abilities, and provide accommodations, tutor and support sessions to ensure the work is challenging and achievable. Students prepare for success in entry-level work, and build independence and self-advocacy skills for adult life.
https://www.georgiancollege.ca/academics/programs/community-integration-co-operative-education/
Fleming College - Community Integration through Co-Operative Education (CICE)
The two-year Community Integration through Co-operative Education (CICE) program is designed to enhance academic and vocational skills for individuals with exceptionalities and other significant learning challenges.
Students take core courses in topics such as human relations and communications, job skills, life skills, computer skills, and health and wellness. In addition, students take modified programming, with support from Learning Facilitators, from a Fleming diploma program of their choice in (subject to change and to availability): Business, Culinary, Early Childhood Education, Recreation and Leisure, or Hospitality.
Courses in these areas have been intentionally modified to suit the unique learning needs. These modified courses will allow the CICE students to develop applied learning and life skills.
https://flemingcollege.ca/programs/community-integration-through-cooperative-education
Durham College - Community Integration through Co-Operative Education (CICE)
The modified Community Integration through Cooperative Education (CICE) program is designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities or significant learning challenges. You will access courses in many program areas (based on seat availability).
It will provide you with an opportunity to experience college life and enhance your academic and vocational skills by taking regular college classes modified to fit your academic abilities.
https://durhamcollege.ca/programs/community-integration-through-cooperative-education
Karis Disability Services & Humber College - Culinary Skills Development
This program is designed for special needs students who wish to learn basic culinary skills for the purpose of obtaining employment in the hospitality industry. Course highlights include hands-on kitchen training, unpaid placements at various establishments, and receiving a college certification. It starts in January each year.
Eligibility:
18 Years & over
Developmental Disability
Desire to work in food services
Able to provide own transportation
Can attend placements & labs independently
Flexible hours
Access to computer & internet
ODSP/Insurance coverage required
For more information contact Mary Lou Kelly at mkelly@christian-horizons.org
Mowhawk College - Career Pathways 361
Designed specifically for students with a learning disability, autism or mental health challenges who want to develop academic and career-ready skills for future postsecondary study and employment.
Program Highlights
Experience our new state-of-the-art computer support lab for one-on-one AT instruction and homework support.
Benefit from a combination of in-class instruction, computer labs, lectures and unpaid employment placements.
Develop new skills with the support of Learning Facilitators, Student Placement Support, Adaptive Technologist/Learning Skills Advisor and faculty.
Obtain job skills through experiential learning in highly individualized 70-hour unpaid employment placements within the community.
https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/programs/preparatory-studies/career-pathways-361
Conestoga College - Community Integration through Co-Operative Education
The Community Integration through Co-operative Education (CICE) program is a two-year program designed to provide individuals with exceptionalities and other significant learning challenges the opportunity to experience college life and enhance their academic and vocational skills with modified programming and support from Learning Strategists. The program includes a number of core courses common to all CICE students in topics such as human relations and communications, job skills, life skills, computer skills, and health and wellness. Other courses will be drawn from a number of current programs in various areas, such as Community Services, Business, and Creative Industries, that reflect student interests and have been intentionally modified to suit the unique learning needs of each individual. These modified courses will allow the CICE students to develop vocational skills associated with their elected area of interest. Throughout the program, students will participate in work placements intended to develop and enhance work skills and involvement with the community. The program will support students to be more independent members of the community, with the goal of transitioning to volunteer or paid employment or further academic studies.
https://www.conestogac.on.ca/fulltime/community-integration-through-co-operative-education
Important Resources to Consider
Ontario Identification Card
The Ontario Photo Card is a wallet-sized card that provides government-issued identification to those Ontarians who do not have a driver’s licence, making it easier for them to do things such as open a bank account and any other activities that require official identification.
Ontario Photo Cards can be used for day-to-day business transactions or as proof of identity for domestic travel.
You can apply for an Ontario Photo Card in person at a Service Ontario Centre.
Vulnerable Persons Registry
This voluntary registry will provide the Police Services with emergency contact information, detailed physical descriptions, known routines, and special needs of this individual. This information will assist officers in communicating with, attending a residence of, or dealing with an emergency involving this individual.
Those eligible to participate are people who because of a medical (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Autism Spectrum Disorder, brain injury, etc.), mental health, or physical condition may pose a danger to themselves and/or others.
The most common types of people who sign up for this registry include but are not limited to the following:
Elderly who have a tendency to wander.
Those with an inability to communicate because of mental health or other illness.
Those with strong fascinations or attractions (water, construction sites, etc.).
Those with poor social responses (fear of strangers, aggression).
https://www.peelpolice.ca/en/services/vulnerable-persons-registry.aspx#