Humber’s Inclusive Resource Practice - Child and Family graduate certificate is the only program of its kind in Ontario. It is uniquely positioned to offer a lifespan approach (children to early adulthood) to working with individuals in the disability sector. The program is scheduled over two semesters starting each year in September and creates opportunities for graduates to gain employment working with children, youth and adults in a variety of resource service settings. Students have field practicums in both semesters one and two whereby they have opportunities to gain practice experience and build community networks for future employment opportunities. 

The program prepares you to collaborate with a community of professionals, individuals and families to navigate a range of services in order to support inclusion. Students will advance their knowledge and expertise in the field of inclusion and develop an inclusive philosophy that they can apply in a variety of employment situations. Through our practical, skill-based curriculum, you will develop many valuable skills including how to:

• apply the principles of person-centred practice
• engage in responsive inclusive planning
• implement a variety of tools and techniques that support holistic development
• navigate systems for continuity of service
• participate in research on a sector-related topic of interest to the learner
• transfer inclusive practice knowledge to community partners

This program is offered via a hybrid format with in-person learning, synchronous and asynchronous online learning, and a work-integrated learning experience.

Field experiences are pre-arranged by Humber at host agencies on behalf of the student. They are scheduled two days per week in both the first and second semester. The first field experience in semester one is online. Students are required to be available during the day to participate in the online experience. The second field experience, situated in the second semester of the program is an onsite in-person practicum at an external partner agency and requires full-time student participation.

Field experiences position students to integrate theory and practice by working with industry professionals who provide services to children, youth, and adults with diverse abilities/special needs/disabilities and their families. Students engage in leadership opportunities within the role of the resource professional and gain insight and understanding as they work as a team member to assess, develop and recommend responsive inclusive resources and services to clients and service partners. Students learn to work closely with inter-professional teams, and the community, to enhance person-centred practice and facilitate the process of inclusion.

Field experiences may include a combination professional roles working with individuals within community-based and government services; and agencies such as treatment centres, mental health agencies, child care centres, community living associations, elementary and high schools, colleges and multi-service agencies.

Graduates gain specialized knowledge, skills and abilities to enter employment, ready to collaboratively support children and adults with diverse abilities/special needs/disabilities. They act from an inclusive philosophy to ensure children and adults with physical, intellectual, social and emotional challenges benefit from full participation in daily life activities. Resource professionals build responsive relationships and work with service partners to navigate systems and seamlessly connect individuals and families to support services. Our graduates find employment in roles such as:

• communicative assistants and consultants
• early childhood resource teachers
• early interventionists
• early years' specialists
• educational assistants
• home support/respite workers
• infant development workers
• integration facilitators
• mental health consultants
• outreach workers
• resource consultants and support professionals