——

Mad Hatter Page 2

Over thelength of the program, students will spend 16 weeks in practicum settings and in the latter stages will often have a choice of what type of facility they will enter, Tennant says.

"We ask each of the students for a list of three preferred work situa- tions," he says. “And with our contacts we can often find a job that will fit directly into the students' career plans."

And the practicum courses have gone a long way in giving Douglas College one of the most well respected counselling programs in the province, Two years ago, the course placed approximately 85 per cent of its graduates directly into the work force.

"That's a real high standard of employment," Tennant says. "In all fairness the job situation is getting tighter, but our sense is that stu- dents are still getting jobs.”

And finding work for Child Care Counselling graduates is something he does not find too difficult to do. A large number of employers will hire students who worked in their facilities during the practi- cum courses.

Highlights of the program would have to include the "normalization"

classes given during the first semes7

ter which show students how to "integrate clients into mainstream programs," Tennant says.

What this means is if a child has difficulty in a special area,or shows a lack of opportunity because of a specific need, the graduates will find ways to help thechild adapt to the community, Tennant says.

Another aspect of Child Care

Counselling is establishing trust with a problem child. Students willl learn to spell out their expectations and set realistic goals for the children they work with, he says.

"The important thing you have to remember is that you're not going to change a person's behaviour over three days. You have to foster a good attitude in a good environment."

"The children you work with may have| been through some difficult times and many want to take some time be- fore they begin to trust or listen to you," Tennant says.

Other courses in the program look at the stresses on children, the home environment, and the processes needed to develop helping relation- ships through the use of activities and routines.

"This is an awful lot to learn in just a one-year program, but I feel the course is structured to help our students learn the specifics of the Child Care Counsellor in a variety of settings," he says.

"We give them a lot of experience through the practicums and the. basics are all covered."

Applications to next August's Child Care Counselling program will close April 1, but chances of enrollment are much higher if a student contacts Douglas College immediately, he says

Like most other career programs, a waiting list will be in place a month before deadlines for applica- tions close, he adds.

"This is a specific program designed for people who really want to help children and adolescents," Tennant says. “It's something I feel very strongly about, and I think it's important."