A person with special needs may experience some challenges and opportunities. Some of the daily experiences of life, for example, may be more difficult for some clients at CRCA and their families. Some children and youth may have difficulties with the managing the ups and downs of growing up, starting or changing school, finding friends, finding welcoming and fun community activities, and navigating the teen years. Some parents and extended families receiving services from CRCA may experience some difficult emotions from time to time impacting their well being. You can get counseling, information, support in response to life situations that young people and their families find especially challenging, from a Social Worker.

The Profession of Social Work

Social workers help and empower individuals, families and communities to resolve problems that affect their day-to-day lives. People consult social workers when they are going through a difficult period in their personal, family and work life. Social workers help identify the source of stress or difficulty, make assessments, mediate between conflicts, offer various forms of counseling and therapy, and help people to develop coping skills and find effective solutions to their problems.

Social workers believe in the intrinsic work and dignity of every human being. They are dedicated to the welfare of individuals and to the achievement of social justice for all. Social workers are pledged to service their clients without discrimination on any grounds. The values of acceptance, self-determination and respect for the individual are fundamental to all forms of social work practice.

Social Workers, are regulated by the College of Social Workers and follow a code of ethics that govern their work with the public (OASW).
Social workers provide individualized client and family support realizing that each client and family have their own unique needs, concerns and strengths. Social work services, therefore are based on the mutual goals of the client and family.

The Social Worker’s role as a member of the therapy team can include:

• Providing intake services for clients referred to CRCA.
• Providing resource information and referrals for clients and their families to programs and services within CRCA and in the community.
• Developing and facilitating groups for clients and families of CRCA.
• Providing support to families regarding a child’s diagnosis, providing counseling around issues such as coping, parenting, stress, advocacy.
• Conducting strength based family support assessments and providing follow-up services.
• Consultations with therapists and assistance with programs and services within CRCA to help support clients and families.
• Coordination of services through liaising with community agencies and services to facilitate client/family care.
• Brief Counseling services to clients and their families.
• Supportive counseling, as required based on client and families needs.
• Assisting families and clients to plan for transitions eg. to adult services, school, family relocation.
• Liason with community, district and regional offices through advocacy and committee work to enhance policy and services that impact children with special needs and their families.