This Board of Governors certificate program is designed to enhance the learner's skills and knowledge with practical instruction on how to best navigate the many social programs and other regularly encountered issues of everyday life that often impact those who are marginalized and/or live in poverty in our community. The program provides training in advocacy techniques, reviews current legislation, relevant procedures, bureaucratic systems, appeal tribunals, and other topics necessary for a hands-on understanding of the course subject matter.
Participants will receive the Certificate in Community Advocacy upon successful completion of CACP-1001 Community Advocacy Techniques and seven additional courses (a total of eight courses) within the program.
Participants who have earned the basic certificate can earn an Advanced Certificate in Community Advocacy after successfully completing four additional courses in the program (a total of 12 courses.)
Please Note: This program is not intended to and does not, by itself, qualify someone for employment in a particular position or as an independent "community advocate". This program is intended to enhance and supplement one's existing educational background (such as community service worker diplomas, social work degrees, and other social and community service backgrounds), as well as one's existing job skills and experience.
The Community Law School (Sarnia-Lambton) Inc. (CLS), a nonprofit, charitable public legal education organization, designs and delivers the instruction for this certificate program in partnership with the Lambton College Online Education department. The instructors are Margaret Capes, B.A. (Hons.), LL.B., M.Ad.Ed. (live and online) and Kathryn M. Bullon, B.Sc., J.D., M-Ad.Ed. (online).
See Course List
Admission Requirements
Applicants must possess a recognized academic credential in a related/relevant field, or be currently enrolled full-time in a recognized diploma or degree program, in a career field such as:
- Developmental Service Worker
- Child & Youth Care
- Social Service Worker
- Early Childhood Education
- Educational Assistant
-or-
- Similar programs and/or have earned a degree in Psychology, Education, Social Work, Child Studies, Rehabilitation, or similar programs.
Exceptions for individuals wishing to take a single course for personal purposes will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Learners with an interest in mental health laws and advocacy issues, including those who do not meet the admission requirements for the full Community Advoccy program, are welcome to register for the individual CACP-1141 Mental Health Laws and Advocacy course.
Applications for this program are not accepted through ontariocolleges.ca.
If you are taking part-time courses with the intention of completing a program and earning a credential,
you must meet Admission Requirements outlined on the program page. It is the student's responsibility to supply proof of admission
requirements to the Office of the Registrar before he/she has completed three courses in the program.
If you do complete the program and do not have the appropriate admission requirements, you will be ineligible to receive
your certificate or diploma.
If you believe you have an equivalent level of knowledge and would like credit for Prior Learning Assessment, please contact
Counselling at 519-479-1023 at least two weeks before classes begin.
Course List