Practicum Student Position

Connective is a dynamic non-profit organization that provides innovative programming in the social services sector. We strive to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all.

Practicum students are an integral part of the Connective team. During your practicum at Connective, you will gain valuable hands-on experience, and it’s important to us that those individuals get the most out of their Practicums with Connective.

Here is a brief guide of which educational programs match up with our programs.
- If you’re a studying Criminology or Justice Services, you might consider a practicum with our Community Based Residential Facilities
- If you’re studying Health Care, Psychology, Psychiatry or Social Services you might consider a practicum with our Residential Programs
- If you’re studying Social Services, Counselling, Human Services you might consider a practicum with our Outreach programs or Community Service Office

Learn about our program’s that offer Practicum Opportunities

Residential programs
We have a range of innovative, person-centered residential programs that assist people under the care of CLBC with diverse needs who may experience complex and intersecting barriers. This includes residential programs that provide affordable housing; alternatives to the traditional justice and forensic systems; programs that utilize a trauma-informed harm reduction model; and those for persons experiencing homelessness or risk of homelessness.
Some of our Community Living residential programs provide 24-hour living assistance, while others are independent suite options with access to staff supports. While our Community Living residential programs look different for each resident depending on their self-identified needs, goals, and interests, our programs provide options as necessary for skill building in the following areas to promote both community inclusion and greater independence:

- Personal hygiene, health/mental health, time management, meal planning and preparation, shopping, daily/weekly chores, and budgeting Daily living skills:

- Transportation, leisure, volunteering, interpersonal skills, relationship building, consideration, problem-solving, and public safety Community awareness and social maturity:

- Employment readiness preparation, referrals to community-based educational/job training programs, volunteer placements, job searches, resume, and job interviews Educational and vocational skills:

- Increasing community connectedness through activities that foster participation, inclusion, and access to essential support Increased social network:

- Enhancing opportunities related to volunteering, employment, recreational activities, day programs, and community engagement Community engagement:
Community-Based Residential Facilities
Our Community-Based Residential Facilities (CRFs) provide a safe, structured, and supportive housing environment with added supports for people on conditional release from federal and provincial institutions. Operating under contract with the Correctional Services of Canada, our CRFs assist residents to access the services, resources, and pro-social supports needed for them to successfully reintegrate into the community. Residents of our facilities are supervised by Community Parole Officers.

Outreach Programs
Our Community Living Outreach and Community Inclusion program provides person-centered, one-to-one services to adults referred to our organization by CLBC. Our programs support individuals to live as independently as possible while ensuring opportunities to engage in the community and build healthy relationships. Community-based outreach supports may include employment, housing, building healthy relationships, and social/recreational opportunities. Our Community Living Outreach teams serve individuals through our offices in Vancouver, Surrey, Abbotsford, and Kamloops.

**The goals of our Outreach program are**:

- Assist individuals to live as independently as possible while ensuring opportunities to participate in community activities of their choosing
- Promote independence by providing life-skills training through person-centered plans developed by the person served with assistance from their Outreach Worker
- Increase inclusion in the neighborhood and community
- Enhance and support quality of life of persons served

Community Services Offices
Our Community Service Offices (CSO) can be accessed by all people within our community looking for an inclusive space or in need of assistance; there is no referral process or criteria that must be met. Traditionally, the CSOs support those who experience persistent and multiple barriers to accessing mainstream community resources, particularly marginalized and vulnerable populations. Our experienced paid and volunteer staff are trained and knowledgeable in working with individuals involved in or impacted by the criminal justice system and provide critical supports to other agency programs and clients.
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