Scott Mitchell – The Living Classroom

Inspiring Future Caregivers through the Living Classroom

Among many teachings Ron Schlegel offered his three sons as they grew to eventually lead the organization he founded, he taught them to trust in the power of partnerships, but also to be sure to choose any partner in life wisely. Schlegel Villages president and CEO Jamie Schlegel shared this insight as he spoke at the opening of the new Living Classroom satellite training campus at The Village of Tansley Woods in Burlington, developed alongside Hamilton’s Mohawk College.
… Continue reading

By Kristian Partington
Reprinted from Schlegel Villages News

Schlegel Villages president and CEO Jamie Schlegel shared this insight as he spoke at the opening of the new Living Classroom satellite training campus at The Village of Tansley Woods in Burlington, developed alongside Hamilton’s Mohawk College.

“My dad has always reminded me and encouraged me to choose your partners in life carefully and make sure that those partners are aligned from a values standpoint,” Jamie said. “I can say without hesitation that we found such a wonderful partner in Mohawk College, that is aligned with our values and aligned with our objective and vision for doing the training of healthcare workers in a different and innovative way.”

Group photo of people celebrating the opening of the new Living Classroom — Representatives from Schlegel Villages, Mohawk College and The Village of Tansley Woods marked the opening of a new Living Classroom training campus within the Village.

PSW student Kim Hulme stands at a podium with Schlegel Villages VP of People Christy Parsonsium. — PSW student Kim Hulme (right) stands with Schlegel Villages VP of People Christy Parsons and shares her views on the opportunities the Living Classroom offers future students like her.

The development of engaged teams that are driven by the concept of relationship-centred care is one the most important priorities at Schlegel Villages, which is why it invests in the training of new caregivers through its in-house Living Classrooms. This new campus, located within Tansley Woods, is the fourth of these innovative classrooms Schlegel Villages has developed.

This model, Jamie explains, “allows students to learn right in the environment they’re ultimately going to work in and the neat part about this arrangement is it allows the residents and our existing team members to be part of the learning journey, and it creates such a rich and deep and relevant learning experience.”

The feedback from students who have graduated from previous Living Classroom cohorts over the years at Wentworth Heights, University Gates or Riverside Glen consistently point out the superiority of the immersive experience that this model offers future caregivers.

Kim Hulme is a Personal Care Aide working in the retirement neighbourhoods at Tansley Woods, and she is also training through Mohawk College to be a Personal Support Worker. She says her clinical placement next door in the Long-term Care neighbourhoods has been invaluable, and she believes the Living Classroom model will only enhance the experience for future students.

“The people that I’m working with are wonderful,” Kim says. “Everyone works as a team; I learn something new every day and I’m very well honoured to be part of this team.

“What a great opportunity and it’s just wonderful that the Living Classroom is here in Burlington.”

As Mohawk College’s Chief Operating Officer Paul Armstrong reflected on the partnership, which began with the college’s first Living Classroom at The Village of Wentworth Heights in 2019, he also spoke of shared values. “In any relationship, there’s just something in your gut that tells you it feels right,” he said. “Everything I’ve seen and every opportunity I’ve had to engage with (Schlegel leaders), it is really clear where your values and principles and priorities lie and it’s in the same place where they lie for me personally and where they lie for us as Mohawk College.”

The first students will begin their training in the fall of 2023 and will have every opportunity to work within Schlegel Villages once their education is complete.

Schlegel Villages and Mohawk College expand partnership, establish a dedicated training location in Burlington

Mohawk College and Schlegel Villages today launched a new satellite college campus location, embedded in The Village of Tansley Woods retirement and long-term care home in Burlington, ON…. Continue reading

Reprinted from Mohawk News Desk

Living Classroom at The Village of Tansley Woods to welcome students in September

Mohawk College and Schlegel Villages today launched a new satellite college campus location, embedded in The Village of Tansley Woods retirement and long-term care home in Burlington, ON.

The new Living Classroom replicates the successful teaching model that Mohawk College has operated with Schlegel Villages at The Village of Wentworth Heights in Hamilton. By constructing a training centre in the residence, Schlegel Villages and Mohawk College are providing students the opportunity to learn and gain practical experience as they provide supervised care for the Village’s residents.

The Living Classroom at The Village of Tansley Woods will become the home training location for students who choose to study there for the Personal Support Worker (PSW) and the Occupational Therapy Assistant and Physiotherapy Assistant (OTA/PTA) programs. Students will spend their entire program at the residence as they prepare for their careers. The Living Classroom includes classroom space, a skills lab, faculty offices, a student lounge and a mock apartment identical to those at the long-term care home.

The Living Classroom at Tansley Woods will be open in September 2023 to accommodate 24 OTA/PTA students and 24 PSW students.

“We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Mohawk College with the new Living Classroom at Tansley Woods, because we know this type of experiential learning creates exceptional caregivers. When we combine the hands-on experience students gain alongside our team members and the lived experience they learn from our residents, graduates begin their careers with a true understanding of what relationship-centred support looks like.”
— James Schlegel, President and CEO, Schlegel Villages

“This new training centre offers a great example of how strong, innovative collaboration can benefit the whole community. Mohawk College is proud to extend its partnership with Schlegel Villages to provide students with an exceptional training facility and unique experiential learning opportunities in their fields of study. Based on the success we have experienced with the Wentworth Heights Living Classroom, we are confident this training approach will provide the students in Burlington with a proven pathway to fulfilling careers in community care.”
— Paul Armstrong, Chief Operating Officer, Mohawk College

FAST FACTS

The Personal Support Worker program is a one-year certificate program at Mohawk College
The Occupational Therapy Assistant and Physiotherapy Assistant program is a two-year Ontario College Diploma program at Mohawk College
In addition to new the Mohawk College community campus at The Village of Tansley Woods, the Living Classroom at The Village of Wentworth Heights (Hamilton) was opened in January 2019, supporting the PSW program. Both programs are offered at Mohawk’s Institute for Applied Health Sciences at McMaster University
Schlegel Villages currently serves approximately 5,000 residents in its Long-Term Care and Retirement homes.
The Living Classroom at Tansley Woods is the fourth project of its kind for Schlegel Villages

Free tuition for PSW program offered at Marianhill in Pembroke

A long-term care home in Pembroke is offering a tuition free PSW program. Linda Tracey, the CEO at Marianhill Long-Term Care and Community Services, says they are offering a five month accelerated program to train personal support workers (PSW)…. Continue reading

Reprinted from Pembroke Today

Tracey says PSW professionals are in high demand and adds they are excited to be partnering with the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario to offer the tuition free program.

Tracey says the accelerated PSW program will typically run Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 3:00pm with some variation during clinical placements. Applications must be submitted by January 13th, 2023 and Tracey says they have 25 to 30 spots available.

PSW Program Coordinators are available to support you throughout the registration process by answering any questions you may have about the program, application process and funding opportunities.

In addition to free tuition, graduates of the PSW program who commit to working at Marianhill are eligible to receive $2,000 after two months and $5,000 after six months of employment. Marianhill is also providing earn-as-you-learn employment opportunities and those interested are asked to submit a resume with a list of positions available online here.

Tracey says Marianhill is undergoing a multi-million dollar redevelopment project that will see the long-term care home grow from 131 to 160 beds.

Haldimand County-Niagara College partnership brings post-secondary Personal Support Worker college program to Dunnville

Haldimand County and Niagara College Canada have once again partnered to offer the Personal Support Worker (PSW) college certificate program at Grandview Lodge in Dunnville starting in January 2023…. Continue reading

Reprinted from Haldimand County News

Haldimand County and Niagara College Canada have once again partnered to offer the Personal Support Worker (PSW) college certificate program at Grandview Lodge in Dunnville starting in January 2023.

A drop-in information session will be held on November 16, 2022 from 5 to 8 p.m in the Grandview Lodge Auditorium (657 Lock St. W) for those interested in learning more about the program and whether it may be a good fit.

Individuals who enroll will participate in 8 months of hands-on PSW training at Grandview Lodge, gain their Ontario College certificate and enter the job market with an established portfolio of PSW work experience.

Financial assistance is available for qualifying individuals, and anyone experiencing economic barriers is encouraged to contact Grandview Lodge staff at 905-774-7547 to learn more about tuition supports offered.

Graduates of the program will not only earn their college certificate, but have the unique opportunity to:

Foster relationships with PSW colleagues and establish professional networks for future employment references
Develop marketable skills necessary for success in the workplace
Access job opportunities in Dunnville upon successful completion of the program

“We’re thrilled to partner with Niagara College Canada to offer this innovative program in our community,” said Jennifer Jacob, Grandview Lodge administrator. “This exciting partnership allows students to be immersed in a long-term care environment while completing their practicum, which gives graduates the advantage of real-life experience when entering the job market,” Jacob noted.

“We are excited to work with Grandview Lodge again to help meet the education needs of prospective students and the healthcare needs of the community,” said Angela Butt, Niagara College Interim Dean, Health Sciences. “Our partnership with Grandview Lodge really facilitates Niagara College in living its vision of enriching lives and fulfilling dreams through applied learning and real-life experience!”

Individuals who are interested in the PSW profession or have an interest in pursuing a career within the healthcare sector are strongly encouraged to attend the November 16 information session to learn more.

More information about the Personal Support Worker certificate program is available on the Niagara College website. Anyone interested may also contact Grandview Lodge (905-775-7547 or grandview@haldimandcounty.on.ca) or Niagara College (myfutureNC@niagaracollege.ca for further details.

Students, Community Partner Laud Board’s PSW Program

The first class of personal support worker (PSW) students is about halfway through Near North District School Board’s (NNDSB) unique program, which re-engages learners while assisting to close the gap in employment needs in the healthcare sector. The program sees students learn in living classrooms – they learn theory and often within hours are on the floor putting into practice what they’ve just learned…. Continue reading

By Kelly Hart. Reprinted from Muskoka411.com.

PHOTO: Arianna Poullas and Jillian Hewitt are two of the PSW students in the inaugural program running at Cassellholme.

The program is running in Parry Sound and North Bay, with community partners Belvedere House and Cassellholme, which are providing the classroom space and mentorship of the PSW students.

The in-class sessions will wrap up June 30, then students will have to fulfil placement hours in both long-term care and community care settings.

In North Bay, instructor Nancy Corbett is no stranger to Cassellholme. She’s been a registered practical nurse (RPN) there for 25 years and has worked as a preceptor for practical nursing students.

She loves teaching in the living classroom, where students start to learn slowly with portering and feeding residents before they learn about hygiene and other aspects of care. Corbett says when students get to shadow PSWs, they learn by seeing others do the work, then get to try it themselves. She says living classrooms “are the way to teach. It’s the way to go,” because of the shortened timeframe between learning and doing.

The hands-on learning is what appealed to Arianna Poullas. The North Bay resident studied for a year at college but didn’t enjoy learning in a classroom from a textbook. The PSW program appealed to her because after theoretical learning, there is application of the knowledge.

“I like being able to do things with my hands,” says Poullas. “It makes things make sense to me.”

She says the small class size helps the group all feel like family, and says it’s been like that since the first day. The students are supportive of each other, and Poullas says this is the best program she’s ever been involved in. She says learning by reading “just doesn’t stick in my head”; she likes being out on the floor and is happy to not be learning solely by books.

PSW student Jillian Hewitt is also a part-time employee and single mom who enjoys the flexibility of the program.

She enjoys observing and learning from the PSWs, as she finds every person does things a little differently. Watching the others lets her find the best way for her to do the job.

Hewitt says the program is well-organized and the way it’s been taught has made the content “easy to absorb.” She feels supported by Corbett, her peers and staff at Cassellholme, and is confident in the skills she will have when she graduates after her placement hours.

Poullas loves working with Cassellholme’s residents and is hoping for a job in long-term care. She’s already been hired in the home’s Helping Hands program; Cassellholme Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jamie Lowery says it’s like a pre-PSW job position in which staff assist the PSWs.

Poullas is one of seven of the PSW students who have been hired as Helping Hands at Cassellholme. Lowery says the work that was done in vetting candidates has created a class of students who have “an inherent desire to be a PSW.” He says staff is “blown away” by the quality of students and of the course being taught.

NNDSB’s intake process is credited with successful inaugural classes.

Lisa Spencer, who facilitates specialist high skills majors and experiential learning for NNDSB says, “Our intake process consisted of an initial literacy assessment and interview where our team had the opportunity to meet and support each student individually. As a continuing education program, not all our students came to us with their high school diploma so really understanding the pathway for our students helped us to support the initiation process. We can see that our intake process is supportive, and we are very proud of all our students. They can earn their high school diploma while participating in a state of the art post-secondary program.”

Corbett says the interview process gleaned candidates who were best suited to the work of a PSW and who displayed the commitment needed to complete the course. Lowery says he was impressed with NNDSB and its flexibility in designing the program. Teaching learners to deal with difficult people is a skill that the PSW students can use in many aspects of life, not just at work.

He adds that for some, working as a PSW may be only the first step in a healthcare career. Cassellholme has a training budget for its staff which can help people meet their career goals.

There are plans to run the PSW program in September in West Nipissing and Mattawa, too. People interested in taking the PSW course can visit this page for more information. It contains links to an information session, information about the literacy assessment, and a fillable form to register interest in the program. Spaces are limited so potential students are urged to register as soon as possible.

School board’s PSW program helps fill ‘acute’ need in community

The Near North District School Board (NNDSB) launched a program this past October to help train personal support workers (PSWs), and the response has surpassed expectations…. Continue reading

By David Briggs. Reprinted from BayToday.com

Program provides hands-on training within a ‘living classroom’ setting

The Near North District School Board (NNDSB) launched a program this past October to help train personal support workers (PSWs), and the response has surpassed expectations.

The first cohort has been accepted, with 18 students taking part in North Bay with another 12 in Parry Sound. “We have created a wait list for September,” explained Lisa Spencer, the board’s coordinator of student success, “in the chance that we’re able to offer the same program again.”

Ideally, the program will once again receive funding from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, who paid the $2,000 tuition fee for each accepted student. The ministries also offered up to $5,115 for each student in the program to help offset living costs while they completed their training.

If similar funding can be arranged, and if there is interest from students, the plan is to extend the program and expand it to other areas, like Mattawa.

Interest was high for this intake, Spencer explained, noting that some of the new students “are graduates of the nursing program” and some are “re-engaged students” working to achieve a secondary school diploma. Some applicants came as “far as Moosonee” for the interviews. It is a “very wide-reaching program with a very wide variety of candidates,” she said.

The program is unique in that it allows students to earn up to six secondary school credits while they attend. For those without a diploma, this can help them reach that goal. The teaching method is also unique, focusing on hands-on learning, what Lucio Pavone calls “a living classroom.”

Pavone was the principal of Chippewa Secondary School in North Bay. Now retired, he is helping the board oversee this PSW program. “We started in mid-October,” he said, “and we are very pleased with the outcome as to where we’re at right now.”

He mentioned “one of the challenges of the pandemic is to find qualified instructors, and I think we’ve secured two amazing instructors,” one of whom holds a PhD in nursing, and the other is an RPN currently working at Cassellholme.

Cassellholme is one of the facilities where students will be placed, “learning the theory and application” of the job “right at the long-term care home,” Pavone said.

As the students advance “they are strategically placed with other PSWs in community placement, so it’s not necessarily restricted to those sites offering the learning,” Spencer explained. For instance, after gaining skills within a long-term care home, students may want to work with disabled adults or children with pervasive needs.

They will be “able to translate their skills to other places in the community,” Spencer said, and the additional workers will fill a need for PSWs in the area, a shortage that Pavone has heard referred to as “an acute crisis.”

The board is “happy to support” the PSWs entering the workforce through this program, noting it leads to “a solid career path with solid employment opportunities in our region.”

Pavone and Spencer are also working on Phase 2 of the program, which would help interested high school students stream directly into the PSW program upon graduation.

Feedback has been positive, the organizers said. One student mentioned to Pavone “that this is a life changing program for him,” and testimonials like that “really hits to the core of why we do what we do.”

For those interested in the program more information is available on the board’s website. Applications are open for a September 2022 start.

David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

West Nipissing General Hospital, Algonquin Nursing Home Partner with Near North District School Board on PSW Program

As a testament to the value of the program it is offering, Near North District School Board (NNDSB) has just created its third and fourth Memorandum of Understanding in two weeks. West Nipissing General Hospital (WNGH) in Sturgeon Falls and Algonquin Nursing Home in Mattawa plan to provide living classrooms in order to train Personal Support Workers (PSWs).

WNGH and Algonquin Nursing Home are the two most recent organizations to commit to working with NNDSB to provide a living classroom, in which students will learn theory in an on-site classroom, then apply those skills on the floor of the hospital. Students will do their clinical work on WNGH’s long-term care and complex continuing care units, and in the long-term care home in Mattawa.

Student costs of this program will be subsidized; tuition is covered by NNDSB.

Cynthia Dèsormiers, President and Chief Executive Officer of WNGH, says the hospital is eager to partner because, “there is a critical shortage of Health Human Resources (HHR) throughout Ontario and in our community as well. This is a program that allows us to think outside the box while fulfilling a need at WNGH and in our community. This program will provide a great opportunity for people in our community to kick start a new career in health care, and with the tuition being waived in the first year, it is like a gift for those who may have financial difficulties.”

NNDSB’s Director of Education Craig Myles says the board has worked hard to bring this hands-on learning opportunity to learners 18 years and older. “We’re excited to offer this training, which is accredited through the Personal Support Worker Professional Association. NNDSB will be training PSWs who will be ready to begin work upon completion of the course.”

The PSW program is a collaborative effort of the board, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and community organizations. The other partnerships will see living classrooms set up in Cassellholme in North Bay, and Belvedere Heights and Lakeland Long-Term Care in Parry Sound. (Hyperlinks are to media release about those partnerships.)

Dèsormiers says the program and partnership “is a win-win for both the hospital and the students. This is an opportunity for us to grow our own PSWs, which usually leads to recruitment and improved retention when they are from the community.”

Jay Aspin, Chair of the Board of Trustees of NNDSB, says the PSW initiative is a great way to re-engage adult learners while addressing a critical shortage of healthcare workers. “NNDSB is proud of its role in helping to educate and train skilled PSWs that are in high demand in all areas of the board. This innovative program serves so many purposes in our communities, including marvelous opportunities for our students.”

Dèsormiers says WNGH is “grateful for the opportunity to partner this year and in future years to fill a huge need in healthcare, while providing great employment opportunities and careers for people in West Nipissing and surrounding areas.”

Spaces in each program are limited. Anyone interested should plan to attend the information session on Thursday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. online. (Meeting is hyperlinked.)

Students who do not yet have their Grade 12 are eligible to apply. They can earn up to six credits towards their diploma while taking this training.

NNDSB is seeking partnerships with local long-term care homes in all regions of the board to re-engage learners who are 18+ interested in training to become a PSW. Any long-term care home interested in partnering should contact Liana Blaskievich, NNDSB’s Officer Corporate Affairs at 705-472-8170 ext. 5056 or liana.blaskievich@nearnorthschools.ca.

NNDSB Expands PSW Opportunity in Living Classroom Program to Belvedere Heights, Lakeland Long-Term Care in Parry Sound

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is excited to announce the expansion of the Personal Support Worker (PSW) training opportunity and a promising partnership in the Parry Sound region. The partnership with Belvedere Heights and Lakeland Long-Term Care are welcome news in an area where PSWs are in high demand.

NNDSB will provide PSW training on site at Belvedere Heights and Lakeland Long-Term Care in a living classroom environment. Participants in the program will do their theoretical learning in a classroom at Belvedere Heights, then be able to apply those skills on the floor of both long-term care homes, without having to wait for theory work to end before experiencing placement.

NNDSB hopes to help fill a growing demand for trained PSWs across the Near North region and to provide people 18 years of age and older with an exciting career path. NNDSB will work closely with community partners to establish a hands-on program, inclusive of placements, in partnered long-term care facilities.

A female PSW stands behind an older woman sitting in a wheelchair — PSWs are often referred to as the backbone of healthcare. Halle Stringer is a recent PSW grad working at Lakeland LTC, seen here with resident Dorothy O’Rourke.

A PSW looks after the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of someone who is not able to do so themselves, frequently in the elderly population. The main responsibilities of a PSW include ensuring the patient has healthy and nutritious meals, helping with daily tasks and working with an interdisciplinary team to ensure the best quality of care.

People who do not currently possess their Grade 12 are also eligible. This unique program allows NNDSB to support students in completing their OSSD in tandem with this program. If you are interested, you can request an educational assessment by contacting Trina Nelson in student services at Parry Sound High School, 705-773-7979 extension 8438.

NNDSB Director of Education Craig Myles, who has been instrumental in seeking opportunities for the board to provide this innovative programming states, “NNDSB is thrilled to expand this opportunity to the Parry Sound region. The program contributes to an emergent and vital need for the Near North region. We are proud to offer a program that supports adults (18+) to find a rewarding career path in the health care industry and respond to a community need.”

Supported by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, the student costs of this specialty program will be subsidized. Successful students of this program will become fully qualified as PSWs. The PSW program can be only the beginning of a journey into many healthcare opportunities. PSWs are employed in many care sectors such as homecare and assisted living and in various care facilities.

NNDSB’s partners in this program, are “excited by this awesome opportunity,” says Belvedere Heights Home for the Aged Administrator Kami Johnson.

“Our homes in Parry Sound are incredibly fortunate to work with a partner like our local high school,” says Steve White, administrator of Lakeland Long-Term Care. “Kami and I believe the Near North District School Board is not only going to make a difference in the lives of adults learning a new career, but in the daily lives of our seniors and most vulnerable.”

NNDSB is in the process of hiring qualified instructors for North Bay and Parry Sound. Instructors will be RNs or NPs with experience working in this field. Please refer to www.nearnorthschools.ca and select Join Our Team in the top right corner for employment information. NNDSB is excited by the expansion and still aiming for the new year to begin both programs. Registration is planned for January with an expected start of February 2022.

Spaces are limited. Anyone interested should plan to attend one of the two following information sessions: Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. online or Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. online. (Meetings are hyperlinked.)

NNDSB Chair Jay Aspin says, “The partnership in Parry Sound and the expansion of this programming is exactly what we aimed for. The alignment with the Board goals of excellence in innovation and excellence in building relationships is clear. We are eager to work in partnership with Belvedere Heights and Lakeland Long-Term Care on a sustainable pipeline of PSW students choosing highly rewarding programming in Northern communities.”

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For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

NNDSB Launches Innovative PSW Living Classroom Program at Cassellholme North Bay

Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is excited to announce the first of what it hopes will be many sustainable partnerships with long-term care facilities in all regions of the NNDSB.

NNDSB is proud to partner with Cassellholme in North Bay to provide Personal Support Worker (PSW) training in a living classroom environment at Cassellholme. Participants in the program will do their theoretical learning in a classroom at Cassellholme, then be able to apply those skills on the floor of the long-term care home, without having to wait for theory work to end before experiencing placement.

NNDSB hopes to help fill a growing demand for trained PSWs and to provide people 18 years of age and older with an exciting career path. NNDSB will work closely with community partners to establish a hands-on program, inclusive of placements, in partnered long-term care facilities.

People who do not currently possess their Grade 12 are also eligible. This unique program allows NNDSB to support students in completing their OSSD in tandem with this program. If you are interested, you can request an educational assessment by contacting Vice-Principal Sarah Spence at Laurentian Learning Centre, 705-472-5419.

NNDSB Director of Education Craig Myles has been instrumental in seeking out opportunities for the board to provide innovative programming. He stated, “Providing this type of opportunity is extremely important to the Near North community in that it serves adult students who need that leg up to a diploma and a rewarding career with many opportunities for growth. The program supports an emergent and vital need for the Near North region. We are proud to offer programs that support students and respond to a community need.”

Supported by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, the student costs for this specialty program will be subsidized. Successful students of this program will become fully qualified as a PSW. The PSW program can be only the beginning of a journey into many healthcare opportunities. PSWs are employed in many care sectors such as homecare and assisted living and in varied long-term care facilities.

NNDSB’s partner in this program, Cassellholme, has engaged employees in continued opportunities to learn as they earn and seek certification as Registered Practical Nurses (RPN), Registered Nurses (RN) or Registered Nurse Practitioners (NP). “Cassellholme is always looking for ways to be a community partner. By working with NNDSB, we can help foster a new generation of healthcare professionals which may very well be someone’s first step to a rewarding career,” said Cassellholme Chair Chris Mayne.

NNDSB is in the process of hiring a qualified instructor who is a RN or a NP with experience working in this field. Excited to start, NNDSB is aiming for the new year to begin this program. Registration is planned for January with an expected start of February 2022.

Spaces are limited. Anyone interested should plan to attend one of the two following information sessions: Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. online or Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. online. (Teams meeting information is hyperlinked.)

Near North District School Board Chair Jay Aspin said, “This is another proud moment for Near North District School Board in supporting our community. This innovative new program aligns with the Board goals of excellence in innovation and excellence in building relationships. We are enthused to work in partnership with Cassellholme and Ontario Health on what looks like just the beginning of highly rewarding programming in the North.”

“This partnership is a good example of increasing the accessibility of PSW training and education – a focus area of the North East Ontario Regional PSW Workforce Steering Committee,” said Michel O’Connor, Ontario Health North Eastern Region. The committee has come together to identify and to socialize some of the challenges affecting the retention, the recruitment and the sustainability of the PSW workforce. “We hope that the success of this collaboration will be sustained in the future and that the area will benefit from the investment in health human resources required to deliver healthcare services,” he said.

NNDSB is seeking partnerships with local long-term care homes in all regions of the board to re-engage learners who are 18+ interested in training to become a PSW. Any long-term care homes interested in partnering should contact Liana Blaskievich, NNDSB’s Officer Corporate Affairs at 705-472-8170 ext. 5056 or liana.blaskievich@nearnorthschools.ca.

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For more information, please contact:

Deb Bartlett
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca

Seniors’ Care Enriched by Living Classroom Model

Reprinted from Impact Stories, Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging.

Personal support workers (PSWs) provide hands-on care for more than 80,000 long-term care residents across Ontario. Their role in our healthcare system is vital to the well-being, health and quality of life of older adults.

In early 2020, a report from the Ontario Health Coalition drew attention to the escalating issue of PSW shortages in the province, which are now at crisis-level. The report raised daunting concerns for resident care and safety.

The Living Classroom partnership model addresses these challenges and profiles long-term care (LTC) and senior living as a rewarding career opportunity.

The Living Classroom partnership model was first implemented in the province in 2009 through a collaboration with Conestoga College, the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging and Schlegel Villages. Stemming from a shared vision to improve quality of life and care for LTC residents by training work-ready PSWs, the Living Classroom brings employers, educators, students, and residents together. Training takes place directly in LTC homes, providing real-world experience for students and mentorship opportunities for residents, while enabling employers to hire new graduates who understand the sector and are more confident about working with older adults.

The Living Classroom partnership model has been tested and evaluated in long-term care and retirement homes in both Guelph and Waterloo, with a recent publication in the journal Educational Gerontology providing evidence to support its success.

With support from the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care at the RIA, the Living Classroom model is being shared across Ontario. In 2020, the model was adopted by the St. Louis Adult Learning and Continuing Education Centres with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board.

“We were looking for creative solutions to address space constraints and to enhance the learning experience,” says Tammy Cantin, Program Manager of PSW Training at St. Louis.

“I heard about the Living Classroom through network meetings. It seemed like the ideal approach to meet both the needs of St. Louis and the community. We worked through the Implementation Guide provided to us by the RIA and then began looking for care partners who might be ready to try out this model with us.”

After eight months of exploring potential partnerships, St. Louis identified local care providers interested in adopting the model. Fairview Seniors Community in Cambridge, Ontario was ready to collaborate.

St. Louis and Fairview partnered and worked to transform unused space at the seniors community into a new classroom, complete with equipment to build hands-on skills, as well as a kitchenette and break room.

The first cohort of St. Louis students began their learning experience in October 2020.

“We wanted to explore innovative ways to encourage people to get involved in the rewarding field of caring for seniors,” says Elaine Shantz, CEO of Fairview and Parkwood Seniors Communities.

“The Living Classroom allows students to experience the incredible privilege of working with older adults. Not only are they learning practical skills to work in their field, they’re also fostering rich interpersonal skills – building relationships, evaluating how this work fits with their career goals, and gaining real-life experience so they can hit the ground running after graduation. It’s a unique learning opportunity.”

The partnership and adoption of the Living Classroom model also benefit residents and employers.

“Our residents enjoy connecting with younger adults; they benefit socially and mentally from the rewarding interactions with students,” says Shantz.

“From a workforce standpoint, we get to know students and can hire directly out of the program. The transition into employment is smooth and comfortable for students. The process is efficient for us. When the experience is mutually beneficial, we see higher retention rates. And that’s exactly what Ontario needs right now.”

While COVID-19 has affected the program’s enrollment capacity and interactive features for 2020-2021, both St. Louis and the Fairview Seniors Community expect that the Living Classroom experience will only get better.

“We’re excited to see how this model will look without pandemic restrictions,” says Tammy Cantin.

“But already we’re seeing meaningful impact for everyone involved. If we could run all of our classes this way, we would.”

The Living Classroom model is a prime example of how the RIA drives innovation to solve real-world problems and enhance quality of life and care for older adults.

To learn more about the Living Classroom, click here.