1

ASE ARTICULATION MINUTES (PROGRAMS)

June 2-3, 2005

Meeting held at VCC – Vancouver, B.C.

Guests:

  • Jan O’Neill (Literacy and ASE) Sr. Advisor on Literacy
  • Derek Nanson (BCATT Dean Liaison for ASE) Dean – Kwantlen
  • Stephanie Jewell, Dean – VCC

Present for ASE Programs:

Terry Byrnes (Chair)CapilanoEarl KrushelnickiCNC

Lorna DownieVCCRay BrockSelkirk

David GriegCamosunJean EmmersonDouglas

Debbie HolkestadNWCCWendy PanchyshynCOTR

Christina CederlofThompson Rivers UMarilyn RaymondOK College

Yale ShapKwantlenDarlene CarsonUCFV

Thursday June 2, 2005

  1. Joint introductory session with ASE Services
  2. In discussion with Jan O’Neill:

Phillip Steinkamp is leaving the Ministry. Those remaining are: Arlene Patton, Paul Goyan (Director of Private Institutions and Developmental Programs), Cheryl Bell (Manager of PIDP). Jan will be retiring this year and her position will soon be posted.

FTE targets for ASE are down by 8% but this may be due to changing MHR policy regarding access.

ASE Update:

  • EAPD Agreement now the Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities. Services provides an annual report that is forwarded to the Federal Government
  • Literacy – The Ministry has funded 3 pilot projects around the province
  • The Ministry is looking at having ASE do an outcomes survey over the next year. We had one in 1998. The Ministry would like our input as to how to do this and what questions to ask in terms of what kind of information we would like to see. Other considerations are who should be surveyed – leavers, non-completers, etc. Method of reaching the students should also be considered. We wish this to be as tangible and positive as possible examining employment, completion, enhanced social connection and quality of life, to name a few. (So that Cheryl Bell will not be inundated with individual responses and queries, please send your ideas, questions, etc., to either Lorna ( ), Terry () and also the Chair of DRN – Bob Logelin ( ) and we will keep in contact with Cheryl Bell. Jan will be sending Terry the questions of the ABE Outcomes Survey for us to use as guidelines.
  1. Stephanie Innes from the CMHA delivered a one-hour presentation on a 2-day course called “Mental Health First Aid”. This is a course designed to assist practioners to recognize mental health conditions, respond by providing intervention and then to be able to make the appropriate referral. This course has been put together due to the rise in mental illness. The CMHA can deliver this course with up to at least 3 weeks notice. The cost is $2700 for a group of 12-25 participants and this includes a manual. Websites to check out include the CMHA web and also The course overview includes the following: the ABC Approach, Depression & Anxiety, Personal Stories, Suicide, Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia, Psychosis Intervention, Concurrent Disorders and Community Resources.
  1. College Update – each college gave an update on their programs and situations. Discussion continued on the Outcomes Survey. We feel we need to look at success indicators and especially whom we should be interviewing. It was suggested that focus groups might be the most expedient way of obtaining the information we desire.
    A short discussion of the DRN’s (Disability Resource Network of BC) role in Adult Special Education took place. The DRN host the annual Special Education Conference and as well provides information to the Ministry and colleges about concerns and issues in our field. Colleges are encouraged to look at the DRN Website for information. As well, each college that belongs to the DRN has access to a newly created Award of Excellence given to employers we work with that we wish to have a provincial recognition. Each college is given one award to present. Names of the selected employer can be given to anyone on the DRN Executive.
  2. Occupational Health and Safety – As a follow-up to our discussions last year, each college was asked to bring the forms used for contracts with employers, agreements with students and site analysis of worksite hazards. These were discussed and shared.
  3. Access and Intake – Colleges shared their intake forms and procedures with discussion. Some excerpts of our discussions included:
  • Interview questions are based on existing curriculum to determine levels of competence and need. Tasks are also given to examine ability to attend programs in a college environment
  • Some pre-employment programs involve interviews with parents and potential students. Tasks are given to determine ability in the ability to read, comprehend, write as well as to do practical tasks and problem solve.
  • Other programs require at least 40 hours of documented work experience in particular areas.
  • Some colleges involve potential high school students in participating in program classes for a week or for half days over a period of time to enable the students to see what college is like and for the instructions to assess potential students.
  • Issues in transitions for all colleges include: bussing, no aides at the college level, levels of independence, etc.

Friday June 3, 2005

We were welcomed by Stephanie Jewell – Dean at VCC who extended an invitation to hold articulations at any time at VCC.

A. Derek Nanson – Dean – Kwantlen Liaison – update and report on Deans and Director’s meetings and ASE concerns.

Items:

  1. Derek sent out letters to his colleagues re: attendance and support for ASE Programs
  2. Funding letters – Although we have block funding our individual college funding letters should have reference to Ministry expectations of maintaining levels of service for Developmental Programs.
  3. There has been a significant change in the support provided to individuals on welfare to attend post secondary courses and programs. AVED is working to encourage MHR to support those individuals going back to school.
  4. Discussion of the disconnect between ABESAP funding and Student Loans, in regards to individuals who are both upgrading and taking UT courses, etc. occurred. The difficulty is being able to access the appropriate funding. This issue has been brought forward to the Ministry to see if we can blend the systems.
  5. The role of School Districts working in the Adult Education field regarding literacy was discussed. The Deans and Directors are pushing to have adults who need literacy to do so at Post Secondary Institutions rather than secondary schools.
  6. FTE subject: the Ministry will work with each institution to identify what the historical production has been and then only count what is legitimate education. This count will go to an “overseeing body” to verify an accurate FTE count. Institutions will have more of an input as to what is the divisor for the FTE count and they will determine length of times, amounts, etc. depending upon how delivery takes place.
  7. Derek has asked us to identify programs that were not allowed to attend articulation due to costs, etc. and he will contact them to discuss the importance of our meetings.
  8. Some websites for us to look at include: and the Ministry of Advanced Education website which will include each college’s funding letter and reference to developmental programs.
  1. We had discussion on possible topics for the DRN Conference on Feb. 21-22nd of 2006. Terry will give this list to this year’s Conference Chair – Priscilla Stanbury of Capilano College. If you have further ideas you may contact her at: There was a suggestion for a “request for papers” in the following areas: entrepreneurial, funding/grants, and marketing.
  2. The ASE Programs Articulation Committee discussed the formal articulation of Core Curriculum in Pre-Employment Programs across the province. The following is what we consider to be the main elements of a core curriculum in this area. Exact details of each component and delivery methods will vary according to institution, location, level of student, goals of programs, etc.:
  • Personal Management Skills including classroom behaviour, grooming, hygiene and wellness
  • Adapting to Work
  • Community Awareness/Linkages
  • Self-Awareness in terms of Abilities, Skills, and Values
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Communication Skills
  • Job Maintenance including: Goal Setting, Job Search, and Health and Safety
  • Essential Employability Skills” – includes 9 items: numeracy, literacy, oral communication, thinking skills/problem solving, writing, working with others, documents, computer usage, and information (research and usage)
  • Labour Rights and Responsibilities
  • Work Experience Component

Terry Byrnes is stepping down as the Chair of ASE Programs Articulation and Lorna Downie from VCC has accepted the position of Chair for 2006. The committee has decided to combine the 2006 ASE Articulation with the Provincial DRN Conference to be held next February at the Coast Hotel in Vancouver, B.C. The DRN will be February 21st and 22nd and Articulation will piggyback on this with meetings beginning the afternoon of February 22nd and a full day on February 23rd. Lorna will provide more details in the upcoming months.