CASC/ACSS Policy and Procedure Manual Chapter 1 - 1 -
Chapter 1
Information Package
for
New Members and Students
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A.President’s Letter of Welcome…………………………………………………..Page 2
B.The Canadian Association for Spiritual Care……………………………………Page 3
C.National Regions………………………………………………………………...Page 3
D.National Office…………………………………………………………………..Page 3
E. Join Us!...... Page 3
F. Membership
- Membership Categories ...... Page 4
- Benefits of CASC Membership...... Pages 4-5
- CASC Website…………………………………………………………… Page 5
G. Links provided for more information………………………………………….... Page 5
Congratulations and welcome to a truly international Spiritual Care/Psycho-Spiritual Therapy and Education Organization with members located in every province in Canada, as well as various countries throughout the world.
Through your membership in CASC/ACSS you join over 1000 other spiritual care professionalsand psycho-spiritual therapists, who are committed to excellence in Education, and Standards of Practice, as well as transparency through a clear Code of Ethics. You join a network of colleagues who are willing to share ideas in the pursuit of ‘best practice’ with two different scopes of practice and open to opportunities for mutual support.
Make sure you check out our website on a regular basis, This is where you will find all the information pertaining to CASC/ACSS including educational opportunities and job postings. The website also provides valuable information and forums for the consideration and discussion of pertinent ideas
You will receive announcements notifying you of trends, developments, important concerns, and issues that are impacting our profession across the country. In addition, members meet in regions across Canada to share local concerns and to find camaraderie. Be sure to contact a member in your region to learn of upcoming events. Click here to see a list of the 8 CASC regional representatives across Canada.
In addition, through your membership you will have access to the electronic version of the Journal for Pastoral Care and Counseling with recent articles, studies and prose to enrich your professional growth. Perhaps one of the most important offerings provided by CASC/ACSS is access to affordable and comprehensive liability insurance. If you have not considered the benefit of such insurance for your practice please consider contacting our national office for more information.()
As President of this dynamic organization I am very happy that you have chosen to join us. Should you wish to share ideas or make personal contact with me, or with the CASC/ACSS Board of Directors, please feel free to contact me
You can also access me through the national office at
In our work of offering care and nurturing spirit, may our spirits too be nurtured and cared for, in our practice and in our relationships with each other.
I remain yours very truly,
Elaine Nagy, Acting President
B. CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR SPIRITUAL CARE
The Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC/ACSS) encourages and promotes supervised pastoral education (SPE) as a part of professional education for ministry and supports high standards of practice in spiritual care and psycho-spiritual therapy. Its functions include: association, education, accreditation, certification and research.
CASC/ACSS holds an annual general meeting at which the members decide on matters pertinent to the organization. The ongoing life and work of the organization is governed by a national Board of Directors made up of executive officers and commission chairs.
C.National regions
CASC is sub-divided into geographic regions, each having an executive and sub-committees. Members of CASC are automatically members of the region in which they reside or work.
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CASC/ACSS Policy and Procedure Manual Chapter 1 - 1 -
• Atlantic (ATL)
•Quebec - affiliated partner (L'AIISSQ)
• Ontario North East (ONE)
• Ontario Central& Northwest(OCN)
• Ontario South West (OSW)
• Manitoba (MB)
• Saskatchewan (SK)
• Alberta (AB)
• British Columbia (BC)
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CASC/ACSS Policy and Procedure Manual Chapter 1 - 1 -
Each region has an executive, annual meetings and educational events. To view click on name of region or go to the CASC webpage under the “About us” tab, then scroll down to the “regional contacts” heading and select desired region from the drop down list.
D.National Office
CASC/ACSS
1267 Dorval Drive, Unit 27
Oakville, ON -
Canada L6M 3Z4
Good for all North America1-866-442-2773
Local number: 289-837-2272 (289-837-CASC)
Fax: 289-837-4800
Email:
E. Join US!
It is possible to join CASC on-line at our website: Click here to become a member. If you need any assistance, please contact the National Office (information above).
F.1 Membership Categories
1.1.Associate Member:
An Associate Member is any person who wishes to support CASC and receive the benefits of membership. Associate Members range from those having no CPE or PCE training to those having multiple Advanced Units.
1.2.Certified Member:
A Certified Member is a CASC Spiritual Care Practitioner, Psycho-Spiritual
Therapistand/or Supervisor-Educator.
1.3.Member Emeritus:
A member who has completely ceased:
a) to earn remuneration from spiritual care/psycho-spiritual therapyactivities full-time, part-time or on contract, and
b) to utilize his/her certification as a Spiritual Care Practitioner, Psycho-Spiritual Therapist and/or Supervisor-Educator.
1.4.Student Member
Any person enrolled in a basicSupervised Pastoral Education (SPE) unit.
F.2 Benefits of CASC/ACSS membership include:
Reduced rates for the annual convention
Affordable Professional Liability Insurancefor our members
Access to the CASC/ACSS website where careers are advertised, as well as CPE and PCE educational opportunities across the country
Complimentary on-line subscription to The Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling.
Membership in a national association that is recognized as a leader in spiritual care and psycho-spiritual therapy delivery and education and is consulted by provincial and national bodies
Membership demonstrates high level of professionalism and commitment to one’s own development and the disciplines of spiritual care and psycho-spiritual therapy
Support through verified Competencies and Scope of Practice
Support through strong advocacy for advancing and promoting our profession
Access to peer support, mentorship and supervision
Access to the Members Only area including the online Directory, enabling direct access to colleagues from coast to coast
Opportunity to network with others who are concerned about the practice of high quality education in our professions
Access to Bursaries offered from our Foundation (the Canadian Foundation for Spiritual Care), to support student members experiencing financial difficulties
Access to Research Grants which promote our members’ research
Opportunity to share in the developmentof standards for spiritual and psycho-spiritual therapy at the provincial and national level
Representation to Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) and on Quality End of Life Care Coalition Canada (QELCCC)
Recognition of reciprocity with four international partners
All of these benefits are available to the members of our unique association. May our diversity continue to be a source of strength and encouragement to the members of our association as well as to the people we serve.
F.3 CASC WEBSITE
the latest information about the organization, its educational centres and teaching supervisors and the Standards of Education and Practice. Additionally,there are many resources including a member’s area with information for members only as well as the membership directory. We advertise positionson the website under “Practice/Profession”/Careers. Centres that offer CPE and PCE courses and residencies are found under “Education” then either “CPE “, “PCE” or “Residencies”.
- LINKS PROVIDED FOR MORE INFORMATION:
1. Apply for Membership-or click on Red “Join CASC” button on CASC front page(LINK)
2. Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct(Chapter 5 Manual)(LINK)
3. Scope of Practice and Standards of Practice-scroll down and click on links (LINK)
4.The White Paper on Professional Chaplaincy
Its Role and Importance in Healthcare – A Summary- 2016(LINK)
5. Glossary of Terms-Chapter seven in the manual (LINK)
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