Spotlight on Community Partners

AlphaBee - Partner of the Bachelor of Behavioural Science program

AlphaBee provides Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) services to children and youth diagnosed with autism and other related disorders. With safety measures and restrictions in place for COVID-19, AlphaBee adapted services in order to continue supporting their community. In addition to providing in-person services, AlphaBee developed and implemented remote services for families such as 1:1 sessions and parent coaching. Additionally, the agency created a new training division, AlphaBee Pro, which offers synchronous and asynchronous workshops to ABA professionals, parents and community members. This platform has been useful to provide training to staff and make content available to placement students. The Alphabee team is continuing to find creative ways to communicate, share information, provide services, and stay connected with clients and their families and the community.

Endless Abilities - Partner of the Bachelor of Behavioural Science program

Endless Abilities provides in-centre and in-home behaviour therapy, as well as parent coaching for families and individuals living with disabilities. They offer virtual consultations to parents with a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). In July 2020, this organization began executing a 3-phase plan for re-opening. The plan involved gradually lifting restrictions while still adhering to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.

This Fall, Endless Abilities hosted two Humber students in a combination of in-person and remote work. Under the supervision of Senior Therapists, students attended one day per week at the centre to observe clients, practice ABA teaching techniques, engage in assessment protocols, and provide hands-on support at the clinic. The remote work component centered around preparing materials for in-person usage, developing programs and writing reports.

Learning Disabilities Association of Halton-Hamilton - Partner of the Bachelor of Child and Youth Care program

The Learning Disabilities Association of Halton-Hamilton (LDAHH) is a non-profit organization that provides programs and services to support those who are impacted by a learning disability, including children, adults, and seniors.

The LDAHH is continuing to support the community during this unprecedented time by adapting services to take place in a virtual environment. The agency modified entire programs such as Reading Rocks! and Typing Skills Program, to be delivered online instead of in-person. The agency also adapted workshops for parents and caregivers of children with Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD. Additionally, the annual conference, “Solutions for Learning Conference: Success Through Empowerment,”  will be hosted virtually, providing an opportunity to engage with an unlimited number of people.

Corbrook Awakening Abilities - Partner of the Developmental Service Worker and Social Service Worker programs

Located in Toronto and York Regions, Corbrook Awakening Abilities is a non-profit, charitable organization that provides support to youth and adults with developmental disabilities.

Corbrook has continued on-site support but with reduced numbers of staff and clients, focusing on small groups so clients can connect with staff or peers to continue exploring and learning within their communities. In addition, they have turned their traditionally in-person workshops virtual, covering topics such as Money Fundamentals, In the Kitchen, and even including fun activities such as a Karaoke Dance Party (an important aspect of their pre-COVID community), so that individuals have a chance to continue learning while also engaging in fun elements that many are missing in the virtual environment. Although these changes have been challenging, there have been a few positive outcomes including: the ability to bring the two locations together through virtual events, the capacity to connect in smaller in-person groups for interaction and support, and the opportunity for increased feedback and involvement from families.