What is a Community Participation Placement?

Community Placement is any unpaid, volunteer work experience or service with community-based agencies (not-for-profit or government), or with our in-house Food and Clothing and Public Services projects which are directly supervised by Ontario Works staff). Placement opportunities are available to families receiving financial assistance through the Ontario Works Act, as well as the Ontario Disability Support Program.

Positions are developed by our Placement Co-ordinators with agencies who agree to be service providers for the program (Sponsored Placements) and with participants wanting to develop their own opportunities (Self Declared). Placements are also developed by our Project Co-ordinators and staff to meet project needs and with agencies wanting to be involved in the services offered by our in-house projects.  Placements can be up to six months (possibly extended up to eleven months if there is an approved specific training plan in place) for each position to a maximum of 70 hours per month.

What are the benefits of a Community Placement Program?

Involvement in Community Placement provides participants with an opportunity to give to their community.  It also provides an opportunity to structure their time, working and networking with others in a variety of activities to achieve a sense of accomplishment, of being a valued member of the community. Placement offers participants opportunities to make use of and enhance their knowledge and skills.  Placement may lead to paid work as placement enhances their self confidence; provides knowledge, skills and experience towards a chosen career; develops contacts within the community; and may even provide referrals to and references for prospective employers.

How does Community Placement benefit our community?

For our community, Community Placement enhances the community services and programs offered by its agencies and our projects. Through the program, it gains members with knowledge, skills and experience leading to paid work and a reduction in reliance on the social assistance system.

What if I am accepted into the Community Placement Program?

If accepted into the Community Placement Program, you will be expected to:

	regularly attend your placement as scheduled by the agency/projects and perform to the best of your ability.
	Work with us to track the hours and activities of the placement, providing a report in a timely fashion

What types of Placements are available to me?

Positions are available in a wide variety of agencies. Some examples are:

	Child Care Program Assistants
	Cleaning and Maintenance – Building and Grounds
	Office/Clerical positions
	Customer Service
	Research Assistants
	Education Assistants
	Library Assistants
	Community and Residential Worker Assistants
	Program Assistants
	Church and Social Events Support
	Animal Care
	Recreational Activities
	Food and Clothing
	Public Services

What can Agencies and Sponsors expect from the program?

Community Placement enables agencies to augment the efforts of their volunteers and staff to better provide the programs and services they offer their clientele and the community. Placement also enables agencies to develop and implement other services and activities.  Agencies work with participants to make best use of their knowledge and skills and to build upon these within the placement. They support participants in their job seeking efforts.

 

What are the guidelines for position requirements?

Placement positions must abide by a number of requirements:

	With a not-for-profit or government organization
	Offer interesting experiences of value to the agencies and community where skills are either enhanced or learned
	Meeting Health and Safety Standards
	Meeting Employment Standards
	Meeting Human Rights Standards
	Protecting privacy/confidentiality
	Flexible to meet paid work and job interviews

While on placement, participants are covered under the Ministry of Community and Social Services coverage of either Workplace Safety Insurance or Accident Insurance.

You may be accepted into a Community Placement if you receive assistance either through the Ontario Works Act or the Ontario Disability Support Program and:

	you are already volunteering and wish to have it counted towards you Community Placement Program
	you have an interest in volunteering with a certain agency, group or organization
	you want to further review your opportunities for involvement in Community Placement

If you are a non-profit or government agency and interested in how your agency might be interested in being in our program contact our Community Placement Co-ordinators to review your options for involvement.