Through a joint partnership with Eabametoong First Nation, Bearskin Lake First Nation, Sandy Lake First Nation, North Caribou Lake First Nation, Lakehead University, Indigenous Services Canada First Nation and Inuit Home and Community Care, and St. Joseph’s Care Group, Confederation College is excited to announce the first cohort of graduates from the Community Rehabilitation Worker Program.
The program, led by the eight institutions and funded by Indigenous Services Canada First Nation and Inuit Home and Community Care, trains students to support rehabilitation needs in the communities while rehabilitation professionals (Kinesiologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists) are not in the remote communities. Community Rehabilitation Workers work with home care teams to assist clients with exercise, assistive devices, home safety, as well as ensure that clients follow through with their care plans provided by rehabilitation professionals.
“The initiative helps bridge the gap and bring better healthcare to isolated communities within the region. We are proud to offer flexible programming, through partnerships, to meet the needs of students and their communities,” explained Kathleen Lynch, President of Confederation College.
The partnership between the eight institutions invited students from Bearskin Lake First Nation, Eabametoong First Nation, North Caribou Lake First Nation, and Sandy Lake First Nation to participate in the program.
The students began their studies in March and have travelled to Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout and each other’s home communities to learn rehabilitation principles and practical skills. They are in training one week a month and the other three weeks they return home to practice their rehabilitation skills with clients in their community.
Six students have successfully completed the program and graduated November 25, 2022. CRWs names and contact information are listed on the Services Map of the rrcp.sjcg.net website in their communities Eabamet Lake, Sandy Lake and Weagamow Lake. .