Connexion

Special Care Counsellors play a key role in the mental health field, in education, and in human relations.
They actively participate in the social integration process of any individuals experiencing adaptive difficulties.

Student

Why and how to become a Special Care Counsellor? Join the Association that will support you throughout your journey.

Special Care Counsellor

Your benefits, your tools and your obligations for a rigorous and stimulating practice in the field.

Public

Why and how to consult a Special Care Counsellor? An intervention that makes a difference, a rigorous practice.

About Us

Our Story

Created in 2012, the Quebec Association of Special Care Counsellors (QASCC) is dedicated to promoting and defending the interests of special education in Quebec. The Association was created from the unification of the professional associations in special education, known in French as: “Regroupement des Associations professionnelles de l’éducation spécialisée” (RQAPES). It has been solicited by several public and private institutions to clarify the professional actions of Special Care Counsellors in order to validate their reference framework in the field of special education.

The provincial government has approached the QASCC for their participation in the committee of the National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services (INESSS), due to the Special Care Counsellors’ active participation in their intervention with children who have Dysphasia. Our participation on the committee was to contribute to the Clinical Practice Guidelines "Organization of Continuum and Provision of Services to Children 2 to 9 Years of Age with Developmental Language Disorder (Primary Language Disorder)".

The QASCC has been asked by the Quebec Public Health Association (ASPQ) to participate in a group of experts on bullying with regard to weight in elementary school. The association also acts as a consultant to different employers (CIUSSS, CISSS and school boards) in relation to the description of the tasks and the role of Special Care Counsellors.

As the only association of Special Care Counsellors officially recognized by the Quebec government, the QASCC examines the interests of its members and gives them access to an array of exclusive benefits and services, thereby contributing to the growth of the profession.

Board of Directors

Sylvain Ratel

Special Care Counsellor - President | Member of the Board since 2012

DEC in Special Care Counselling – CEGEP du Vieux-Montréal
DESS in public administration – ÉNAP
Bachelors in psychoeducation – UQTR

Sylvain Ratel worked in the mental health field for over 35 years. He worked at the "’Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (IUSMM)" as a worker, then as a coordinator, then as of February 2003, as manager of a rehabilitation group home serving the community. Specializing in crisis intervention for individuals who have behavioural difficulties, he also offers trainings and conferences for over 12 years in many organisations (CLSC, CSSS, "Fondation des maladies mentales", "Réseau des centres psychiatriques du Québec", community organisations). His approach focuses on health management in human relations and in crisis interventions. He also founded the Association of Special Care Counsellors Working in Mental Health (Association des éducateurs et des éducatrices en santé mentale) in 2005 and has actively participated in the creation of the QASCC, in which he is president since 2015.

Marc Sauvageau

Special Care Counsellor - Vice-President | Member of the Board since 2013

Responsible for communications, private practice, member of the committee for the creation of a professional order in Special Care Counselling.

DEC in Special Care Counselling – Cégep du Vieux-Montréal

Marc Sauvageau works as a Special Care Counsellor in the psychiatry department for individuals with intellectual disabilities at the "Institut Universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (IUSMM)".

Steeve Bilodeau

Special Care Counsellor - Tresurer | Member of the Board since 2012

DEC in Health Sciences – Cégep de Lévis-Lauzon
DEC in Special Care Counselling – Collège Mérici

Steve Bilodeau has worked in the health and social services field for over 32 years. He is also involved in many committees (CLSC, CSSSS). He worked as an internship supervisor (2000–2016) and also works for the regional training committee in Quebec as an advisor and administrator for over 14 years.

He was a founding member of the former "APEESQ", from 2001 to 2011, and was later a member of the Board of Directors for the QASCC since its establishment back in 2012.

Isabelle Blais

Special Care Counsellor - Secretary | Member of the Board since 2017

DEC in Special Care Counselling – Cégep de Sainte-Foy

Isabelle Blais works as a Special Care Counsellors in a community integration program in the physical disability field at the "CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale (Institut de réadaptation en déficience physique de Québec)".

Nathalie Kralian

Special Care Counsellor - Administrator | Member of the Board since 2018

In charge of the English content for the QASCC and translation and member of the website sub-committee.

DEC in Special Care Counselling – Vanier College

Nathalie Kralian works as a Special Care Counsellors for individuals who have intellectual disabilities and/or who are on the Autism Spectrum at the CRDITSA Miriam Home & Services.

Sylvain Lacroix

Special Care Counsellor - Administrator | Member of the Board since 2017

In charge of social media content, of corporate partnerships and member of the Competency Framework committee.

DEC in Special Care Counselling - Cégep du Vieux-Montréal
Bachelors in Social Sciences - Université de Montréal
Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – Université McGill

Sylvain Lacroix works as a Special Care Counsellor in the Child Psychiatry department at the "Institut universitaire en santé mentale Douglas".

Anaïs Fugère

Special Care Counsellor - Administrator | Member of the Board since 2019

DEC in Special Care Counselling - Cégep du Vieux-Montréal
DEC in Community Recreation and Leadership Training - Cégep du Vieux-Montréal

Anaïs Fugère works as a private worker in Special Care Counselling at the "Clinique Interdisciplinaire Compleō de Beloeil". She works with individuals who have anxiety and/or learning disabilities. She is also implicated in the school sector and in the community sector for over 10 years.

André Jr Turcotte

Special Care Counsellor - Administrator | Member of the Board since 2019

DEC in Special Care Counselling – Collège de Valleyfield – 2008
University studies in Organisational Communication – TELUQ – 2017 to date

André Jr. Turcotte is a Special Care Counsellor working at the Philippe-Pinel National Institute in Legal Psychiatry for over 10 years. He is also a certified OMÉGA trainer by ASSTSAS since 2018 and offers trainings in the health and social services network as well as in community organisations.

Michelle Séguin

Special Care Counsellor - Administrator | Member of the Board since 2019

Bachelors of Arts in Translation - Concordia University
DEC in Special Care Counselling – Cégep du Vieux-Montréal

Michelle Séguin works as a Special Care Counsellor for individuals who have mental illness in a community organisation. She also has experience in geriatric psychiatry.

Emeritus Members

Camille Parent, inducted September 12, 2014 | Lire le texte d'intronisation

Claire Lalancette, inducted September 12, 2014 | Lire le texte d'intronisation

Luc Bellemare, inducted September 12, 2014 | Lire le texte d'intronisation

Michel Landry, inducted September 10, 2016 | Lire le texte d'intronisation

Tony Maciocia, inducted September 10, 2016 | Lire le texte d'intronisation

QASCC Events

The QASCC regularly offers training and networking events with discounted prices for its members. The association also organizes Quebec Week of Special Care Counsellors yearly in the month of April.

Discover upcoming events

QASCC Official Publications

Minutes of the previous general assembly
Code of Conduct
Intervention Plan in Special Care Counselling
List of non-reserved acts that SCCs may use

Members also have access to various tools and useful documents for their practice (private or public).

It pays to become a member!

How to become involved as a member

The Association is constantly looking for members to:

Join the Board of Directors
Organize activities and events
Spread awareness of the association in all regions of Quebec
Develop new projects

Contact Us

Documentation & Information

Why
create
an order?

The QASCC has been working since 2012 to create a professional order in Special Care Counselling.

To sustain the profession
To maintain our professional achievements
To acquire new fields of practice
To create a structured practice
To promote and publicize the profession
To protect the public

A Look Into the Profession

Since the second half of the twentieth century, important actions have been put forward on a daily basis by Special Care Counsellors to help people with social maladjustments who were in need of psychosocial rehabilitation. SCCs have addressed social difficulties by proposing significant actions adapted to the different realities of these individuals of all ages, with the objectives of social reintegration or optimal development of their adaptive capacities in mind.

These essential services are aimed at people most often among those considered to be the most vulnerable in society. They require increased levels of knowledge, expertise and accountability because they are likely to cause serious harm if poorly supervised or delivered by people lacking the necessary knowledge and skills. In the absence of a structure with the legal scope to propose solutions or actions, current solutions remain incomplete or partially satisfactory.

That is why, in light of all the data collected in the field, after analyzing the prejudices experienced by people who have received the services of SCCs and, especially, the unfortunate tendency of people practicing with an SCC title without having the required certification (which is the biggest source of complaints handled by the QASCC), we believe that Quebec must, without delay, propose a legal framework to ensure the full and complete protection of all clienteles receiving services from SCCs. We must guarantee Quebeckers that only qualified professionals can practice in the field of special education.

The Competency Framework: An Essential Document

The QASCC presents this document, which is an abridged version of the Competency Framework developed by Éduconseil Inc. on behalf of the Association. The production of the Competency Framework is an integral part of a QASCC project to reach a level of excellence of professional practice in the field of specialized education.

Indeed, the Association wishes to have at its disposal an official document which presents the profession in a rigorous, realistic and complete way and which, in doing so, will constitute a precious reference to realize its mission as a professional association as well as to accompany its members in the fulfillment of their professional responsibilities. The Association also hopes that the Competency Framework will serve as a benchmark in the context of the creation of a professional order dedicated to the profession.

You can now download your copy of the abridged version of the Competency Framework (available soon in English).

What is
a Professional
Order

A professional Order has a mission to ensure the protection of the public, the quality of professional services and the development of the profession.

It is an organization governed by law and to which the State delegates the power to regulate the access and the exercise of a profession in order to guarantee the competent and integrated execution of activities deemed risky which characterize it.

In return for the privilege granted to the members of the order to be the sole person to be entitled to bear a title and, if necessary, exclusivity on certain acts, the constitution in professional order implies important responsibilities, prerogatives and constraints intended to protect the public.

What is NOT
a Professional
Order

A group of people that have similar work tasks and responsibilities.
A professional association or a workers union that collectively defends the social and economic interests and working conditions of its members.

Project Progress

The QASCC would like to share a progress report regarding the Order Project.
Would you like to know more about the progress of the project? Contact us

–––

February 27, 2019
Sent the Competency Framework to the "Office des professions du Québec".

–––

December 14, 2018
The QASCC completed the creation of the Competency Framework in collaboration with the ÉduConseil firm.

–––

May 2, 2018
The QASCC continues discussions with Mrs. Lise Horth so that ÉduConseil can provide an estimate of the work to redact the Competency Framework.

–––

April 4, 2018
The QASCC continues to work on the questionnaire needed to collect data on the risk of harm with the participation of Mr. Jean Lepage.

–––

December 19, 2017
Sent the first version of the questionnaire to collect data on the risk of harm with our legal counsel.

–––

December 7, 2017
The QASCC meets with a legal counsel to establish a work plan to meet the requirements of the "Office des professions du Québec".

–––

November 21, 2017
A meeting is set with the ÉduConseil team in Montreal.

–––

November 16, 2017
The "Office des professions" asks to further complete the file of the request made from the QASCC.

–––

October 26, 2017
The QASCC receives a response from the "Office des professions" informing the Board that the request is undergoing a preliminary review.

–––

September 8, 2017
The QASCC sends an official request to the "Office des professions du Québec" to establish a creation of a professional order in Special Care Counselling.

Membership

By becoming a QASCC member, you are joining a community of Special Care Counsellors are contributing to the recognition of the profession.

The QASCC offers a wide variety of services that help S.C.Cs on a daily basis.

Specific Job Offers
Resources and Documents
News related to the profession and the field of special education
Trainings, events and professional networking
Special discounts with our partners, including insurances

Individuals who would like to submit their payment by cheque, click HERE to download the form.

View instructions and information regarding the form HERE.

Member Categories

Special Care Counsellor

50 $

Graduate in Special Care Counselling with a DSC (DEC) or RAC (AEC).

Access to all benefits of the Association, including the possibility of joining the Board of Directors.

Bachelors in Psychoeducation

50 $

Graduate with a bachelors in psychoeducation.

Access to professional networking and to our services that support you in your practice.

Student

Free

Currently studying Special Care Counselling.

Start your career on the right path with professional networking and benefits from the association.

Cause Supporter

125 $

Professionals without a diploma in Special Care Counselling or any person interested in the profession.

Stay informed with updates surrounding the profession and its progress.

» Consult the PDF document for more details

Partnership

Organizations and companies directly contribute to the progress of the association and the profession by informing Special Care Counsellors about their services. There are many types of membership and partnership opportunities that meet your needs and your budget.

+More info Contact us to become a partner

Employers

Are you hiring or recruiting a Special Care Counsellor?
Here's what you need to know.

What is a Special Care Counsellor?

Special Care Counsellors (SCCs) are professionals who work with people or groups of people of all ages who may have various special needs or circumstances. SCCs work in the field of mental health, in the health and social services sector, in community organisations and in schools. They work to help assess the needs of the individual(s), develop and apply an intervention plan and will intervene according to their specific needs.

SCCs work to help people by improving their skills, promote their independence and improve their overall quality of life.

What does a Special Care Counsellor do?

They observe and evaluate the areas of need, the skills, the lifestyle and the behaviours demonstrated by the person.
They develop and establish an intervention plan according to the needs of the person or group.
They collect data and keep the person's file up to date by writing up progress notes.

All SCCs who are members of the Association must adhere to the Code of Conduct, as found on our website.

THE COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK: AN ESSENTIAL DOCUMENT

The QASCC offers you an abridged version of the Competency Framework created by the Éduconseil Inc. organisation for the Association. The development of the Competency Framework related to the practice of the Special Care Counselling profession was necessary for the QASCC to further the advancement and excellence of the profession.

In fact, the main objective for the Association was to have in its possession an official document which presents the SCC profession in a realistic and just manner and that will act as a vital tool to help accomplish the QASCC's mission to promote a professional association and to create a professional order.

Click HERE for your copy of the abridged version of the Competency Framework (available soon).

En francais.

Onwards
to the
Creation of a
Professional Order

+ INFO

The QASCC submitted an official request to the Office des professions on September 8th, 2017.

A professional order's main goal is to protect the public. It guarantees that the professionals offer services that comply with certain norms and requirements.

Members of professional orders all have reserved titles. We strongly believe that Special Care Counsellors deserve this structure and recognition.

Are you Hiring?
Post Your Offer!

Join a vast community of Special Care Counsellors who are seeking job opportunities by posting your job offer on our website. The QASCC immediately publishes the offers once a request is made.

Publishing a job offer is free for our communal/corporate members and partners of the QASCC

For organizations who are not yet our partners, there is a fee of $150. The job listing will be displayed for 30 days.

Trainings
for
Employers

If you wish to hire one or more SCCs,

The QASCC can help you identify your needs by providing you with personalized trainings specifically for employers.

Contact us for more information regarding our personalized trainings.

Partners

Our Partners

Since 2012, the Quebec Association of Special Care Counsellors favours and supports the profession in the field of special education in Quebec. It organises and offers many trainings and professional networking events to its members and gives them access to many benefits, including special discounts to its partners. By becoming a QASCC partner or corporate member, you promote your support to a community of over 16 000 professionals and contribute to the growth of special education in Quebec.

Consult our DETAILED BROCHURE

Download the subscription form

Our CEGEP Partners

The field of Special Care Counselling is based on strong and relevant training. By becoming a QASCC collegial member, CEGEPs promote their teaching expertise by ensuring to connect to the Special Care Counselling community. In this agreement, they also benefit themselves as well as their students.

Consult our DETAILED BROCHURE

Download the subscription form