Bachelor of Behavioural Science - Postsecondary Education Quality ...

emain out of long-term care facilities for as long as possible. Additionally, it is aimed at
reducing the use of medication and restraints for patients who are already institutionalized. The
number of seniors in Ontario is projected to increase by 43% over the next decade and
hundreds of new health care professionals will be recruited to long-term care homes and
community settings across Ontario.
As part of the Behavioural Supports Ontario program, there are various projects including the
Aging at Home Strategy where the province of Ontario invested $702 million. This funding will
filter through Ontario’s 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) and will positively impact
the work of Behavioural Science professionals.
In 2011, Ontario’s Health Ministry committed to hiring 700 health-care workers specially trained
in how to recognize and deal with behavioural issues in dementia patients as part of a new
program to provide better care for aggressive and difficult patients with Alzheimer’s disease and
other neurological disorders. Professionals quoted in a 2011 Globe and Mail article detailing this
issue questioned whether the province would be able to find enough qualified professionals as
the training is rarely offered. This degree will help to fill that gap.
The Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange Resource Centre states that over 65% of long-term care
residents have dementia of mental health issues. Mental health issues greatly affect not only
this group of individuals but also the general population where mental health conditions,
particularly anxiety and depression, are the fastest rising causes of workplace disability. It is
estimated that mental health disorders cost the Canadian economy approximately $53 billion
annually. There is a strong link between mental health and addiction issues where
approximately 20% of people with a mental disorder have a co-occurring substance use
problem, and one in ten Canadians 15 years of age and over report symptoms consistent with
alcohol or illicit drug dependence. As such, since 2003 the Ontario government as increased
funding to community mental health services by 80% and there has been a 49% increase in
funding towards addiction programs.
Ontario is not only aiming to improve mental health supports for adults but also children and
families. In 2011, the government released a comprehensive mental health and addictions
strategy aimed at providing high-quality services for 50,000 children and youth including early
identification and support, and helping vulnerable kids with unique needs. The government of
Ontario will invest $257 million over the next three years.
This degree is a progressive step toward meeting these demands. It draws its strength from:
recognition of the inter-relatedness of social, cultural and economic factors in
determining the value of the Bachelor of Behavioural Science program as an addition to
the available educational offerings in behavioural science and an opportunity to build on
an area of Humber’s strength;
an analysis of other programs offered by Ontario postsecondary degree granting
institutions and the conclusion that there is an opportunity to offer a broader and more
contemporary program in behavioural science. The proposed program offers a strong
theoretical basis which fosters resiliency, flexibility and critical thinking in a fast-changing
social and community services landscape. It prepares students with sought-after
behavioural approaches, research, and interprofessional skills, recognizing that the
highest paid jobs to continue to be filled by those with degrees;
Bachelor of Behavioural Science Section A, Page 13