As of October, 2006, the AECEO has released guidelines for AECEO Branches to conduct Certification Study Sessions to help support the applicants in the process. These guidelines should help create:

* Stronger communication ties between all the parties involved in the process ie. AECEO Provincial Office, Registrar, certification applicants, lead facilitators, AECEO members, local organizations.
* A Climate of transparency and accountability to the process
* Equitable access to resources and supports for all participants

Study sessions are created to best fit the needs of the participants and the resources available to the facilitator and branch. Study sessions are created as a means for AECEO Branches to provide additional supports and networks to certification participants within their area. Sessions are voluntary and not mandatory to the process. Ultimately, it is the applicant’s responsibility to seek advice and supports from available resources.

All certification participants have direct access to the Certification Registrar, AECEO Provincial Office and web forums throughout their application for certification.

However, branches or individual certified members may register to provide a study session that gives more personal and individual mentoring supports to one individual or a group of certification applicants living or working in their community. Registering a study session means that both participants and facilitators are ensured that:

* Information discussed in the sessions is current and adhere to the guidelines of the Certification process.
* An established flow of communication formally exists between all parties involved.
* A provincial network of supports, services and resources is available.

The objectives of these sessions are:

* To provide a support network for certification applicants
* To promote and encourage other ECE professionals to seek certification
* To encourage mentorship and networking among professionals
* To share resources and information
* To encourage team building skills
* To provide opportunities for honing leadership skills

Tools available to Study Session Lead Facilitator:

* Web-based support – a Certification forum accessed only by certification applicants and facilitators available in the Members Only section
* Certification Study Kit – containing manuals, power point presentations, handouts, tools, guidelines and resources to aid branches and facilitators to support certification applicants

Study sessions can be delivered as:

* One to One peer support network

One certified member is paired up with one or more certification applicants. Set up as a buddy system, the certified member will take on the role of the “lead facilitator” (see below for criteria and terms of reference). The facilitator can connect with the applicant either face to face, via email and the web forums on a regular basis. Facilitators can also invite certification applicants to attend AECEO meetings, or local pd events, rallies, or arrange for workplace visit as a way to connect them with local networks.

* Study Group network

One (or two) certified members take on the position of lead facilitator with a group of certification applicants and commit to meeting regularly (3-4 times during the course of certification ie. 1 year) face to face as a means of networking and brainstorming on different topics pertaining to their certification submission (eg. Board or branch meetings, AGM, advocacy, portfolio development). Facilitators can also invite certification applicants to attend AECEO meetings, or local PD events, rallies, or arrange for workplace visit as a way to connect them with local networks.

For more information contact AECEO Provincial Office.