Developmental Services Worker | St. Clair College
Program Code: K200
Status: Waitlisted
Apply Online:
Two Year - Ontario College Diploma
Starts: September

Emergency Alternate Delivery Plan:
Winter 2024 Emergency Alternate Delivery

Contact:
Connie Marion
519-354-9714 ext. 3253

Program Overview

Developmental Services Worker graduates specialize in supporting people with developmental and intellectual disabilities of all ages, in all aspects of life in their communities. Courses focus on community involvement, interpersonal and counseling skills, teaching positive behavioural supports and life skills, mental health intervention and pharmacology.

Program Highlights

  • Mock apartment and lab facilities.
  • Work Integrated learning offered through engagement with community agencies through activities and coursework.
  • Curriculum that includes community capacity building and entrepreneurial studies.
  • Excellent student satisfaction ratings.
  • Field placement experience.
  • Student home community placements where possible.

Career Opportunities

Typical entry level positions include community agencies, educational assistants in schools, family support worker, and recreational assistant. Graduates enjoy excellent employment prospects including entrepreneurial opportunities. Students often find part time work prior to graduation.

Degree Completions

Graduates can be granted credit toward Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Windsor, and admission to the Bachelor of Applied Arts Degree in Disability Studies at Ryerson University.

Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of courses at the College (C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level qualify for admission to this program.

Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.

    Courses

    The curriculum below is for incoming students:

    Semester 1
    Code Title Credits
    HMN100
    Writing For The Developmental Service Worker
    3
    HMN1118
    Professionalism I
    3
    HMN1114
    Health
    4
    HMN1116
    Philosophy Of Support
    2
    HMN1117
    Wellbeing I
    3
    HMN1121
    Developmental Disabilities I
    3
    ECE203G
    Relationships & Family Dynamics
    3
    Semester 2
    Code Title Credits
    HMN2004
    Health Lab
    2
    HMN2121
    Developmental Disabilities II
    3
    HMN2010
    Person Centred Approaches
    3
    HMN2007
    Intervention Strategies
    3
    HMN2110
    Professionalism II
    3
    HMN2009
    Community Building
    3
    ELEC1030
    Choose 1 Elective Course
    3
    HMN200
    Placement Orientation
    1
    Semester 3
    Code Title Credits
    HMN3002
    Teaching Strategies
    4
    HMN3008
    Field Placement I
    21
    HMN300
    Safe Management Training
    1
    HMN3009
    Social Services
    2
    HMN3117
    Wellbeing II
    3
    ELEC1030
    Choose 1 Elective Course
    3
    Semester 4
    Code Title Credits
    HMN4007
    Dual Diagnosis
    3
    HMN4112
    Career Development And Professionalism
    2
    HMN400
    Responding To Abuse
    3
    HMN4010
    Field Placement II
    21
    PRM2100
    Theory & Practice Of Pharmacology
    3
    HMN401
    Entrepreneurial Skills For The Dsw
    1

    * Prior to going on your field placement, you must have your CPR and First Aid Certification.

    View Pre/Co-Requisites for Developmental Services Worker

    Synergy Placement Notice to Students

    Pre-Placement Requirements

    St. Clair College has partnered with Synergy Gateway Inc to provide you access to Verified - a platform that is used by students at other post-secondary institutions across Ontario for the purpose of digitally collecting placement requirements related to placement(s). Synergy Gateway Inc will provide support and clearance to help with your required documentation. You will be required to complete an Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) Review through the Verified platform in order to receive clearance to begin your clinical placement. You will be provided access to "Verified" via a secure username and password. You will use Verified to:

    • Upload your pre-placement requirements documentation for review.
    • Book your Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) service (this is a service that reviews the documents you have uploaded and provides you a status as to your eligibility to begin placements).
    • Track your ongoing requirements compliance.

    Each student will receive log-in credentials to access Verified that will be sent to your St. Clair College email account. Please check your inbox, spam and junk mail folders for an email from the "Synergy Help Desk". You will be required to create a new password upon logging in. Be sure to view the video user guides and student guidebook to learn how to use the Verified platform.

    Any associated fees for Synergy Gateway Inc to complete the pre-placement requirements are the sole responsibility of the students.

    It is mandatory that students complete their ERV service through Verified to be eligible for your upcoming clinical placement.

    Once your account has been set up with Verified, inquiries can be directed to Synergy Gateway Inc at www.Synergyhelps.com. You will need to submit a Help Desk ticket. Their Help Desk hours are Monday to Friday: 10 am - 3 pm, excluding holidays.

    ** Please note: If you are an International student completing a placement, you will require a valid COOP Work Permit.


    Requirements

    (Please refer to your Synergy communications for full details)


    COVID-19 Vaccination Placement Notice to Students

    This is to make you aware that, although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, most of our placement sites require students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Students who are not fully vaccinated cannot be provided with a placement for their program and, therefore, will not be able to complete their programs. Please be advised that COVID-19 booster shots and/or other requirements may become mandatory for placement, however, they are not currently required.

    • Student placements are assigned at the discretion of the program.
    • Students may be required to obtain further clearances for placement at the discretion of the placement site.
    • Student personal requests for placement cannot be accommodated.
      • Placements may be outside the Windsor/Chatham area
    • Students are responsible for their own accommodation.
    • Students are responsible for their own travel and all costs of placements.
    • Students are responsible for the cost of scrub uniforms/footwear and equipment (such as a stethoscope, a watch with a second hand) and other incidentals as required.
    • Placement schedules may include shifts on days, afternoons, weekends and holidays throughout the program based on placement needs and agency availability.

    Your Investment

    The standard tuition and compulsory fees for the current academic year:

    2023-2024 Tuition Fees  

    For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses is at the student's own expense. It is recommended for most programs, that students have access to a laptop or desktop computer while away from home during experiential learning periods.

    Textbooks and other materials are in addition to Tuition Fees. Textbook prices may be found through the Bookstore website.

    Please be aware that tuition and compulsory fees are subject to adjustment each year. The College reserves the right to change, amend or alter fees as necessary without notice or prejudice.

    Fall Information

    Program Physical Demands Analysis

    Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

    Developmental services Worker (Ontario College Diploma) (MTCU Code 51641)

    The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

    1. Conduct oneself in an ethical, competent, and accountable manner in all professional relationships
    2. Provide person-directed supports and services that respect and promote self-determination for people with developmental disabilities
    3. Provide for the safety of people with developmental disabilities, self and others in compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations and standards of practice
    4. Support health and well-being of people with developmental disabilities
    5. Employ and adapt formal and informal strategies to support the learning of people with developmental disabilities
    6. Provide leadership in the development of inclusive communities
    7. Develop professional and personal plans that enhance job performance and well-being.

    Additional Information