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.
Transfer Agreement
Graduates are also eligible to participate in a Transfer Agreement between the DSW, CYW or the ECE program.
Admission Requirements
A University Degree in Humanities or Social Science with at least one course in Introductory Psychology and Developmental Psychology or a Diploma in Early Childhood Education, Child and Youth Care, Educational Support, or Liberal Arts.
Field/Clinical Placements
Employers who provide our field placement settings require a clear POLICE RECORD CHECK for criminal offences with vulnerable sector screening before accepting a student into the field placement setting. The record check MUST be obtained by the student at the student's expense. If you are unable to obtain this police clearance you jeopardize the opportunity to complete either of your field placements.
You must have your CPR and Standard First Aid Certification, obtaining at your own expense. It is strongly encouraged that this is completed before entering the program.
Due to the 24 hour nature of this field, students may be required to perform placement duties on off hours; this may include evenings.
Health Requirements
Accepted applicants must supply proof of a satisfactory medical examination and immunization during the second semester of the program. Please be advised that lack of documented immunizations may result in the restriction of field placement and therefore, may delay or prevent completion of the program.
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
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
|
|
HMN400
|
Responding To Abuse |
3
|
|
HMN200
|
Placement Orientation |
1
|
|
PRM2100
|
Theory & Practice Of Pharmacology |
3
|
|
HMN4007
|
Dual Diagnosis |
3
|
|
HMN401
|
Entrepreneurial Skills For The Dsw |
1
|
Semester 3
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
HMN4010
|
Field Placement II |
21
|
Placement Requirements
This is to make you aware that, although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, all of our clinical placement sites are requiring students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Students who are not fully vaccinated cannot be provided with a clinical 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 clinical placement, however, they are not currently required.
If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, please contact our St. Clair College Health Centre at 519-972-2727 ext. 4484 (in Windsor) or 519-354-9100 ext. 3729 (in Chatham).
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:
- Conduct oneself in an ethical, competent, and accountable manner in all professional relationships
- Provide person-directed supports and services that respect and promote self-determination for people with developmental disabilities
- Provide for the safety of people with developmental disabilities, self and others in compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations and standards of practice
- Support health and well-being of people with developmental disabilities
- Employ and adapt formal and informal strategies to support the learning of people with developmental disabilities
- Provide leadership in the development of inclusive communities
- Develop professional and personal plans that enhance job performance and well-being.