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

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.

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 while enrolled in the first year 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 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

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).

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