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.
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Semester 1
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
HMN1121
|
Developmental Disabilities I
|
3
|
|
HMN300
|
Safe Management Training
|
1
|
Semester 2
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
HMN2121
|
Developmental Disabilities II
|
3
|
|
HMN2010
|
Person Centred Approaches
|
3
|
|
HMN200
|
Placement Orientation
|
1
|
|
PRM2100
|
Theory & Practice Of Pharmacology
|
3
|
|
HMN401
|
Entrepreneurial Skills For The Dsw
|
1
|
Past Cohorts:
Semester 1
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| HMN1118 |
Professionalism I |
3 |
| HMN1114 |
Health |
4 |
| HMN1116 |
Philosophy Of Support |
2 |
| HMN1121 |
Developmental Disabilities I |
3 |
| HMN3002 |
Teaching Strategies |
4 |
| HMN300 |
Safe Management Training |
1 |
| HMN3009 |
Social Services |
2 |
| HMN3117 |
Wellbeing II |
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 |
| 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 |
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:
- Synergy Review Fee: $50.50 + tax
- Synergy Follow-Up Review Fee: $10.50 + tax
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)
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 (& could possibly expand throughout the province)
- 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:
2024-2025 Tuition Fees
For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses are 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 on 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.
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.