Diploma In Developmental Services Worker
Centennial College
Key Information
Select location
Campus location
Online Canada
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 semesters
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
CAD 16,539 *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* for 2 semesters for international students / fees include incidental fees and health insurance for the first year of study
Introduction
- Program Code: 1207
- School: School of Community and Health Studies
- Credential: Ontario College Diploma
- Program Type: Post-secondary program
- Program Length: 2 years/ 4 semesters
- Location: Ashtonbee Campus
Centennial College's Developmental Services Worker program is highly regarded by established professionals, graduates, families, service agencies, and people who have intellectual disabilities.
The two-year college diploma program falls under the School of Community and Health Studies and will offer a strong foundation in the field of intellectual disabilities. This health program's curriculum will reflect best practices, current and relevant knowledge and address up-to-date issues. It will emphasize a deep understanding of:
- The life experiences of people who have intellectual disabilities
- The nature of intellectual disabilities
- Values clarification
- Analysis
- Critical and reflective thinking
- Problem-solving
- Effecting positive change
- Communication and teamwork
- Personal support requirements and techniques
- Team skills
- Time management
- Accessing resources
Helping people to fill valued social roles as a part of society, teaching and the provision of personal support are among some of the skills you'll develop. These skills will be applied through in-class hands-on practice as well as field placement opportunities. As such, the Developmental Services Worker program will ensure you're equipped with the critical skills and knowledge to start your career directly upon graduation.
Once you complete the Developmental Services Worker program, you'll support individuals of all ages who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. Support can be provided to individuals in their homes, at work, in schools, and to their families. Your goal as a developmental services worker will be to enhance the capacity of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities to function in all aspects of community living and to support their full inclusion in all aspects of society.
Please note: This program is taught using a combination of modalities. Courses may be delivered face-to-face, online, or in a blended/hybrid combination of both online and traditional classroom teaching
As a Developmental Services Worker program grad, you'll have the ability to:
- Conduct yourself 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 the health and well-being of people with intellectual 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 strategies and plans that lead to improved personal job performance and the maintenance of your own well-being.
Admissions
Curriculum
Program Outline
Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
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Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
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Program Outcome
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
- 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.
Career Opportunities
Companies Offering Jobs
Bloorview School, Common Ground Co-operative Inc., Community Living Toronto, Deohaeko Support Network, Durham Association for Family Respite Services, Nabors, Frontier College, Kerry's Place, L'Arche Toronto, L'Arche Daybreak, Richmond Hill, New Visions, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Toronto District School Board, York Region School Board, Durham District School Board
Program Highlights
- School of Community and Health Studies faculty is guided by years of study and work in the field of intellectual disabilities and by personal relationships with people who have intellectual disabilities.
- Coursework will include projects, seminars, community observations, Internet searches, teamwork and electronic communication.
- Supervised field placements will be offered in Semester 3 (two days per week) and Semester 4 (three days per week).
- The location of Centennial College's Ashtonbee Campus will enable you to access a large number of field placement opportunities and employment opportunities upon graduation.
Career Outlook
- Educational assistant
- Support worker
- Residential support worker
- Family support worker
- Employment supporter
- Job coach
- Community disability worker
- Integration facilitator
Education Pathways
Graduates from this Developmental Services Worker Diploma program have the opportunity to apply their credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are the degrees from partnering institutions that are available for this program.
Please note that each partner pathway has a specific minimum grade requirement in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the receiving partner institution.
Educational Partners
Qualified graduates may be eligible to participate in an articulated program with select universities, institutes and professional associations. These partnerships allow you to apply academic credit towards further study.
The Developmental Services Worker program's educational partners are:
- Davenport University (Bachelor of Science - Health Services Administration)
- Guelph-Humber (Bachelor of Applied Science in Family and Community Social Services)
- Lakehead University (Bachelor of Social Work)
- Nipissing University (various Bachelor of Arts degrees)
- Ryerson University (Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies. Graduates with a B grade average or better can also apply to Ryerson's two-year post-diploma degree completion program, Bachelor of Applied Arts in Disability Studies)
- University of Windsor (Bachelor of Arts)
- University of Windsor (Bachelor of Arts Honours Disability Studies)
Placement Partners
Bloorview School, Common Ground Co-operative Inc., Community Living Toronto, Deohaeko Support Network, Durham Association for Family Respite Services, Nabors, Frontier College, L'Arche Toronto, L'Arche Daybreak, Richmond Hill, New Visions, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Toronto District School Board
Areas of Employment
The field of intellectual disabilities involves a broad network of people who have intellectual disabilities, their families and friends, developmental services workers, organizations, and agencies that all provide supports and services to help people who have intellectual disabilities.
If you want to learn about careers and job opportunities in the field of intellectual disabilities, community-based agencies and organizations, and the kinds of supports and services that are offered to people who have an intellectual disability, please visit:
- ontariodevelopmentalservices.ca
- ontariodevelopmentalservices.ca/career-opportunities
- mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/developmental/
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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