Ensure That Everyone Is a Valued Member of Society as a Developmental Service Worker You may have heard the term Developmental Services Worker in the context of the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. But just what is the connection? Developmental Services Workers (DSWs) are professionals who support these individuals in a variety of settings, including: school, work and home. They are, essentially, the ones responsible for linking people with intellectual disabilities to their communities to ensure that they are valued members of society. In order to become a Developmental Services Worker, you must attend a postsecondary program. Centennial College in Toronto, Ont. offers a twoyear Developmental Services Worker program that is established and highly respected in the field. If you are interested in applying, the college expects you to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. You must also possess compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent. English proficiency will be considered in the admissions process and a program admission session may also be required. Once you are in the program, in two years you will train to take on the responsibilities of professional developmental services workers. This is carried out through a curriculum that reflects current issues and developments in the field, ensuring that you are well prepared to obtain entrylevel positions upon graduation. The courses within the program, such as Introduction to Disability, Valued Social Roles, Building Responsive Communities, Facilitation And Leadership Skills and more emphasize understanding the nature of intellectual disabilities, facilitation skills, critical and reflective thinking, team skills, time management and accessing resources. As a future developmental services worker, you are not only provided with theory but also with projects, community observations, and reallife examples to become comfortable in the important role you will play in people’s lives. The most “handson” training that you obtain in this Centennial College program is through supervised field placements. During these placements, you work sidebyside with Developmental Services Workers, learning new skills and applying the ones you have already learned. This experience enhances your resume and education. It should be noted that certain field placement agencies may require a criminal reference check prior to student placement. Certain criminal convictions may disallow placement in these agencies and program completion may not be possible. You also are given the opportunity to further your education in the field of developmental services workers by participating in articulated program with selected universities, institutes and professional associations. If you are eligible, these partnerships allow you to apply academic credit towards further study. The partner of the Developmental Services Worker program is Ryerson University (Disability Studies). Graduates with a B grade average or better can apply to Ryerson’s twoyear postdiploma degree completion program, Bachelor of Applied Arts in Disability Studies. Upon graduation, developmental services workers are hired as employment support workers, educational assistants in schools, residential service workers in group homes, family
supporters and integration facilitators. Tasks vary but include: completing and maintaining client history and background forms, participating in the development and implementation of individuallydirected plans, supporting clients in developing relationships, managing medication, developing and applying crisis intervention strategies, being responsible for and promoting a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a safe environment. − Author By: Klaudia
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