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
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.
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 you own well-being.
This program is taught using a combination of modalities. Courses may be taught face-to-face, online or in a blended/hybrid combination of both online and traditional classroom teaching.
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
Articulation Agreements
Graduates from this Developmental Services Worker Diploma program have the opportunity to applyt their credits toward further study at teh 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 transferring credits, which are assessed by the receiving partner institution.
For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please view ONCAT.
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
If you are applying through the Second Career Strategy, please apply at the Employment Training Centre for Second Career (Progress Campus). Second Career Strategy is a funding initiative for those who have been laid-off and are in need of training. For more information go to Second Career Strategy.
If you have previously attended a full-time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.
All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee of $95 must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in-person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.
Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.
Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.
International Students
If you are submitting transcripts to meet admission requirements, you must have the transcripts assessed by an independent credential assessment agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS).
Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.
You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.
You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.
When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.
4. Pay Fees
Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.
You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.
Fall registration begins mid-July January registration begins mid-December May registration begins mid-April
Your web-registration will not open if:
You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.
Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.