Developmental Services Worker

Program Overview

The Developmental Services Worker program prepares graduates to support individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities in their daily lives. The curriculum focuses on community engagement, interpersonal skills, positive behaviour supports, mental health intervention, and entrepreneurship. Graduates enjoy excellent employment prospects and can pursue higher education opportunities, including credit transfer towards bachelor's degrees.

Program Outline

Degree 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.

Careers:

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.

Outline:

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 |

Other:

• Pre-Placement Requirements: Students must complete an Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) Review through the Verified platform to receive clearance to begin their clinical placement.
• Placement Locations: Placements may be outside the Windsor/Chatham area.
• Placement Costs: Students are responsible for their own accommodation, travel, and all costs of placements.
• Placement Schedule: Placement schedules may include shifts on days, afternoons, weekends, and holidays throughout the program based on placement needs and agency availability.
• Program Physical Demands Analysis: K200
• Program Vocational Learning Outcomes: 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.