Community & Developmental Service Worker Program
Become a Community & Developmental Service Worker Specialist
Trillium College’s Community & Developmental Service Worker (CDSW) diploma program gives you the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to offer support as a community service worker. A community & developmental service worker can work along side a social worker who assists people of all ages with mental and physical disabilities or who face challenges with mental health and / or addictions. A service worker is trained to help those who struggle with a variety of social challenges. This program gives you the skills needed to work as part of a social support team that works with individuals or community groups by facilitating appropriate social, physical and mental health services. You will develop skills as a community & developmental service worker in client assessment, client education, referral procedures, and effective monitoring of client treatments.
Areas of Focus
This academic program covers information in the following subject areas:
Becoming a Helping Professional in Human Services
Utilizing Community Resources
Understanding Issues of Diversity
Working with High-risk Populations
Working with Addiction and Mental Health Issues
Structure, Function and Common Disorders of the Human Body
Developmental Disabilities
Fundamentals of Psychology and Sociology
Interviewing and Counselling Strategies
Dynamics within Families
Communication Techniques and Processes
Non-violent Crisis Intervention
First Aid and CPR
Ethics and Professionalism
Concepts in Behavioral Management
Pharmacology
Legal Awareness, Reporting and Documentation
Employment Opportunities
As a graduate of Trillium College’s Community & Developmental Service Worker (CDSW) diploma program, the opportunities you can pursue span nearly all aspects of human services. You may find employment as a life skills instructor, community development worker, community service worker, crisis intervention worker, developmental service worker, drop-in center worker, family service worker, group home worker, mental health worker, Aboriginal outreach worker, veteran services officer, welfare and compensation officer, addictions worker, women’s shelter supervisor, rehabilitation worker. Potential work settings for a community service worker may include community residences, private homes, recreation programs, schools, hospitals, social services, and government agencies.
Salary
According to updated information on Indeed.ca
Admission requirements
Grade 12 diploma or equivalent, or mature student status (18 years of age)