“What’s in a name?” The OCSWSSW Wants Ontarians to Know They Are Protected

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) is encouraging Ontarians to check out its Online Register of social workers and social service workers through its “What’s in a name?” public awareness campaign. The OCSWSSW is the regulatory body for social workers and social service workers in Ontario. Its mandate is to protect the public from unqualified, incompetent and unfit practitioners in Ontario. The “What’s in a name?” campaign promotes awareness of the OCSWSSW and the…

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OCSWSSW Invites Employers in the Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, Sudbury and Surrounding Areas to its Virtual Employer Roundtable

On September 29, 2021, the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is hosting a virtual event for employers in the Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, Sudbury and surrounding areas.  The College would like to invite your organization to participate in the College’s virtual Employer Roundtable, which is being held on Wednesday, September 29th, from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. The event will provide employers of social workers and social service workers with an opportunity…

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Professional Practice Update: Updates to MAID Resource and Other Announcements

In this update: College Updates MAID Resource for Members SAVE THE DATE! Educational Forum ODSP Revises Disability Determination Package and Medical Review Package Self Report Online Mental Health and Substance Use Supports for Health care Workers and Primary Care Providers The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is pleased to share the following information and resources to support members’ practice: College Revises MAID Resource for Members The College recently has…

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DEI Task Group Meeting Highlights for August 17, 2021

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Group was established to assist the College in moving forward on its commitment to increase diversity, equity and inclusion – a key priority in the College’s 2020-2023 Strategic Plan. August 17, 2021 Council Co-Chair Sanjay Govindaraj, RSW read a Land Acknowledgement.Co-Chairs Sanjay Govindaraj, RSW and Brian Seng-Low, RSSW welcomed the Task Group members to the meeting.Task Group member Sandra Southwind set the intention for the meeting.The minutes from…

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Message from the Registrar and CEO: Acknowledging the Rise in Anti-Semitism and the College’s Role as Regulator

As Registrar and CEO of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College), I would like to provide an update on a recent communication received by the College in relation to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion and the College’s role, mandate and communications. As the College has noted previously, societal expectations change and evolve, and long overdue discussions and upheaval are taking place, rightfully challenging systems of oppression. For the…

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Revisit the 2021 Annual Meeting and Education Day Online!

The College held its first ever two-day virtual Annual Meeting and Education Day (AMED) on June 17 and 18, 2021.  Over 2,000 members registered for this year’s event with more than 1,500 members tuning in live on our virtual portal and many more viewing the presentations on-demand, making this year’s AMED a tremendous success!  We invite you to revisit the event — the theme of which was Diversity and Change in Society and Practice —…

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Professional Practice Update: 2021 CCP Reminder and Survey for Clinical Staff and Mental Health Providers

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is pleased to share the following information and resources to support members’ practice. 2021 CCP Reminder With the second half of the year underway, the College would like to remind all members to begin to work on their 2021 Continuing Competence Program (CCP) if they haven’t started already. Participation in the CCP is a condition of registration and one of the ways that…

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2021 Election Results for Electoral District No. 4

On Thursday, May 27, 2021 the College held its Council elections in Electoral District No. 4. The Elections Committee has now declared the following candidates elected in Electoral District No. 4 to serve on the College Council for a three-year term, beginning September 9, 2021. Election results Social service work category:The following members of the College are the candidates who were acclaimed in the social service work category Amanda Bettencourt, RSSWSue-Ellen Merritt, RSSW Social work…

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COVID-19 Update: Practice Considerations as Ontario Moves into Step Three of “Roadmap to Reopen” Plan

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) anticipates that the Ontario Government’s announcement to move the province into Step Three of its “Roadmap to Reopen” plan on July 16, 2021 may prompt questions from members regarding their return to practice. As noted in a previous eBulletin, though we are hopeful by improvements in the vaccination rate and public health and healthcare indicators, the College continues to urge social workers and…

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College Statement on the 751 Unmarked Graves Discovered in Cowessess First Nation

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is deeply saddened by the discovery of 751 unmarked graves on the grounds of the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan. This discovery serves as further evidence of Canada’s long history of violence against Indigenous peoples. We mourn with the communities who have lost loved ones and continue to experience pain as a result of Canada’s shameful residential…

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