News

2023 Educational Forum Video Now Available Online!

The College held its annual virtual Educational Forum on November 30, 2023. The recording of this year’s event is now available by visiting the College website or YouTube channel. In addition to a short College Update from Registrar and CEO Denitha Breau, RN, MSN, MBA, the Forum included a panel discussion entitled Supporting Clients with Care and Competence Through Intimate Partner Violence, facilitated by the College’s Director of Professional Practice, Christina Van Sickle, MSW, RSW. The expert panel explored…

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Reminder for Registrants: 2024 Renewals Are Open & New Process to Access Online Portal

A reminder to registrants that they can now renew their College registration for 2024. The deadline to complete the 2024 renewal and payment without incurring a late fee is January 31, 2024. The 2024 fees can be viewed on the College website. New registrants who were issued a certificate of registration at any time in 2023 are also required to complete their 2024 annual renewal of registration and provide confirmation of participation in the CCP…

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Accessing Qualified and Accountable Support this Winter – Social Workers and Social Service Workers Helping Ontarians Manage their Mental Health

The winter season can create challenges around mental health for many Ontarians. We may be affected by the reduced sunlight hours, or the weather can discourage us from participating in social activities. Some individuals are navigating challenging family dynamics during one of the many cultural holidays that take place around this time of year. The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) currently regulates over 29,000 social workers and social service workers,…

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Revisions to the Practice Guidelines for Medication Practices Appendix: Administration of Naloxone

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is pleased to announce that College Council recently approved the revision to the Appendix on the administration of Naloxone, which forms part of the Practice Guidelines for Medication Practices available on the College website. The revisions to the Appendix on the administration of Naloxone clarifies that College registrants with the appropriate training can administer Naloxone without a formal delegation process. Please view the revised Practice Guidelines…

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Council Highlights for December 1, 2023

John Fleming, Council Chair, provided his report to Council. Denitha Breau, RN, MSN, MBA, Registrar and CEO, presented her report to Council. The report provided updates under each strategic priority in the College’s Strategic Plan and included information about the following: an update on the launch of the College’s new database and renewals; registrant-base data including registration stats by electoral districts; recent outreach in Thunder Bay; and the recent Educational Forum. Council reviewed the Statement…

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College Launches Equity and Inclusion Data Initiative – Register for Informational Webinar

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is pleased to share that its Equity and Inclusion Data Initiative will launch in the upcoming 2024 renewal period. Through the Equity and Inclusion Data Initiative, College registrants are invited to share how they self-identify on a voluntary basis as part of their annual renewal of registration. This initiative is the College actioning our commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion and recognizing that…

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Message from the Registrar and CEO

Insights and Collaboration with Social Work and Social Service Work Employers The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) recently held a virtual webinar for employers located in northern Ontario. The webinar was a wonderful opportunity to continue working collaboratively with employers. The College’s Director of Complaints and Discipline, Richelle Samuel, Registration Manager, Susanne Pacheco, and Registrant and Renewal Manager, Paul Cucci, facilitated the webinar. The webinar focused on titles and…

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A Better Tomorrow, Today: Candies Kotchapaw’s Journey to Amplify the Global Black Experience

Nurturing young Black minds to excel in their endeavours was always at the forefront of Candies Kotchapaw’s professional ambitions.  Instead of waiting for change to happen, she broke new ground to create systems of support to help guide and inspire current and future generations of young Black leaders.  INITIAL PURSUITS  Candies Kotchapaw, MSW, RSW, was born in Jamaica, and it was upon immigrating to Canada with her family at the age of 14 that she…

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Revised Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice – What Employers Need to Know

Earlier this fall, the College finalized revisions to its Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, which is now available to view on the College’s website!  The Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice was revised following a robust consultation process to ensure that updates reflect societal changes and the current practice landscape, with a further focus on public benefit. The changes affect ALL social workers and social service workers, regardless of their employer or…

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FAQs – Social Work and Social Service Work Titles and Designations

As an employer, it is your responsibility to perform due diligence when hiring a social worker or social service worker. The College regularly receives notices from employers about individuals who were hired to work with vulnerable populations as social workers or social service workers, only to find that they are not registered with the College. The College also receives notices of individuals using false names during and after the hiring process. Many of these serious issues…

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