Ontario Social Service Worker Association - OSSWA

11/09/2025

The Ontario Social Service Worker Association (OSSWA) is proud to re-share the official launch of the Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Community Crisis and Su***de Response. Please share this program far and wide!

This program is Canada’s first post-secondary program in community safety and wellbeing that specializes in community crisis and su***de response. Drawing on innovative and emerging community-led crisis models and public health strategies, students explore approaches that elevate the standard of care in community crisis and su***de response.

Using a trauma-informed, decolonial, and anti-oppressive framework, students gain the knowledge and skills required to assess, intervene, and support individuals, families, and communities in crisis. Students learn culturally responsive approaches informed by authentic voices, particularly those from Black, racialized, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Through experiential learning and simulation-based education, students apply evidence-based strategies to develop a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of community crisis and su***de response, and how to navigate the mental health, addiction, and justice systems.

This work has been two years in the making, and the Ontario Social Service Worker Association (OSSWA) is proud to have supported the development of this important program from its inception. The Association continues to advocate for new opportunities for advancement for Registered Social Service Workers (RSSWs) across Ontario.

With social service workers joining emerging public health crisis teams across the province, it is time to build a new educational pathway that reflects this evolving field and showcases that RSSWs are capable of responding to our province's most pressing crises.

Currently, graduate certificates such as Mental Health and Addictions, Autism and Behavioural Science, Victimology, Accommodation and Human Rights, Applied Learning Disability Studies, Career Development Professional, Management in Community Services, Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Infant and Child Mental Health, Therapeutic Recreation, Community and Health Service Navigation, Wellness Coaching, Brain Disorders Management, Mental Health and Disability Management, and Gerontology are available to RSSWs in Ontario to extend their learning.

However, this new graduate certificate in Community Crisis and Su***de Response unlocks new opportunities and advanced clinical knowledge, positioning social service workers among other allied professionals at the forefront of community-led crisis response and care, and with the first focus on community crisis and su***de, it is revolutionary in Canada and across North America.

Learn more about the program that starts in September 2026!

Support people with a career in community crisis and su***de responseCommunity Crisis and Su***de Response Ontario College Graduate Certificate program Lead with compassion and care. Support individuals and communities with trauma-informed responses to community crisis and su***de. On this page:Prog...

11/09/2025

On November 6th, we shared an important update by email with our members regarding the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) decision on an important matter that will continue to advance the profession of social service work.

This communication highlights a significant development that reflects our ongoing advocacy and collaboration with partners and stakeholders.

We thank our members for their continued support of our work and for helping us achieve major milestones with more underway.

We encourage all current members to review their inbox for this message. More information will be shared publicly in the coming weeks once further details are available. Not a member? Join today at www.osswa.ca

We are the voluntary professional Association for the profession of Social Service Work in Ontario and Canada. We are the voluntary professional Association for Social Service Work in Ontario and Canada. We are for RSSW's

03/16/2025

Richard Tatebe, RSW
The Social Service Work Educator of the Year Award Recipient (2025)

Richard Tatebe is a dedicated social work professional with over 30 years of practice in the field. He began his career after graduating from the Confederation College Social Service Worker Program, and he further advanced his education with an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Lakehead University, followed by a Master’s degree in Social Work.

Richard has worked in various settings, including both adult and children’s mental health as well as adolescent and adult substance use treatment. His current work includes psychotherapy in the private sector, and training and education with organizations. For the past 18 years, Richard has been committed to shaping the future of social service work professionals as a professor in the Social Service Worker Program at Confederation College. He has dedicated his teaching career to teaching excellence, advancing the profession of Social Service Work in Canada.

In 2011, Richard was the Chair of the National Association of College Educators in Social Service and Social Work Diploma Programs in Canada (A.C.E.S.S) and hosted the National A.C.E.S.S. conference in Thunder Bay. Additionally, in 2013, Richard was awarded the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (N.I.S.O.D), for Teaching Excellence Award at Confederation College.

03/16/2025

Brooke Enright, RSSW, RSW
The 2SLGBTQIA+ Social Service Work Leadership Citation Recipient (2025)

As a neurodivergent, mad, trans, and q***r person, finding inclusive and empowering spaces has often been a challenge. Recognizing these gaps in their communities, Brooke and the Stardust founding members, utilized their collective knowledge and diverse range of expertise to establish Stardust. Since 2022, they have been dedicated to building community and providing mental health services. Rooted in their practice is a person-centered and holistic, anti-oppressive framework. Throughout Stardust's journey, they have worn many hats — serving as a co director/founder, administrator, counsellor, community team member, and supervisor.

03/16/2025

Stephanie Danso, RSSW
The Community Social Service Work Leadership Citation Recipient (2025)

Stephanie Danso is the founder of the equality-seeking not-for-profit organization, The Fence Cares Inc. Her passion as a seasoned social service worker is assisting people in resolving challenges in their daily lives. Dedicated to assisting people in finding a healthy balance in their lives, expanding their awareness of who they are in the context of unique circumstances, and contributing
to living better lives.

Stephanie has been a Registered Social Service Worker for over fourteen years, and she has a strong background in outreach, mental health, wellness, counseling, and anger management. She is currently a Social Service Work supervisor. Over the years, Stephanie has worked with a variety of age groups and in a variety of settings, including education, day treatment, social-emotional education, community development, and behavioral and therapeutic settings. Additionally, she has promoted support groups for teens (12–18 years old), adults, families, and seniors. Stephanie is also well-known for having won honors for her noteworthy community service, including Canada's Top 100 Black Women to Watch of 2024 and the Ontario Social Service Worker Association's Black Social Service Worker Leadership Citation Award in 2024.

03/16/2025

Dr. Dobijoki Emanuela Bringi, RSSW
The Barbara Baker Distinguished SSW Merit Recipient (2025)

Dr. Dobijoki Emanuela Bringi is a dedicated Registered Social Service Worker and educator with an earned Doctorate in Education. She is a community advocate committed to advancing equity, well-being, and culturally responsive support. With over 15 years of experience in the sector, she has worked to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and support organizations in creating meaningful change.

As the founder of BRINGI Consulting, Dr. Bringi is deeply committed to providing culturally relevant services that honour the lived experiences of diverse communities. Her work integrates African-centered approaches to counselling, career coaching, academic pathways support, and organizational change, ensuring that individuals and organizations receive holistic, impactful, and empowering guidance.

She is a firm believer in the transformative power of social services. Dr. Bringi has developed programs that address systemic barriers and foster sustainable change. She has also collaborated with organizations and communities across multiple regions globally, bringing her expertise in African-centered leadership, education, and community development to international projects; with a focus in Canada and South Africa. Her dedication to community, advocacy, and empowerment continues to drive her efforts to ensure that support services remain accessible, culturally affirming, and transformative for all.

03/15/2025

As Social Service Worker Week winds to a close, we want to congratulate our very own Human Services Coordinator Kathryn on being awarded the Community SSW Leadership Citation from the Ontario Social Service Worker Association - OSSWA !

We're so lucky to have her on our team! Visit our website to find out more about the valuable services she offers: https://bit.ly/4hcnGfc

03/15/2025

Karyn Baker, RSW
The Social Service Work Educator of the Year Award Recipient (2025)

Karyn Baker is a passionate and dedicated social worker with a career spanning over three decades. After receiving a Bachelor of Social Work from Western University in 1983 and a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto in 1985, Karyn went on to become a respected advocate, community developer, family worker, executive director and a clinician, with a particular focus on mental health.

Throughout her career, Karyn has been deeply committed to mentoring colleagues and field placement students, always prioritizing the professional growth and development of others. This passion for mentorship was further realized when she was offered a college teaching position, where she has spent the last 11 years imparting her knowledge and experience to future social service professionals. Over the course of her career, she has taught more than eight different courses, playing an instrumental role in shaping the next generation of social service workers.

A highlight of Karyn's career was leading the Social Service Work program through its formative years, particularly during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her commitment to fostering inclusive classrooms has been central to her work, with a strong focus on decolonizing the curriculum and embedding social justice issues, such as climate change, into the educational framework.

Karyn is incredibly proud of the work done, especially in creating a supportive and equitable environment for students. Her 3 children and one grandchild remain her biggest inspiration to making a difference.

03/15/2025

Jake Mitchell, RSSW
The Clinical Social Service Work Leadership Citation Recipient (2025)

Jake works for municipal government and provides managerial-level expertise in community development work and community safety and well-being. Jake is a Registered Social Service Worker (RSSW) with a Diploma in Addiction and Mental Health and is an Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant (AEMCA) [Paramedic] with a Diploma in Paramedicine. He is a tenacious leader in emergency medical services, beyond social service work, but also has gained expertise in community mental health and crisis care, recognized for bridging medical, harm reduction, and social supports in crisis environments.

Jake began his career as a Paramedic and prehospital research appraiser, later honing his frontline expertise at safe consumption sites, where he championed harm reduction strategies for individuals most at risk. As a Registered Social Service Worker (RSSW), he provided specialized mental health and crisis response training to a diverse range of organizations, empowering them to face the twin challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the escalating drug poisoning crisis. His dedication to community well-being has taken him from roles as a mental health case manager to a mobile crisis worker and crisis specialist — demonstrating his unwavering commitment to creating safer, more resilient communities.

03/15/2025

Dianne Frost
The Social Service Work Student of the Year Award Recipient (2025)

Dianne is completing her final semester in the Social Service Work Program. Her focus on trauma-informed care guides all her work, and she hopes to use her life experience and academic achievement to create effective and sustainable social policy in government. Before her academic career, she worked as a Life Skills Coach and volunteered in various organizations and community-led initiatives to address the impacts of poverty. She is writing a memoir about overcoming hardships and navigating life after a tumultuous childhood.

03/14/2025

Bianca Stefina, RSSW
The Clinical Social Service Work Leadership Citation Recipient (2025)

Bianca Stefina is a Registered Social Service Worker, Child and Youth Care Practitioner and Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist. Bianca is the owner and founder of Mindfully Me Counselling & Psychotherapy with a clinic of 9 social workers and psychotherapists in Windsor-Essex and serving those Ontario wide. Bianca is incredibly passionate about challenging the western, pathogenic approach to mental health by focusing on the physiology and neuroscience of toxic stress, adversity and trauma. Mindfully Me was recognized as the Platinum Winner as a Counselling Clinic in the Windsor Community Votes (2024) and received the Canadian Choice Award (2025) for Best Counselling Clinic.

Bianca has been working for 8 years in community mental health in various domains and decided to expand into private practice in 2021 serving children, youth and adults with a focus and emphasis on complex trauma and high performing individuals. Bianca is a large proponent of experiential therapy and largely focuses in on bottom-up modalities such as somatic parts work, internal family systems, attachment focused work, multi channel eye movement integration and a focus on memory reconsolidation. Bianca passionately puts together trainings for those wanting to engage further with the body and nervous system and has delivered these trainings to community partners and practitioners looking to go beyond talk therapy. Bianca has past experience teaching at the post-secondary level bringing her love for trauma focused care in a classroom setting to future practitioners of mental health.

Bianca has a story of lived experience that fuels her passion for making significant change in the mental health system and holds these values close to her heart. Bianca understands the constraints of the medical, mental health and education systems and advocates for change. When Bianca is not in the clinic, you can find her engaging in her love for fitness/movement, spending time in nature and connecting with family and friends.

Congratulations Bianca!

03/14/2025