General | Events |  Skills Training | Organizational Facilitation |  Networking | Professional Development Calendar

Professional Development - General

OMSSA is committed to promoting high standards of professional competency among its members in their delivery of human services in their communities.

OMSSA describes professional development as:
"The strategic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills,
in conjunction with the development of personal and team qualities necessary for
the effective execution of professional duties throughout working life."


All professional development activities are developed to achieve the following outcomes:
  • Increased Quality Client Services
  • Expanded Organizational and Community Capacity
  • Improved Service Integration
  • Enhanced Service System Management
The following comprise OMSSA's Professional Development activities:
  • Events: These include our annual conferences and seminars: The Spring Leadership Seminar, The Learning Symposium (home of OMSSA's AGM) and the Fall Training Seminar. In addition OMSSA in partnership with the Ontario Association of Hostels and the Service Managers Housing Network hosts an annual learning forum on homelessness and housing.


  • Skill Development Training: A diverse selection of both hard and soft skill courses for all levels of CMSM and community staff. Courses are offered at locations throughout Ontario and can be customized to meet the needs of individual CMSMs.


  • Organization Facilitation: Whether the task is the development and implementation of program specific policies and procedures or bringing about consensus amongst community groups OMSSA's facilitators can help to achieve concrete, positive results as well assist in building capacity within the CMSM.


  • Networking: Knowing what is going on with colleagues around the province provides much needed practical information on the 'hows' of our job. OMSSA provides many opportunities for you to learn from those who are doing the same elsewhere in the Province. OMSSA also utilizes technology such as teleconferences to ensure networking activities are accessible to all.


  • To view a list of upcoming Networking sessions Click here
  • To view a calendar of all OMSSA Professional Development activities Click Here
To view more specific information on Professional Development Activities, click on the headings at the top of the page.

WHO benefits from OMSSA's Professional Development Services?
All staff involved in the planning, managing, funding and delivering of human services at the CMSM level-from senior administrators to front-line staff-will find relevant services and resources through OMSSA's professional development activities. OMSSA's professional development services cover all program areas which CMSMs manage, plan, deliver and fund: children services, homelessness and social housing, Ontario Works, and emergency measures.

WHO delivers OMSSA's Professional Development Services?
OMSSA has the privilege of working with a diverse team of the highest caliber of training, development and facilitation consultants. OMSSA's members' needs are matched to the most appropriate skill set within the consultant pool. OMSSA's consultants are OMSSA members, many of whom are talented CMSM staff with direct service delivery experience.

WHERE and WHEN are OMSSA's Professional Development Services available?
To participate in OMSSA professional development events you may come to us or we can go to you!

Many OMSSA professional development activities are held at the OMSSA office in Mississauga. However we also offer our most popular skills training sessions in locations throughout Ontario based on demand and member request. Skills training sessions are held throughout the province.

As well OMSSA consultants and staff conduct staff training in individual communities. This allows us to customize the material to ensure it meets the needs of the host organization.

OMSSA's Professional Development services are supported by a standing Professional Development Committee. For more information on this committee click here.

HOW do I find out more?
For further information, consult OMSSA's latest Training, Learning and Consultation newsletter (TLC), or contact any one of OMSSA's professional development staff. Click here for staff directory.






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