Human Services Certificate Program
About the Human Services Certificate Program
The OMSSA Human Services Certificate program is designed for first-line staff, supervisors, and managers in all program areas of human services. The program focuses on the development of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours in four areas:
- Service System Management
- Human in Human Services
- Organizational Management and Wellness
- Managing People: Engagement and Capacity Building
With adult learning principles as a foundation, a series of professional development sessions will quip learners with knowledge and skill application in their current roles as well as future career aspirations.
Path 1 and Path 2 Information
For more information about Path 1 or Path 2, please contact Christie Herrington at omssa-academy@omssa.com.
Anyone who has not completed Path 1 of the program, but has taken Person-Centric Strategies, Making Difficult Conversations Easier (with 4-Step Listening)*, and Being Trauma-Informed, can take the Competency Indicators assessment for Path 2.
Registration for Path 1 is coming soon!
Pricing
Path 1
- Members: $1,995 + HST
- Non-Members: $2,594 + HST
- Non-Member Education Level 1 & 2: $2,075 + HST
Path 2
- Members: $3,295 + HST
- Non-Members: $4,280 + HST
- Non-Member Education Level 1 & 2: $3,430 + HST
Program Learning Outcomes
The program identifies a range of key competencies necessary for staff in human services organizations. Competencies are progressive across two learning paths, grouped under the following learning themes.
Service System Management
Understand the mandate, roles and responsibilities of Consolidated Municipal Service Manager and District Social Service Administration Boards in the local community. Understand and apply provincial legislation, and provincial and local policy and program mandates and objectives within a person-centric strategy at the core municipal human services programs; social assistance, employment, community housing, homelessness prevention and early learning and childcare.
Human in Human Services
Understanding human conditions and circumstances and their potential impact on human behaviour. Develop an awareness and understanding of systemic racism, anti-oppression, personal bias, Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous Cultural Competency, inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility, trauma informed care, and apply effective, person-centric responses.
Organizational Management and Wellness
Understand and apply the organizational tools and strategies for creating and maintaining inclusive, diverse, and welcoming organizations and teams. These include inclusiveness and diversity in the workplace, leadership styles, the multi-generational workplace, change management and team agreements.
Self-Care
Develop and awareness of your self-care condition and needs, understand the methodologies and be able to effectively apply them to strengthen your capacity for delivering person-centric, compassionate service.
Managing Self, People and Capacity Building
Understand and apply strategies to build a strong team, utilize coaching to achieve common outcomes and strategies for developing stakeholder relations with internal, external and community partners to support community capacity building.
Learning Portfolio and Competency Indicators
Learners will be required to demonstrate knowledge and application of the four program competencies, Service System Management, Human in Human Services, Organizational Management and Wellness and Managing Self, People and Capacity Building through a Learning Portfolio and completion of the Human Services Competency Indicators to receive their Human Services Certificate.
Through Pre-Learning and Post-Learning Assessments, workplace application tools and resources, learners will create their own Human Services Learning Portfolio to document their learning, show progress, demonstrate their competencies, and identify ongoing learning.
Path 1 is a foundational program, providing learners with an introduction to theories, competencies, principles, and practices in Human Services.
Path 2 of the program provides further practical application of theories, competencies, principles and practices in Human Services.
At the conclusion of Path 1, learners will complete the Human Services Competency Indicator, a tool built around the four program competencies for learners to demonstrate further knowledge and application of their learning.
Learners who have successfully completed Path 1 of the program are eligible to register for Path 2 of the program.
Anyone who has not completed Path 1 of the program, but has taken Person-Centric Strategies, Making Difficult Conversations Easier (with 4-Step Listening)*, and Being Trauma-Informed*, can take the Competency Indicators assessment for Path 2.
Participants can add prerequisite courses, Making Difficult Conversations Easier with 4 Step Listening and Trauma Informed Care to their Path 2 registration at a discounted rate.
Note: This is an interactive, competency-based program. Learners are expected to be present, with cameras on, to engage with their peers and facilitators. Sessions will take place using the Zoom platform and will not be recorded.
Path 1 – Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 Course Schedule
| Date | Time | Course |
|---|---|---|
| October 1 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Welcome to the OMSSA Human Services Certificate Program |
| October 9 and 10 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Service System Management |
| October 22 and 23 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility |
| November 4 and 5 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Mitigating Bias in the Workplace |
| November 18, 19, 25, 26 and December 8 and 9 |
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Person Centric Strategies for Staff #1 |
| December 11 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Learning Portfolio |
| January 5 and 6 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Making Difficult Conversations Easier |
| January 16 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Improve Your Listening with the 4-Step Empathy Loop |
| January 21 and 22 | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Mental Health First Aid Group 1 |
| January 27 and 28 | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Mental Health First Aid Group 2 |
| February 5 and 6 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Compassion Fatigue |
| February 11, 12 and February 13 |
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
Being Trauma Informed |
| February 24, 25, and 26 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Introduction to Leadership |
| March 9, 10, 12 and 13 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Understanding Anxiety and Depression |
| March 24 and 25 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Introduction to Case Notes and Professional Writing |
| March 27 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Learning Integration |
Technical Requirements
OMSSA will be hosting this virtual workshop on Zoom, an online, interactive platform that you can join straight from your web browser, or by downloading ‘Zoom Client for Meetings’ on your computer or tablet.
Participants will be expected to join the workshop via both video and audio. Participants should therefore have access to a desktop computer, laptop computer or tablet with:
- a webcam or built-in camera
- a built-in microphone or a headphone jack where you can plug in a headset or earphones
We strongly recommend that participants use a headset or earphones with a built-in microphone in order to limit background noise.
System requirements: Click here for more detailed information on system requirements from Zoom.