2021 Exchange Conference

OMSSA hosted more than 670 people from their homes and offices across Ontario and beyond at our 2021 OMSSA Exchange Conference.

Over four mornings, our 2021 conference focused on how human services is innovating in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, what the past year has meant for our sector, and what’s next. Some of the topics explored include:

• Bridging the digital divide
• Children’s services
• Self-care from an Indigenous wholistic perspective
• Reconciliation
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Race and representation
• Recovery and renewal
• Life stabilization
• Affordable housing and housing insecurity
• Client success stories

Thank You to Our Advisory and Planning Committees

• Jennifer McPhee, OMSSA (Chair)
• Craig Cooper, Manager, Homeless Prevention, Housing, Social Services & Dearness Home
• Jeff Degagne, Manager of Income Support and Stability, District of Parry Sound Social Services Administration Board
• Jodi Fox, Integrated OW Benefits Caseworker, York Region
• Clara Freire, Director, Employment and Social Services, Community and Social Services, City of Ottawa
• Tanya Hall, Supervisor, Program Integrity, Human Services Planning & Program Support, Social & Community Services , Halton Region
• Najma Kahiye, Policy Development Officer, Toronto Children’s Services
• Satinder Klair, Manager, Funding and Program Administration, Early Years and Child Care Services, Region of Peel
• Tashia Edwards, Advisor, Community Access Division, Human Services, Region of Peel
• Kirby Steinhoff, OMSSA Training Consultant
• Michael Simon, Chair, OMSSA Life Stabilization Committee & Ontario Works Manager, County of Wellington
• Sarah Stevenson, Director of Integrated Services, Kenora District Services Board
• Heidy Van Dyk, OMSSA Board Member, Acting General Manager, Health and Social Services, County of Norfolk