Building a skilled, diverse, and responsive workforce that delivers person-directed, quality supports across Ontario.
The Developmental Services Workforce Initiative (DSWI) is a collaborative partnership between the Provincial Network on Developmental Services and the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Established in response to Ontario’s Journey to Belonging vision, the Initiative is focused on strengthening and supporting a skilled, diverse, and professional workforce that empowers people with developmental disabilities to live meaningful, inclusive lives in their communities.
As developmental services continues to evolve toward person-directed and community-based supports, the role of the workforce is changing as well. Today’s workforce requires not only technical knowledge and skills, but also strong values, ethics, leadership, innovation, and a commitment to inclusion and belonging.
Through collaboration with people with lived experience, families, service providers, educators, government, and community partners, the DSWI develops tools, resources, training opportunities, and workforce strategies that support recruitment, retention, leadership development, and professional growth across the sector.
Together, we are building a workforce that is equipped to support choice, inclusion, citizenship, and good lives for people with developmental disabilities across Ontario.
