A Better Tomorrow, Today: Candies Kotchapaw’s Journey to Amplify the Global Black Experience

Nurturing young Black minds to excel in their endeavours was always at the forefront of Candies Kotchapaw’s professional ambitions.  Instead of waiting for change to happen, she broke new ground to create systems of support to help guide and inspire current and future generations of young Black leaders.  INITIAL PURSUITS  Candies Kotchapaw, MSW, RSW, was born in Jamaica, and it was upon immigrating to Canada with her family at the age of 14 that she…

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MESSAGE FROM THE REGISTRAR AND CEO 

THE COLLEGE’S COMMITMENT TO REGISTRANT ENGAGEMENT  I am delighted to address you in the fall issue of Perspective as the incoming Registrar and CEO at the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College).  As I move into this new role, I want to reaffirm the College’s commitment to listening to registrants and ensuring that College decisions are guided by registrants’ lived experiences. The College strives to foster a two-way dialogue with…

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT – REVISED CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE NOW AVAILABLE

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is excited to share that the revised Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice were recently approved by College Council and are now available to view on the College’s website!  REVISIONS TO THE CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE  The Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice were revised following a robust consultation process to ensure that updates reflect societal changes and…

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COUNCIL ROSTER FOR 2023-2024

AMANDA BETTENCOURT – ELECTED SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER Amanda Bettencourt is dually registered with the OCSWSSW, initially joining the College as a social service worker and then obtaining her Bachelor of Social Work from the former Ryerson, now known as Toronto Metropolitan University. She works full-time as a School Social Worker on Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve in Ohsweken, where she also sits on the Anti-bullying Taskforce and provides consultation services to the federal…

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PRACTICE NOTES: WHY YOU NEED TO PUT IN THE TIME BEFORE PRIVATE PRACTICE

Practice Notes is an educational tool designed to help Ontario social workers, social service workers, employers and members of the public gain a better understanding of recurring issues dealt with by the College’s Professional Practice Department and Complaints Committee that may affect everyday practice. The notes offer general guidance only and College registrants[1] with specific practice inquiries should consult the College, since the relevant standards and appropriate course of action will vary depending on the…

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Discipline Decision Summary – Essa Rageh Egal

The College publishes summaries of decisions of the Discipline Committee and/or provides links to full-text, neutralized versions of its decisions. Information that is subject to a publication ban or that could reveal the identity of witnesses or clients, including the name of the facility, has been removed as necessary, or has been anonymized. As of January 2019, decisions are also available via the Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII). By publishing decisions, the College endeavours to: …

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Discipline Decision Summary – Steven Finlay

The College publishes summaries of decisions of the Discipline Committee and/or provides links to full-text, neutralized versions of its decisions. Information that is subject to a publication ban or that could reveal the identity of witnesses or clients, including the name of the facility, has been removed as necessary, or has been anonymized. As of January 2019, decisions are also available via the Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII). By publishing decisions, the College endeavours to: …

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Discipline Decision Summary – Jesse Fraser

The College publishes summaries of decisions of the Discipline Committee and/or provides links to full-text, neutralized versions of its decisions. Information that is subject to a publication ban or that could reveal the identity of witnesses or clients, including the name of the facility, has been removed as necessary, or has been anonymized. As of January 2019, decisions are also available via the Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII). By publishing decisions, the College endeavours to: …

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FAQS: WHAT IS THE EQUITY AND INCLUSION DATA INITIATIVE? 

College Council recently approved the Equity and Inclusion Data Initiative Policy. Beginning in the upcoming 2024 renewal period, which will start in late November 2023, registrants will be invited to share their demographic information with the College. This initiative is part of the College actioning our commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion.  Q: Why is the College asking registrants to voluntarily provide sociodemographic data?  A: Collecting this data supports the Equity and Inclusion Data Initiative,…

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SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2023 EDUCATIONAL FORUM! 

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is happy to announce that it will be holding its virtual Educational Forum on the morning of Thursday, November 30, 2023.  In addition to a College update from Denitha Breau, Registrar and CEO, the Educational Forum will include a keynote panel discussion entitled Supporting Clients with Care and Competence Through Intimate Partner Violence. The College's Director of Professional Practice, Christina Van Sickle, MSW,…

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Council Highlights for September 7-8, 2023

September 7, 2023 The following Council members were elected by Council to the Executive Committee: John Fleming, Public member – Council Chair Sanjay Govindaraj, RSW – Vice-Chair Carrie McEachran, Public member – Executive Member Elayne Tanner, RSW – Executive Member Madimba Tshibuabua, RSSW – Executive Member Sue-Ellen Merritt, RSSW – Executive Member September 8, 2023 Council reviewed and approved the recommendations of the Nominating Committee with respect to statutory and non-statutory committee membership and chairs.…

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Council Meeting Highlights for May 1, 2023

Council declared Carrie McEachran, public member, elected to the Executive Committee by acclamation until the end of the 2022-23 Council year. John Fleming, Council Chair, provided his report to Council. Council approved a number of decisions around the implementation of recommendations from the governance review including changes to the election process for prospective candidates seeking election to College Council. These changes include additional screening using a Council Member Profile which describes governance attributes and competencies.…

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