About the Community & Developmental Service Worker Diploma Program

A career where you provide support, encouragement, and hope to those who need it most—that’s the impact you can have as a Community & Developmental Service Worker. In Trillium College’s CDSW Diploma Program, you’ll gain the knowledge and practical skills to support individuals in building independence, confidence, and life skills. It’s more than training for a job—it’s preparing for a career where you can help people reach their full potential.

Course Overview

Community & Developmental Service Workers play a vital role in supporting individuals and families facing developmental disabilities, mental health challenges, and addictions. In this program, you’ll develop the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to provide meaningful support while helping people navigate life’s challenges with dignity and independence.

Hands-on experience is a key part of your learning. After completing 40 hours of community volunteer service, you’ll move into a placement experience where you’ll work alongside experienced professionals, build real-world skills, and see firsthand the difference your support can make.

At Trillium College, we believe this work is about more than theory—it’s about human connection, empathy, and empowerment. By graduation, you’ll be prepared to step confidently into a career where you can make a lasting impact in the lives of individuals and the communities you serve.

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma or Mature Student Status
• MTCU VSS Waiver
• Completed Vulnerable Sector Screening waiver (VSS).

Placement Requirements

• Trillium College Immunization Report; completed and signed by a medical professional.
• Submission of a clear Police Check (CPIC) report with Vulnerable Sector Screening.
• 40 volunteer hours completed

A Curriculum that Transforms

Our Community & Developmental Service Worker Diploma Program is designed to prepare you for the real-world challenges and rewards of working in human services. You’ll develop practical skills—from client assessment to behavioral support—while gaining a deeper understanding of how to help individuals overcome barriers and build more independent lives.

Throughout the program, you’ll explore key areas such as:

You’ll also explore the connection between mind and body in overall well-being, learning how to support clients holistically as they work toward their personal goals. Whether you’re facilitating goal planning or collaborating with social workers and mental health professionals, you’ll be prepared to play an important role in helping individuals move forward in life.

Why Study To Become a Community & Developmental Service Worker at Trillium College?

At Trillium College, our Community & Developmental Service Worker Diploma program is designed to develop both the practical skills and the compassion needed to succeed in this rewarding field. Throughout your program, you’ll be supported by experienced instructors, Academic Managers, and dedicated student support teams who help guide you from enrollment through graduation and into your career.

Our live, instructor-led virtual classes offer the flexibility to learn from anywhere while still staying connected and engaged with your classmates and instructors. A hands-on placement is also a key part of the program, giving you the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned, gain real-world experience, and build confidence before entering the workforce.

By graduation, you won’t just earn a diploma—you’ll be prepared with the skills, experience, and confidence to begin making a meaningful impact in the lives of the individuals and communities you support.