General Award Information (please read carefully prior to nominating a candidate)
The Ontario Social Service Worker Association will be accepting nominations for the following merits/citations listed below. The nomination period will open April 30th of each year and will firmly close December 31st of the same year. There will be no consideration of nominations post this date. Nominations can be made generally by any person from the public, or social service worker etc. Please review each award for any exceptions listed. The nominee must meet the eligibility requirements, and be considered a suitable nominee as described in the merit/citation descriptions listed below. If you are unsure if the nominee is registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), please visit the public register. If you are looking to verify if the nominee holds an active membership with the Ontario Social Service Worker Association (OSSWA), please visit the member directory. If you are looking to see if a College of Applied Arts & Technology holds an active membership with the Ontario Social Service Worker Association (OSSWA), please visit the member directory.
The Barbara Baker Distinguished OSSWA Merit
- This distinguished merit award is the most prestigious award conferred from the Ontario Social Service Worker Association. Nominees must possess the highest calibre of social service work practice, in any field. Only one award is presented annually, during the annual award ceremony, held during social service worker week in March.
- Eligibility requirements: The recipient of this award must possess a current (non-expired) general certificate of registration as a registered social service worker (RSSW) in good standing from the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). The candidate in addition, must be a practising member, active with the Ontario Social Service Worker Association.
- Who can nominate: Any member of the public, social service worker etc. The individual cannot nominate themselves.
The 2SLGBTQIA+ Services Citation
- This citation award validates the exemplary practice of a member of the Ontario Social Service Worker Association which is engaged in advocacy, support or related efforts in the 2SLGBTQIA+ field. Recipients must be actively working, engaged or volunteering in the 2SLGBTQIA+ field. The recipient does not need to identify as apart of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, however this is a tremendous asset. Only one award is presented annually, during the annual award ceremony, held during social service worker week in March.
- Eligibility requirements: The recipient of this award is preferred to possess a current (non-expired) general certificate of registration as a registered social service worker (RSSW) in good standing from the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). The candidate in addition, is preferred to be a practising member, active with the Ontario Social Service Worker Association. Nominees which are non-practising members, active with the Ontario Social Service Worker Association will also be considered.
- Who can nominate: Any member of the public, social service worker etc. The individual cannot nominate themselves.
The Indigenous Services Citation
- This citation award validates the exemplary practice of a member of the Ontario Social Service Worker Association which is engaged in advocacy, support or related efforts in Indigenous services. Recipients must be actively working, engaged or volunteering in the Indigenous services sector. The recipient does not need to identify as apart of the Indigenous community, however this is a tremendous asset. Only one award is presented annually, during the annual award ceremony, held during social service worker week in March.
- Eligibility requirements: The recipient of this award is preferred to possess a current (non-expired) general certificate of registration as a registered social service worker (RSSW) in good standing from the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). The candidate in addition, is preferred to be a practising member, active with the Ontario Social Service Worker Association. Nominees which are non-practising members, active with the Ontario Social Service Worker Association will also be considered.
- Who can nominate: Any member of the public, social service worker etc. The individual cannot nominate themselves.
The Student of the Year Citation
- This citation award validates the exemplary learning of a student member of the Ontario Social Service Worker Association. Nominees must be currently undertaking their diploma in social service work (or equivalent) at an approved College of Applied Arts & Technology (or equivalent). Nominees may be undertaking full-time, part-time or distance studies. Nominees of all academic years and/or progress, in their respective programs will be considered. Only one award is presented annually, during the annual award ceremony, held during social service worker week in March.
- Eligibility requirements: The recipient of this award must be a student member, active with the Ontario Social Service Worker Association.
- Who can nominate: Faculty or staff of Social Service Work diploma programs (or equivalent), or placement supervisors. The individual cannot nominate themselves.
The Educator of the Year Citation
- This citation award validates the exemplary pedagogical approach of an educator, actively engaged in the provision of instruction, in a approved diploma in social service work program (or equivalent) at an approved College of Applied Arts & Technology (or equivalent). Nominees may be employed part-time, casual or full-time. Only one award is presented annually, during the annual award ceremony, held during social service worker week in March.
- Eligibility requirements: The recipient of this award must possess a current (non-expired) general certificate of registration as either a registered social worker (RSW) and/or a registered social service worker (RSSW) in good standing from the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). The recipient in addition, must be a faculty member of a College of Applied Arts & Technology (or equivalent) which holds an active membership as a college ambassador with the Ontario Social Service Worker Association. The educator themselves, does not need to be a member of the association.
- Who can nominate: Faculty, staff or students of Social Service Work diploma programs (or equivalent). The individual cannot nominate themselves.
