Building Stronger Communities Through Human Services
OMSSA empowers Ontario’s 47 Service System Managers to deliver integrated, people-focused social services. Together, we build stronger communities by improving lives through collaboration, advocacy, and strategic leadership.


This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association. We are very pleased to be able to celebrate this incredible milestone with our Members and partners across Ontario.
Conferences
OMSSA hosts several key conferences for Members throughout the year. Some of these conferences are topical Forums in key areas of human services management and delivery. Others are Conferences that bring Members from front-line staff to senior managers together to focus on professional development.
These conferences offer valuable opportunities for professional development, networking and knowledge exchange with colleagues from across Ontario, with key updates on relevant emerging trends and policy developments.
2025 Policy Conference
2025 Policy Conference Call for Proposals Coming Soon Over two days, our 2025 Policy Conference focuses on strategic conversations about the policy priorities into 2026 and beyond. Thank you for your interest in this year's conference. If you have any questions,...
2025 Virtual Forum
2025 Virtual ForumSector-Specific Virtual Forum OMSSA is seeking Member input to help us develop programming for our 2025 Virtual Forum. For the 2025 Virtual Forum, held on September 23-24 & October 7-8 from 9:00AM to 12:00PM, OMSSA would like to develop sessions...
2025 Exchange Conference
2025 Exchange ConferenceOMSSA hosted more than 400 people from the human services, health, child care, and public services for our in-person 2025 Exchange Conference held on May 13th and 14th in Toronto, Ontario. Thank you to all of those who presented, moderated,...
OMSSA NEWS ROOM
Featured News
Stay up to date with the latest announcements, award celebrations, leadership updates, and inspiring stories from Ontario’s human services sector.
Aaron Stauch Named OMSSA Executive Director
OMSSA is pleased to announce the appointment of Aaron Stauch as OMSSA’s Executive Director,...
Announcing OMSSA’s 2025-2026 Board of Directors and 2025 AGM Recap
OMSSA is pleased to introduce our 2025-2026 Board of Directors after our in-person Annual General...
Announcing our 2024 Award Recipients
OMSSA is excited to announce our slate of 2024 Award Recipients. This impressive group of...
OMSSA Releases Special Needs Resourcing Report
Today OMSSA is releasing a report on Special Needs Resourcing (SNR) in Ontario. The Canada-Wide...
Announcing OMSSA’s 2024-2025 Board of Directors
OMSSA is pleased to announce the 2024-2025 Board of Directors after our in-person Annual General...
Calendar
Stay up to date with the latest announcements, award celebrations, leadership updates, and inspiring stories from Ontario’s human services sector.
Working Together to Prevent and End Poverty and Increase Well-Being in Niagara
In March 2024, Niagara Region Council endorsed the Niagara Poverty Reduction Strategy. Recognizing that the Regional Municipality of Niagara and many local providers already deliver services to lift people out of poverty, this Strategy identifies best practice, uncovers gaps and leverages local knowledge to inform future action. Diverse perspectives and experiences shaped this community-owned Strategy. Over 1000 residents informed the Strategy including people living in poverty and over 200 Indigenous people. During this session, the presenters will review the collective impact approach used to engage community and collaborate with many sectors to create the Strategy. They will outline the Strategy’s areas of focus, recommendations and actions. The presenters will describe the evaluation plan designed to measure success and reflect on highlights from the first year of implementation, including how the Strategy informed a regional grant funding program. This presentation will be of interest for municipalities working to end poverty. Whether you're thinking of creating a poverty reduction strategy or looking for ways to enhance existing efforts, you’ll leave with insights and inspiration to engage community, monitor success and build collaborations that can work together to end poverty. Register Now Moderator: Lori Watson, Director, Social Assistance & Employment Opportunities, Niagara Region […]
OW Directives and SAMS Introduction: The Basics
In this workshop, participants will focus on refreshing their knowledge of Ontario Works and SAMS.
Being Trauma Informed (formerly Trauma Informed Care)
This introductory-level training will explore trauma, vicarious trauma and trauma-informed practice through a social justice lens and strength-based lens.
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the support provided to a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis.

Knowledge Exchange Blog
OMSSA’s Knowledge Exchange Blog provides members with an opportunity for knowledge exchange to discuss sector issues across Ontario so readers are aware of the depth and breadth of sector issues, events, and activities across Ontario.

Access to Integrated Care in Couchiching: A Partnership Between the County of Simcoe Ontario Works and Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital
OMSSA is featuring several 2024 Local Municipal Champion award recipients and their work in the...

Ontario’s Trade Dispute Fallout: A Call to Support Urban Indigenous Communities
A Crisis Exacerbated by Inequity Even before the trade dispute, urban Indigenous populations were...

Federal Government Releases Throne Speech
His Majesty King Charles III arrived in Ottawa, along with Queen Camilla, to open the 45th...

Expanding Access to Essential Services in Peel Region
OMSSA is featuring several 2024 Local Municipal Champion award recipients and their work in the...
Job & RFP Opportunities
Harness the power of OMSSA Job Postings, reaching over 4,800 skilled professionals across Ontario. Connect with qualified professionals, streamline your recruitment process, and ensure your organization thrives with top-tier talent in the municipal social services sector.

Director – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenous Relations
City of Ottawa
Closing Date: July 9, 2025

Manager of Social Services Research and Planning
The County of Wellington
Closing Date: July 18, 2025




Manager of Family and Children’s Services
Oxford County
Closing Date: July 2, 2025
POSITION: Manager of Family and Children’s Services (Competition #2025-65) LOCATION: Human Services – Oxford County Administrative Building EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Permanent Full-Time REPORTING TO: Director of Human Services UNION AFFILIATION: Non-Union WAGE RANGE: $127,327.20-$159,159.00/Annually WHAT WE OFFER: Flexible Work Arrangements, including hybrid work Comprehensive health and dental benefits plan effective immediately OMERS defined benefit pension plan effective immediately Competitive Vacation and Sick Leave policies Professional development and tuition reimbursemen...
View Job Details