Provincial Network on Developmental Services 2026 HR Forum
About this Event
Join Us in Niagara Falls for the 2026 Provincial Network HR Forum!
We are excited to welcome you to the 2026 Provincial Network Developmental Services HR Forum, presented in proud partnership with the Community Services Benefits Trust (CSBT).
This year’s forum will bring together sector leaders, HR professionals, and partners from across Ontario for a day and a half of learning, connection, and practical ideas. Whether you are supporting workplace culture, responding to complex HR issues, strengthening recruitment and retention, or looking for new approaches, this forum will offer timely information and meaningful conversations to support your work.
What to expect:
- Key updates on the Developmental Services Workforce Initiative
- Lawyer-led sessions on current HR issues and emerging trends
- Practical strategies related to HR best practices, technology, wellness, workforce learning, and leadership
- Opportunities to connect with colleagues and partners from across the sector
Join us as we share ideas, build relationships, and continue working together to strengthen the developmental services workforce.
A full agenda will be coming soon, to keep up to date with what’s happening with the Provincial Network, check out our website at: https://provincialnetwork.ca/
Hotel Information:
We have a discounted room block at the following hotels:
- Hilton Niagara Falls/Fallsview Hotel & Suites (6361 Fallsview Blvd., Niagara Falls, ON).To book the discounted rate click here.
- Fallsview Casino Resort Hotel (6380 Fallsview Boulevard, Niagara Falls, ON). To book the discounted rate of $259 a night, please call 1-888-325-5788 and request the Provinical Network on Development Services block of rooms. For each reservation a deposit of $99 will be charged.
Local Hotels near Fallsview Casino:
- Wyndham Grand Fallsview Hotel
- Holiday Inn Niagara Falls - by the Falls by IHG
For more information please contact:
Ann-Marie Binetti
**Add-On Session: Senior Leadership Orientation Session
Hosted by Community Living Ontario and the Provincial Executive Directors’ Coordinating Committee (PEDCC), in cooperation with the Provincial Network on Developmental Services
Monday, October 26, 2026 | 2:00 – 6:00 PM Cost: $100/person
Prior to the DS HR Forum, senior leaders are invited to attend a special half-day orientation session designed for CEOs, Executive Directors, and senior staff involved in succession planning.
This session will provide participants with information, insights, and opportunities for discussion on key topics and emerging issues impacting leadership within not-for-profit developmental services organizations. Attendees will connect with sector colleagues, share experiences, and gain practical knowledge to support success in senior leadership roles.
Following the session, the PEDCC Group will host a Welcome Reception from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., providing an opportunity to network and connect with colleagues from across the province.
Day 1 Agenda
🕑: 07:45 AM - 08:45 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 08:00 AM - 06:30 PM
Tradeshow
🕑: 08:45 AM - 09:00 AM
Welcome
Host: Jennifer Gleva
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:45 AM
Keynote Speaker- Dr. Laura
Host: Dr. Laura
Info: Healthy cultures don’t happen by accident - they’re grown with intention. In a world where stress is high, change is constant, and talent is harder to hold onto, developmental services organizations that flourish are the ones that invest in and nurture their people.
In this energizing keynote, Dr. Laura shows how leaders at every level can become “culture gardeners,” creating conditions where people feel valued, connected, and motivated to bring their best. Through stories, research, and practical tools, you’ll discover how to grow a resilient workplace culture where individuals - and the whole organization - can thrive.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
On the HR Horizon for DS: Emerging Risks, Opportunities, & Trends
Host: Cheryl Wiles Pooran
Info: The developmental services sector continues to face significant workforce challenges, from recruitment and retention pressures, pay equity, workplace accommodations, all amidst an increasingly complex labour relations backdrop. Drawing on recent legal developments, sector trends, and real-world experience, PooranLaw’s Lead Labour and Employment Lawyer, Cheryl Wiles Pooran, will explore the key labour and employment issues shaping the developmental services sector today. This session is designed to provide HR professionals, executive leaders, and managers tangible strategies to manage risk, strengthen compliance, support a healthy workplace culture, and confidently navigate an increasingly complex employment landscape.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Relationships: The secret sauce in effective HR practices
Host: Robert Hickey
Info: Over the past 20 years, we have seen a transformation of human resource practices in the developmental services sector in Ontario. From the development and launch of core competencies, to coordinated and sophisticated marketing and recruitment campaigns, HR practices have transformed workforce strategies in the sector. As HR professionals leverage the potential of new technologies, such as AI, to enhance and streamline HR practices, we risk losing sight of what matters most to employees and the future workforce - relationships. This session explores nearly 20 years of survey research into HR practices and the DS workforce. We highlight the central role that relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the people we support, play in the work experiences and job satisfaction of direct support professionals.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Critical Incidents: Supporting Staff in Community Living Settings
Host: Brian Bennett
Info: Staff in Community Living organizations may encounter critical incidents such as medical emergencies, behavioural crises, workplace violence, serious injuries, and unexpected deaths, all of which can significantly impact staff well-being and team functioning. Drawing on more than 16 years of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) experience, this session will provide practical, evidence-informed strategies for recognizing stress reactions, supporting colleagues, and responding effectively during and after critical incidents. Participants will learn actionable tools to strengthen resilience, promote staff well-being, and foster safer workplaces. The session will also feature lessons learned and insights from organizations that have recently implemented CISM and peer support programs.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
CSBT Session
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Break/Networking/Tradeshow
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Toxic Leadership Exposed: HR’s Playbook for Protecting People
Host: Dr. Laura
Info: To build a truly future-ready, human-centred organization, HR must address one of the greatest threats to culture and performance: toxic leadership. In this research-backed session, organizational psychologist Dr. Laura shares insights from her work across North American workplaces, helping participants identify early warning signs and understand the human and business impacts of toxic leadership. Through case studies, data, and practical tools, attendees will learn how to move beyond managing around toxic behaviours to addressing them directly. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to protect employees, strengthen culture, and create the conditions for long-term organizational success.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Abuse Investigations - Inside-Out[side]
Host: Katie Fox
Info: Abuse investigations are among the most challenging responsibilities faced by developmental services leaders. In this session, Katie Fox, Co-Executive Director of Community Living South Huron, and Paul Nicholson, Managing Director at Fermata Workplace Solutions, bring together the perspectives of both organizational leaders and external investigators to share practical guidance on managing abuse investigations. Participants will explore key decisions, including when to investigate internally or externally, how to support persons served and staff, navigating police involvement, and reaching credible findings. The session will also address leadership after an investigation, including rebuilding trust, communicating outcomes, meeting compliance requirements, and turning findings into meaningful organizational improvement.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Protecting the Plan: Using Third-Party Expertise to Stabilize STD Costs
Host: Brigette O'Neill
Info: Short-term disability (STD) is a critical part of a healthy, stable workplace—supporting employees when life happens while helping employers manage risk, productivity, and costs. In this session, we’ll share a real-world case study of a plan facing year-over-year cost increases of $50,000. By leveraging third-party “advice to pay” expertise to strengthen adjudication, clarify eligibility, and ensure payments aligned with the plan design, the organization reversed the cost trend—protecting the plan, improving consistency, and supporting employees with a clearer, more sustainable process.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Bring Core Competencies to Life
Host: Mark Benner
Info: By ensuring everyone understands how Core Competencies shape support, we strengthen partnerships, empower self-advocacy, and improve service quality. This presentation represents an important step toward making Core Competencies meaningful not only to professionals, but to everyone. People receiving services are directly impacted by how Core Competencies are applied in their daily support. Without an accessible explanation of core competencies, we do not know what good support looks like and what to expect from staff. In this presentation we will be sharing the new easy to use reference guide for the Core Competencies and showing 4 videos that clearly reflect the growth levels in action.
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:00 PM
Greetings from the Provincial Network on Developmental Services and MCCSS
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Hicks Morley: Labour Relations Session
Host: Hicks Morley
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Power Up Your Workforce: Unlocking the DSW Apprenticeship Toolkit
Host: Tasha Scheerhoorn
Info: Looking to grow talent, strengthen your team, and invest in the future of developmental services—all while your employees keep working? The DSW Apprenticeship Program makes it possible, combining hands-on learning with post-secondary education tailored to the sector. Join us to explore the new DSW Apprenticeship Toolkit—your one-stop resource for launching and supporting apprentices in your organization. Learn how to navigate the program, access practical tools, and open doors to growth for both employers and employees.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Responding to Identity-Based Harm: Tools for Workplaces & Lessons Learned
Host: Kevin Guay
Info: Staff and leaders in the developmental services sector are increasingly called upon to respond to identity-based harm in real time. This interactive session, based on Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region’s Identity-Based Harm training, provides practical tools for addressing harmful comments, facilitating follow-up conversations, and aligning responses with organizational policies and values. Participants will also learn implementation-informed strategies and lessons learned from delivering the training. The session is designed to help HR professionals, leaders, and program staff respond confidently, consistently, and in ways that support inclusive workplace cultures.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Operational Leader Community of Practice - Strengthen Teams
Host: Holly Duff
Info: Teams don’t just happen, they grow, wobble, clash, and eventually thrive. In this interactive and energizing session, we’ll explore the classic stages of team development. Participants will uncover the key characteristics of each stage, learn how to spot where their team is right now, and discuss practical ways leaders can motivate, support, and guide their teams forward, even when things feel messy. Expect lighthearted examples, group discussions, and aha! moments as we normalize conflict, celebrate growth, and build confidence in leading teams through change.
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Break/Networking/Tradeshow
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Beyond Choice: Connecting Belonging, Rights, and Workforce Realities in DS
Host: Nicole Flynn
Info: As Ontario’s Journey to Belonging reshapes developmental services, this interactive session explores how choice and individualized funding can support meaningful belonging while acknowledging the workforce realities that influence outcomes. Drawing on lived experience, the Capabilities Approach, and Ontario’s Passport Program, participants will examine realistic scenarios to better understand inclusion in practice. The session will explore key system pressures, including staffing shortages, burnout, administrative complexity, and financial constraints, and their impact on quality of life and service delivery. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to strengthen workforce stability, promote belonging, and improve outcomes for both employees and the people they support.
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Tips and Tricks for a Successful HRIS implementation
Host: Indu Radhakrishnan
Info: Implementing a new Human Resources Information System (HRIS) is a complex undertaking that requires careful planning and execution to maximize your return-on-investment. A successful implementation requires strong planning, testing as well as a change management plan. Done right, a digital transformation can free up the time spent on administrative tasks and allow your organization to focus on strategic initiatives and realize efficiencies. This session will offer practical tips and lessons learned throughout each stage of the project life cycle including needs assessment, vendor selection, implementation and sustainment. Participants will learn how to identify and avoid common pitfalls and how to design a system that works for your organization for years to come.
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Using workforce analytics &learning strategy to build a future-ready workforce
Host: Aneliya Arnaudove
Info: Explore how CLTO is transforming workforce planning and development through the integration of its Talent Dashboard, workforce analytics, and centralized Learning & Capability model. By connecting talent intelligence with strategic learning, capability-building initiatives, and the thoughtful application of AI-enabled tools, CLTO is enabling proactive decision-making, strengthening workforce readiness, optimizing resources, and enhancing employee experience. Attendees will gain insight into how data-driven workforce planning and targeted development strategies can work together to build a high-performing, future-ready organization.
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
ONTRAC Update
🕑: 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
Networking Reception
🕑: 06:30 PM - 07:45 PM
Dinner
🕑: 07:45 PM - 08:15 PM
Award Ceremony and Door Prizes
🕑: 08:15 PM - 10:00 PM
Entertainment
Day 2 Agenda
🕑: 08:00 AM - 01:30 PM
Tradeshow
🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
But We Did Everything Right!...Right?, Why Workplace Investigations Still Fail
Host: Dean Bernard
Info: Organizations often measure investigation success by compliance with policies and procedures, but employees judge investigations based on trust, fairness, and credibility. In this engaging session, workplace investigator Dean Benard explores how investigations can undermine confidence and damage trust, even when they appear well-executed. Participants will examine common pitfalls that affect investigative integrity and learn how to move beyond a compliance-focused approach. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to enhance fairness, reduce bias, strengthen credibility, and build trust in workplace investigation processes.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Critical and Creative Thinking for Complex Workplace Challenges
Host: Janeen Halliwell
Info: Supporting people, leading teams, and navigating organizational challenges all require one essential skill: the ability to think well in complex situations. In this interactive session, participants will explore practical tools for critical thinking and creative problem solving that can be applied across all levels of an organization. Whether you’re supporting an individual, supervising a team, or leading strategic initiatives, these approaches will help you challenge assumptions, ask better questions, and uncover opportunities that might otherwise be missed. Drawing on proven critical thinking and Creative Problem Solving methods, participants will engage in hands-on activities and real-world scenarios designed to strengthen decision-making and generate fresh solutions. Attendees will leave with practical strategies they can immediately apply to improve outcomes for both the people they support and the organizations they serve.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Fostering Psychological Safety and Flexibility in Developmental Services
Host: Katelyn Soucie-Vukmanich
Info: Direct Support Professionals perform rewarding but demanding work and are at increased risk of burnout, compassion fatigue, and other mental health challenges when adequate supports are not in place. This session explores how psychological safety and psychological flexibility can strengthen employee well-being, resilience, communication, and workplace culture in developmental services settings. Participants will learn to distinguish between these concepts, understand their impact on workforce outcomes, and explore practical, evidence-informed strategies for implementation. Attendees will leave with actionable tools and resources to support healthier, more resilient teams.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Break/Networking/Tradeshow
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Redesigning Performance Appraisals as a Growth Journey
Host: Sarina Osborne
Info: Performance appraisals are often seen as administrative and disconnected from employee growth and day-to-day performance. This session shares a practical approach to redesigning performance management using a values- and competency-based framework that aligns appraisals with onboarding, learning, and professional development. Participants will explore strategies for creating consistent, growth-focused performance conversations that support both employee and leadership success. Attendees will leave with tools to strengthen engagement, clarify expectations, and build a more cohesive employee development journey.
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
TBD
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Building Capacity to Support Individuals with Dual Diagnosis and ALC Needs
Host: Courtney Hutson
Info: The Specialized Clinical DS Network (SCDSN) is leading a provincial capacity-building initiative to strengthen the developmental services workforce and enhance support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, dual diagnosis, and Alternate Level of Care (ALC) needs returning to the community. Using a multidisciplinary, three-stream approach, the initiative includes expert-developed education modules, Communities of Practice, and a referral-based DD/ALC Collaborative Clinic. This session will highlight key learning content, available resources, and practical tools designed to build workforce skills and support effective service delivery. Participants will gain access to resources that can be applied across a variety of developmental services settings.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Closing Remarks
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Lunch
Pre-Conference
🕑: 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Senior Leadership Orientation Session (ADDITIONAL TICKET PURCHASE)
Info: Additional Registration Required ($100). Prior to the DS HR Forum, senior leaders are invited to attend a special half-day orientation session designed for CEOs, Executive Directors, and senior staff involved in succession planning.
This session will provide participants with information, insights, and opportunities for discussion on key topics and emerging issues impacting leadership within not-for-profit developmental services organizations. Attendees will connect with sector colleagues, share experiences, and gain practical knowledge to support success in senior leadership roles.
🕑: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Welcome Reception
Host: PEDCC Group
Where is it happening?
CAD 100.00 to CAD 650.00
