TORONTO, Sept. 13, 2019 /CNW/ - The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) is pleased to announce the re-election of Council President Shelley Hale, RSSW, and the election of the Council Executive Committee for 2019/20.

"I am honoured to be re-elected as president of the College Council," said Hale, who was re-elected on September 5, 2019. "I look forward to working alongside my fellow Council members in the development of the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan as we fulfill our important mandate of serving and protecting the public."

The director of the Operational Stress Injury Clinic at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Hale is a registered social worker and registered social service worker with over 20 years of experience in the field of mental health.

Her administrative career at The Royal led her to complete a certificate in program management through the University of British Columbia. In 2018, she completed the Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) program through Royal Roads University.

First elected to Council in 2001, Hale has served for eight years as a member on numerous committees and as chair of the standards of practice committee. "I'm very proud of the work that Council does in the name of public protection," she said.

"We support the operations of the College to ensure that employers recognize and value the importance of hiring registered social workers and registered social service workers and the public is protected from unqualified, incompetent and unfit practitioners," adds Hale.

The College currently regulates over 21,000 social workers and social service workers across the province. Council is a 21-member governing body and board of directors that manages and administers College affairs.

"I am pleased to continue working with Shelley and Council as we operationalize the College's strategic priorities in the current planning period," said College Registrar and CEO Lise Betteridge, RSW. "We have surpassed significant milestones as we continue to engage stakeholders across Ontario and further enhance public awareness about the College and its mandate to protect the public interest."

The following Council members were also elected by Council to the Executive Committee: Lisa Seburn, RSW, vice-president; Déirdre Smith, public member, vice-president; Toula Kourgiantakis, RSW, executive member; Mukesh Kowlessar, RSSW, executive member; and Richard (Rick) Lamb, public member, executive member.

To learn more about the Council, including member biographies, please visit the OCSWSSW Council Members webpage.

About the College
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) is the regulatory body for social workers and social service workers in Ontario. Its mandate is to serve and protect the public interest and govern its members.

SOURCE Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers

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