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The Member agencies in the Specialized Clinical DS Network have been called upon to provide clinical expertise in the development and/or evaluation of programs; currently the SCDSN as a whole is engaged in a project that combines the Journey to Belonging guiding principle of Improving Quality and Accountability and the Developmental Services Workforce Strategy Framework focus on growing a stable workforce, enhance skills and training, and advance professionalism in the sector.  The DS Workforce Initiative identified a need to develop a more skilled, diverse and professional workforce.  The Specialized Clinical DS Network (SCDSN) submitted a Proposal to  the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services as part of the Workforce Strategy work with the sector. 

The SCDSN Proposal aims to strengthen the Developmental Services (DS) sector by implementing a skills-based acquisition model focused on diverse clinical delivery options. This initiative is designed to build capacity within the DS sector to better support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who were designated as Alternate Level of Care (ALC) in hospital settings and transitioned into the community.

The project includes a multi-pronged strategy aimed at building sustainable capacity within the Developmental Services (DS) sector.

Stream One – Building Skills and Increasing Confidence

A series of 4 pre-recorded virtual education modules were created and uploaded to the RealXchange designed to build clinical competencies and confidence in DS staff to support individuals with DD/ALC designation and complex needs in community settings.

Stream Two – Communities of Practice

Virtual Community of Practice (CoPs) are scheduled between September 2026 and May 2027 to foster peer learning, mentorship, and cross-agency collaboration. The REAL Xchange is hosting the Community of Practice events; sign up will be available approximately one month prior to the event date.

Dates for CoPs are:

Stream Three –  Alternate Level of Care Collaborative Clinic

The Specialized Clinical DS Network (SCDSN) is pleased to announce that our Dual Diagnosis Alternate Level of Care Collaborative Clinic is open for referrals.

To download a

The DD ALC Collaborative Clinic operates as a virtual, one-time consultation-based service where a team of clinical experts will review and provide recommendations for individuals to guide their referring team.  This clinic seeks to enhance support for people with dual diagnosis/alternate level of care that have transitioned from hospital into the community.


Our team is comprised of a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Nurse Practitioner, Registered Behaviour Analyst, Occupational Therapist and Social Worker. The first clinic date is November 4, 2026.

Guidelines for Referral:

Referrals Due: October 19, 2026, by 4:00 PM – Please include the attached consent form, referral package, and applicable supplementary documentation.

If you have any questions, please contact admin@scdsn.org

Disclaimer: The Dual Diagnosis Alternate Level of Care Collaborative Clinic provides a one-time consultation and recommendations to support the team of the person referred. The referred person will not be assessed or treated directly by the clinical team. Recommendations are based on information provided by the referring team at the time of referral. The referring team must take ownership on implementing and monitoring the consultation team’s recommendations. This service does not replace ongoing assessment, treatment, or primary care services from the individual’s existing healthcare providers.