Learn to work with children and youth who exhibit social, emotional and behavioral problems that may be associated with mental health and cognitive issues, socioeconomic factors, trauma and abuse, and involvement with the justice system. Child and Youth Care practitioners engage with at-risk children, youth and their families as they navigate these challenges and build on strengths and capacities to facilitate positive changes. Students explore, practice, and implement a variety of evidence informed therapeutic prevention and intervention strategies that are based on a foundational understanding of risk and resiliency, the ecological perspective, relational practice, human development, family systems, cultural diversity and exceptionalities. We emphasize experiential interactive learning, community service and opportunities for social innovation, entrepreneurship, and changemaking.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- develop and maintain relationships with children, youth and their families by applying principles of relational practice and respecting their unique life space, cultural and human diversity;
- assess and respond to the strengths and needs of children and youth, including complex responses impacted by developmental, environmental, physical, emotional, social and mental health challenges in order to promote positive change;
- analyze and evaluate the impact of the inter-relationship among children, youth and their families, social services, justice, and community systems and use this information to plan holistic care and to reduce systemic barriers;
- plan, implement and evaluate interventions using evidence-informed practices in the areas of therapeutic milieu and programming and group work to promote resiliency and to enhance development in children, youth and their families;
- advocate for the rights of children, youth and their families and maintain an anti oppression perspective and cultural competence in diverse cultural contexts;
- apply communication, teamwork and organizational skills within the interprofessional team and with community partners to enhance the quality of service in child and youth care practice;
- develop and implement self-care strategies using self-inquiry and reflection processes to promote self-awareness and to enhance practice as a Child and Youth Care practitioner;
- use evidence-based research, professional development resources and supervision models to support professional growth and lifelong learning;
- employ environmental sustainable practices within the profession;
- develop social entrepreneur skills to foster positive social change in the community.
Career opportunities
Child and Youth Care practitioners engage and work with children, youth and their families across a wide variety of settings including:
- public and private schools
- group homes
- residential centres
- foster care agencies
- day and residential treatment programs
- youth detention centres
- community-based child and youth development programs
- early intervention programs
- recreational programs
- psychiatric centres
- rehabilitation programs
- pediatric health care centres within hospitals
- home-based care, respite and treatment
- private practice
External Recognition
Graduates may apply to become members of the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC). Graduates may also apply to be certified with the Child and Youth Care Certification Board (CYCCB)
Work Integrated Learning: 4 Field Placements
Duration:
6 Semesters (3 Years (CYCA); Accelerated - 2 Years (CYAC)) - Full-time