Child and Youth Worker Diploma Program

In this subject, students will learn a range of professional competencies required by the beginning Child and Youth Care professional. The subject offersan entry-level knowledge of child and youth protection and the law in Canada including the Duty to Report, the Child, Youth and Family Services Act and the Youth Criminal Justice Act. This subject will also examine the role of the Child &Youth Care Worker in various milieus and environments.      

The subject covers a comprehensive study of human development from birth to adolescence and will examine the developmental processes and milestones with an emphasis on behavioural, cognitive and social, and emotional domains. 

This subject explores common mental health disorders of childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood as part of a continuum of development. It will explore societal perspectives of abnormal behaviour and the ethical use of mental health terms and labels.  

This subject examines specific mental health disorders of childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood as part of a continuum of development. This topic also provided with diagnoses, symptoms, treatments, and behavioural strategies as they relate to each mental health disorder and to the work of a CYC practitioner.

This subject provides a step-by-step guide through the case management process specific to Children and Youth, from intake and assessment to referrals and termination. Current practice trends and considerations, current legal issues, ethics, and ethical issues. Students will also focus on the importance of maintaining accurate client information and collaborating with other service providers.

This subject explores the basis for professionals to discover their own guidelines for helping within the broad limits of professional codes of ethics and divergent theoretical positions. Development of critical thinking skills when dealing with ethics issues will include an anti-oppressive lens to their practice.

This subject the requisite skills the of creating and maintaining accurate, up-to-date comprehensive, professional documentation and client records that meet legal scrutiny. 

In this subject, students will learn the task model to provide a systematic way of dealing with people in crisis: Defining the Problem, Ensuring Client Safety, Providing Support, Examining Alternatives, Making Plans, and Obtaining Commitment.

This subject explores the problem of youth crime within social contexts, and to recognize the facts that lead youth to enter into conflict with the law. It will introduce such topics as how police handle young persons while focusing on new and updated legislation, such as the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, the Safe Streets and Communities Act, the Child, Youth and Family Services Act and the Youth Criminal Justice Act..

This subject demonstrates how traumatized children understand the world around them, how they interact with others, how their issues manifest in their behaviour, and other ongoing challenges they face with anxiety, trauma triggers, mental health issues, and relationships.

This subject covers interviewing skills within the helping professions. This includes the basic theory and skills necessary for effective interviewing including useful clarification and attitudes in relation to cultural competence and boundaries, and effective communication skills, including identifying responses, listening and responding, asking questions, and dealing with difficult issues.

The fundamental elements of counselling and the development of intra/interpersonal communication skills are explored. Emphasis will be placed on the theory and practical skills necessary to therapeutically respond to children and youth people in a supportive, constructive, and culturally sensitive manner.

This subject addresses the shift from client-focused Child and Youth Care to integrating the needs of the client’s family. The focus is on strategies used with the child and their family within the context of his or her home as well as emphasize the broader social, economic, cultural, and community environments. Interventions/strategies will be looked at from a strength-based approach. Students will be introduced to a variety of topics in this subject including.

In this subject, individuals will learn how to develop the diverse skills required to practice effective helping relationships when working with at-risk children and youth. Students will learn, among other things, how to utilize a strength-based approach, developmentally appropriate practice, understanding play and behaviours, and attachment theory.

This subject discusses advocacy, current protective legislation; youth justice; children’s rights; the rights of children in care; laws that govern Children’s Mental Health; laws that govern the Education Act; and other current issues that govern the CYC profession.

Health promotion self-care tools to assist with potential burnout, compassion fatigue, and/or vicarious trauma. Tools, exercises, and strategies will be explored and discussed.

This project provides the opportunity learning to be transferred to a virtual case study that will take them throughout the CYC process.