Child and Youth Care

Introduces play-based interventions used in the field of Child and Youth Care that is grounded in theoretical frameworks to holistically responds to risk factors and support protective factors to promotes positive change in behaviours, thoughts, and emotions. The learning lab allows students the opportunity to select, program, facilitate, and evaluate activity-based interventions that consider evidence-informed methods, leadership styles, life space environments and milieu theory, the therapeutic relationship, and group dynamics.

Provides the foundational skills and knowledge of the developmental domains from early childhood through to middle childhood to identify patterns and exceptionalities for growth and development. Focus is in on the role of the Child and Youth Care Practitioner to assess and apply developmentally responsive and culturally appropriate practice methods that integrates theories such as attachment and ecological, and evidence-based research to promote resiliency and builds capacity to meet the needs of the child and their families.

Explores the principles of relational practice to develop and maintain a therapeutic relationship with children, youth, and their families to support change with interpersonal patterns. Students select and apply strategies of relational practice that are trauma-informed, strength-based, and client-centered while considering cultural, psychosocial development, life space, power imbalances, and implications for privacy, confidentiality, trust and safety, presence, empathy, communication skills, engagement, and empowerment strategies. Relevant legislation and codes of ethics for the field of Child and Youth Care are examined to evaluate interactions and professional boundaries to adhere to standards of practice.

Explores techniques and tools for self-inquiry and relational inquiry, such as noticing, to develop self-awareness and consider how personal meaning-making lens such as values, beliefs, opinions, social location, and experiences influence interactions and approaches for professional practice. Students identify the risk and benefits of self-care practices and use reflective tools to examine the impact of self on others, including personal strengths, distorted thinking patterns, and current approaches to wellness. Students use emotional regulation methods and examine self-care strategies to prevent and combat compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, stress reactions, and other occupational stressors related to the field of Child and Youth Care.

Introduces the student to the role and guiding principles of Child and Youth Care practice. The domains of practice provide the framework to explore the evolution of the profession and career opportunities, self-inquiry and interpersonal skills, intervention strategies, and evidence-informed approaches used in the field to support the children, youth, and families.

Introduces students to various forms of trauma and abuse of children and youth, both within and outside of the familial environment. Students gain an understanding of how children, youth, and their families are affected. Types and indicators of trauma and abuse, system responses, interventions, and prevention are explored in the context of Child and Youth Care. Special emphasis is placed on client disclosure and duty to report.

Applies relational practice techniques in life space counselling situations from a culturally sensitive perspective with children, youth, and families. Students use counselling skills, such as empathetic response, clarifying questions, reflection, focusing, summarizing, and crisis techniques to support clients needs using a healing-centered engagement to promote positive change.

Familiarizes students with the developmental phases of adolescence through to young adulthood. Physical, cognitive, and social factors that affect development are explored from a Child and Youth Care practice perspective. Students assess and develop strength-based intervention plans that support psychosocial development in teens and young adults.

Examines behaviour guidance interventions and theoretical frameworks for the role of a Child and Youth Care Practitioner to promote prosocial behaviours of children, youth, and families. Students identify relationship levels, assess strengths, and examine the meaning of behaviour to select and use empowering intervention strategies that are relational, developmental, trauma-informed, and culturally safe.

Prepares students in developing professional standards expected for entry into field placement. Students examine the various roles, professional code of ethics, stages of development and competencies of Child and Youth Care practice to establish professional SMART goals and use self-awareness to communicate learning needs. Professional conduct, incorporating feedback, and organizational and time management skills are essential in this course to complete requirements, use internet tools, develop a professional identity, and transfer relevant career readiness skills to secure the community mentorship.

Examines mental health issues faced by children, youth, and families. Mental health diagnoses and treatments are reviewed. Students learn to recognize indicators, potential causes, and impacts of mental health challenges. The course also focuses on the role of the Child and Youth Care professional in mental health services as well as intervention strategies from a client-centered and strength-based approach.

Explores a variety of counselling theories and relevant applications in the practice of Child and Youth Care. Students assess and select evidence-informed methods for life space counselling from a variety of perspectives, such as humanistic, cognitive, and sociological to respond to potential crisis prevention and intervention situations with the child, youth, and family.

Provides students with their first field placement experience within the scope of practice for Child and Youth Care. Students engage in clinical supervision with a faculty and field placement supervisor to debrief and analyze placement experiences. Students take responsibility for their learning through self-assessments, discussing observations, and seeking support with demonstration of competencies. Students demonstrate the elements of performance for the domains of Child and Youth Care practice at a foundational level. Guided seminars and clinical supervision with faculty and peers to assist the students in processing field related experiences and identifying how to relate theory to practice.

Examines the professional role and responsibility of documentation in the field of Child and Youth Care. The procedures and techniques relating to standards of practice with clinical recording are demonstrated through various case examples, templates and forms. Students select and use technologies to practice and develop documentation skills in various record keeping and report writing formats that follow service delivery progression from intakes through to discharge planning.

Enhances group counselling and facilitation skills. Students adapt counselling theories to the needs of diverse groups. Further, students incorporate knowledge of leadership styles, group dynamics, and conflict resolution to refine group facilitation strategies as they apply to the field of Child and Youth Care. Students guide groups through the various stages of group development and engage them in theory-driven interventions designed to promote healthy group interaction and growth.

Introduces health and safety regulations, emergency procedures, storage and administration of medications, infectious disease, current health, hygiene, and nutrition practices, to prevent harm and promote safe and healing environments. Students communicate methods and intervention approaches specific to practice settings in the field of Child and Youth Care in a developmentally appropriate manner.

Provides continued opportunity to further build on the skills and demonstrate knowledge at a developing level within the scope of practice for Child and Youth Care. The focus is on developing self-reflective practice with an emphasis on communication, professionalism, and clinical skills. Evaluations reflect the domains of Child and Youth Care practice. Guided seminar and clinical supervision discussions with faculty and peers encourage students to process learning and apply theory to practice. Students transfer skills of professionalism and interpersonal to engage in the process of preparing and securing their upper year field placement.

Examines methods of supporting families in a holistic and developmentally responsive manner as a Child and Youth Care Practitioner. This course provides an overview of family systems theory, family dynamics and family functioning. Students use, select, and adapt relational practice, counselling skills, and interventions that empower and respond to diverse needs, composition, and dynamics of families.

Explores various creative intervention methods (such as art, drama, music, play, and storytelling) as techniques for aiding expression and healing with children, youth, and families. Students consider the impact of trauma and the benefit of using creative methods in trauma-informed care. Select and use programming and facilitation skills to apply creative interventions to meet a variety of client needs within the field of Child and Youth Care.

Examines the impact of addiction on children, youth, and families. Students examine key concepts in both substance and process addictions and explore the role as it applies to the scope of Child and Youth Care. This course identifies current trends, prevention strategies, intervention techniques, treatment options, including signs and symptoms, screening, and assessment, to create treatment goals and intervention plans.

Prepares students to use knowledge and skills to educate and build capacity for children, youth, and families within their role as a Child and Youth Care Practitioner to advocate for, and safeguard, Rights, resources, and services needed to bring about positive change. This course examines the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), relevant legislation, current issues and oppressive practices, and conflict resolution styles to identify and apply intervention methods that are trauma-informed and promote autonomy.

This advanced field placement integrates the students cumulative knowledge with professional development. Advanced client engagement, intervention, case planning, and reflective practice skills are developed throughout the course. Students engage with clinical supervision to improve their professional practice through the guided seminar discussions with faculty and peers encourage students to enhance quality of service by integrating selected theoretical material into their Child and Youth Care practice.

Examines culture and diversity within the scope of Child and Youth Care practice. Students explore their own power and privilege, social location, and commitment to cultural humility to gain insight, identify interventions and care approaches that recognizes Indigenous ways of knowing and wise practices. Relevant legislation and evidence-informed resources are used to demonstrate knowledge, and incorporate anti-oppressive frameworks when supporting children, youth, families, and community.

Considers the benefits of the purposeful partnering of animals in Child and Youth Care practice that is developmentally appropriate and culturally inclusive. Students explore the evidence and identify application methods for animal-assisted interventions to promote psychological flexibility and prosocial behaviours with children and youth.

Examines the cultural, developmental, and social?implications?of human diversity, gender, and sexuality in the context of Child and Youth Care practice. Students identify issues, analyze barriers, and examine relevant resources for the promotion of inclusion and education of sexuality, gender, and diversity-based topics.?Students create intervention strategies to minimize risk factors and promote healthy development of age-appropriate sexual health, behaviours, expression, and safety for children, youth, and families appropriate for specific practice settings.

In this final field placement experience, students synthesize knowledge and skill to prepare themselves for entry into the Child and Youth Care field. Students refine professional relationships and continuously enhance quality of service by participating effectively as a team member and networking with community resources. Students solidify their reflective practice and self-care approach through reflective exercises with peers, and clinical supervision in seminar groups and field interactions. 

Focuses on vulnerable and at-risk children and youth who may be involved in the youth justice system. The historical perspective of legislation related to children and youth in conflict with the law is examined. Students are introduced to the justice system and strategies to reduce recidivism. The elements of inter-professional practice within the field Child and Youth Care are analyzed as it relates to collaboration with the police, the courts, and the youth justice system to promote positive change for children, youth and families.

Students research and analyze current issues and trends affecting the Child and Youth Care Field. Students explore literature and resources or to pursue certification in areas that reflect emerging trends and changes in the profession. Topics are enhanced by a variety of learning methods, such as guest speakers and/or professional development opportunities.

Introduces evidence-based problem-solving models for the application of life space counselling and professional practice of Child and Youth Care. The student has an ethical responsibility to promote the respect of differences and develop the skills for collaboration and communication.