Program Overview
Graduates of the Child and Youth Care program engage with children, youth, and their families in their everyday lives, use a relational approach to developing therapeutic relationships and build on their strengths and capacities to promote optimal development and facilitate positive changes. Many of the children and youth receiving care, and their families, experience complex needs and challenges associated with multiple factors such as socioeconomic factors, systemic factors, mental health, trauma, cognition, learning, and/or developmental exceptionalities and/or involvement in the justice system.
Child and Youth Care graduates demonstrate an understanding of and ability to adhere to values and guiding principles in their practice. These include but are not limited to:
- A belief in child and youth-centred, holistic, developmental, and ecological perspectives
- A commitment to anti-oppressive practice, anti-racist practice, cultural safety, and cultural humility
- Knowledge of evidence-based, evidence-informed, trauma-informed and strength-based interventions
- A focus on self-awareness and self-advocacy and the promotion of resiliency
Child and Youth Care practitioners adhere to professional codes of ethics, and all relevant legislation governing the systems and services in which child and youth care practitioners are employed.
Practitioners are committed to evidence-based research, and evidence-informed practice and engage in continuing professional education to support ongoing professional growth and competence in Child and Youth Care practice; including the use of proactive supervision seeking from both those assigned to them as well as ascribed mentorships.
Program Highlights
- Learn to Implement and evaluate a range of prevention, intervention and treatment strategies for children, youth and their families with difficult home situations, substance abuse, behavioural problems, mental health challenges, homelessness, self-harm, suicidal ideation and conflicts with the law, Interventions include crisis intervention, conflict management, problem solving, counselling, activity programming and group work.
- Interactive classroom work
- Develop clinical observation and reporting skills.
- Understand and develop therapeutic relationships
- Extensive full-time field placement experience in each year of study whereby theory is integrated with practice. First Year: 240 hours; Second Year: 480 hours; Third Year: 480 hours.
- Student membership in the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care, with access to the Relational Child and Youth Care Journal, e-books, and discounts for conferences and workshops.
- All faculty are experienced Child and Youth Care practitioners
- All faculty hold Child and Youth Care credentials and are members of the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care
Career Opportunities
Child and Youth Care graduates are valuable members of inter-professional teams and can expect to work with children, youth and their families across a variety of settings, including community-based child and youth development programs, parent education and family support, school-based programs, community mental health, group care, live-in treatment centres, day and live-in treatment programs, early intervention, home-based care and treatment, private practice, clinical facilities, child and youth mental health and psychiatric centres, rehabilitation programs, paediatric health care, child protection and youth justice.
Degree Completions
Graduates of the Child & Youth Care program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 may be eligible to block transfer into Year 3 of Degrees in Disability Studies, Psychology and Social Work at the University of Windsor. Graduates may also be admitted into the third year of the Bachelor of Justice Studies Degree at Royal Roads University, the Bachelor of Child and Youth Care at Toronto Metropolitan University, and the Bachelor of Child and Youth Care at Humber College.
Professional Accreditation and Affiliations
- Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada (CYCEAB)
- St. Clair College's Child and Youth Care 3-year Diploma Program has earned accreditation from the Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada as a provider of quality post-secondary education in the field of Child and Youth Care
- Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC)
- St. Clair College is an Organisational Member of the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care.
Admission Requirements
OSSD with the majority of courses at the College(C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level plus:
- Grade 12 English - ENG4U, ENG4C, EAE4C or EAE4U.
Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.
Important Information
This is a HIGH-INTEREST program and has the potential to become oversubscribed. Applicants are advised to apply before February 1st. See Admission Procedures for details.
Health Requirements
Accepted applicants must supply proof of a satisfactory medical examination and immunization prior to program entry.
Please be advised that a lack of documented immunizations may result in the restriction of clinical placement and therefore may delay and/or prevent completion of the prescribed program.
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Semester 1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|
Semester 3
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
CYW100
|
Field Experience I |
16
|
Semester 6
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
CYW200
|
Field Experience II |
32
|
Semester 9
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
CYW300
|
Field Experience III |
32
|
Past Cohorts:
Semester 1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| CYW154 | Psychology Of Adjustment, (Psychology Of Behaviour And Adjustment) | 3 |
| CYW155 | The Child And Youth Worker As A Professional | 3 |
| CYW251 | Activities With Children I | 3 |
| CYW204 | Relational Child and Youth Care Practice | 3 |
| SSC160 | Basic Psychology | 3 |
Semester 2
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW150 | Child Care Techniques I | 3 |
| CYW152 | Introduction To Treatment | 3 |
| SSC159 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| SSC121G | Celebrating Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| SSC240 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
Semester 3
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW100 | Field Experience I | 16 |
Semester 4
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| CYW250 | Child Care Techniques II | 3 |
| CYW256 | Family Dynamics | 3 |
| CYW217 | Youth Justice | 3 |
| CYW156 | Observation Skills And Reporting | 3 |
Semester 5
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW257 | Counselling Process, Progress & Evaluation | 3 |
| CYW258 | Personality Psychology | 3 |
| CYW351 | Activities With Children II | 3 |
| CYW352 | Ethics And Practice In Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| CYW149 | Health And Wellness For Child And Youth Care | 3 |
Semester 6
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW200 | Field Experience II | 32 |
Semester 7
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| CYW303 | Family Based Intervention | 4 |
| CYW333 | Children & Youth With Exceptionalities | 3 |
| CYW340 | Adolescent Issues & Intervention | 3 |
| CYW317 | Child And Adolescent Mental Health And Intervention | 3 |
Semester 8
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW254 | Individual Growth And The Group Process | 3 |
| CYW350 | Child Care Techniques III | 3 |
| CYW358 | Learning Theory And Behavioural Change | 3 |
| PRM125 | Pharmacology | 3 |
Semester 9
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW300 | Field Experience III | 32 |
Semester 1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW251 | Activities With Children I | 3 |
| CYW154 | Psychology Of Adjustment, (Psychology Of Behaviour And Adjustment) | 3 |
| CYW155 | The Child And Youth Worker As A Professional | 3 |
| COM200 | Communications | 3 |
| SSC160 | Basic Psychology | 3 |
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
Semester 2
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW150 | Child Care Techniques I | 3 |
| CYW152 | Introduction To Treatment | 3 |
| SSC159 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| SSC121G | Celebrating Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| SSC240 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
Semester 3
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW100 | Field Experience I | 16 |
Semester 4
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| CYW250 | Child Care Techniques II | 3 |
| CYW256 | Family Dynamics | 3 |
| CYW217 | Youth Justice | 3 |
| CYW156 | Observation Skills And Reporting | 3 |
Semester 5
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW257 | Counselling Process, Progress & Evaluation | 3 |
| CYW258 | Personality Psychology | 3 |
| CYW351 | Activities With Children II | 3 |
| CYW352 | Ethics And Practice In Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| CYW149 | Health And Wellness For Child And Youth Care | 3 |
Semester 6
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW200 | Field Experience II | 32 |
Semester 7
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| CYW303 | Family Based Intervention | 4 |
| CYW333 | Children & Youth With Exceptionalities | 3 |
| CYW340 | Adolescent Issues & Intervention | 3 |
| CYW317 | Child And Adolescent Mental Health And Intervention | 3 |
Semester 8
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW254 | Individual Growth And The Group Process | 3 |
| CYW350 | Child Care Techniques III | 3 |
| CYW358 | Learning Theory And Behavioural Change | 3 |
| PRM125 | Pharmacology | 3 |
Semester 9
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW300 | Field Experience III | 32 |
Semester 1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW251 | Activities With Children I | 3 |
| CYW154 | Psychology Of Adjustment, (Psychology Of Behaviour And Adjustment) | 3 |
| CYW155 | The Child And Youth Worker As A Professional | 3 |
| COM200 | Communications | 3 |
| SSC160 | Basic Psychology | 3 |
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
Semester 2
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW150 | Child Care Techniques I | 3 |
| CYW152 | Introduction To Treatment | 3 |
| SSC159 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| SSC121G | Celebrating Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| SSC240 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
Semester 3
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW100 | Field Experience I | 16 |
Semester 4
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| CYW156 | Observation Skills And Reporting | 3 |
| CYW250 | Child Care Techniques II | 3 |
| CYW256 | Family Dynamics | 3 |
| CYW357 | Young Offenders & Social Deviancy | 3 |
Semester 5
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW257 | Counselling Process, Progress & Evaluation | 3 |
| CYW258 | Personality Psychology | 3 |
| CYW351 | Activities With Children II | 3 |
| CYW352 | Ethics And Practice In Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| CYW149 | Health And Wellness For Child And Youth Care | 3 |
Semester 6
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW200 | Field Experience II | 32 |
Semester 7
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELEC1030 | Choose 1 Elective Course | 3 |
| CYW303 | Family Based Intervention | 4 |
| CYW333 | Children & Youth With Exceptionalities | 3 |
| CYW340 | Adolescent Issues & Intervention | 3 |
| CYW268 | Clinical Developmental Psychopathology | 3 |
Semester 8
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW254 | Individual Growth And The Group Process | 3 |
| CYW350 | Child Care Techniques III | 3 |
| CYW358 | Learning Theory And Behavioural Change | 3 |
| PRM125 | Pharmacology | 3 |
Semester 9
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CYW300 | Field Experience III | 32 |
Placement Requirements
Please be aware that although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, some of our placement sites may require students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Unfortunately, we cannot predict if a placement site will begin to require full vaccination and as such, we are encouraging all students to consider vaccination. If the requirement of your placement sites changes at any point, you will be notified immediately by the College.
It is important to note that if placement sites do require students to be fully vaccinated to attend their place of business, students who are not fully vaccinated cannot be provided with a placement for their program and therefore will not be able to complete their programs.
If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, please contact our St. Clair College Health Centre at 519-972-2727 ext. 4484 (in Windsor) or 519-354-9100 ext. 3729 (in Chatham).
Employers who provide our field placement settings require a CLEAR POLICE RECORD CHECK for criminal offences with vulnerable sector screening before accepting a student into the field placement setting. The record check MUST be obtained by the student at the student's expense. Detailed information on dates to apply for police clearance will be given throughout the semester. Some agencies may require a driver's licence, additional liability insurance and a clean driving abstract.
NOTE:
- Police and Medical Requirements Letter (Letter for the School of Community Studies)
- Police Clearances for the School of Community Studies
- Standard First Aid and CPR Level C Certification must be obtained PRIOR to Field Placements.
- Medical clearances are due in September (see Medical Requirements Forms)
- Health and Safety Completed
- WHMIS Completed
- WSIB Form
- Responsibility Form
- Ethics/confidentiality Form
- School Board Declaration
- All required paperwork/training must be completed PRIOR to Field Placement
- Students who fail to meet paperwork/training deadlines will not be eligible to attend Field Placement
Block placements are full-time commitments (First Year: 6 weeks at 40 hours a week; Second Year: 12 weeks at 40 hours a week; Third Year: 12 weeks at 40 hours a week). Ongoing placements begin in the Fall and require up to 10 hours a week outside of classroom hours. Ongoing placements typically continue through June. Some ongoing placements allow students to attend full-time when classes end (semesters 3,6,9). Students are advised to take a leave of absence from their part-time jobs during block placement as it is not possible to be fully present in placement if you are working outside of your placement hours. You must be available to perform your placement duties as scheduled which may include evenings and weekends.
Program Physical Demands Analysis
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Child and Youth Care (Ontario Advanced College Diploma) (MTCU Code 60701)
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Develop and maintain relationships with children, youth and their families 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 family, social service, justice and community systems on children, youth and their families and use this information in the planning of holistic care and in the reduction of 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 inter-professional 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.
Child and Youth Care (Ontario Advanced College Diploma) (MTCU Code 60701)
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to
- Develop and maintain therapeutic relationships with children, youth and their families, respecting their unique life spaces, and applying the principles of relational practice to meet their needs.
- Assess the strengths, developmental and holistic needs of children, youth and their families, using methods grounded in theoretical frameworks, research and therapeutic practices, to develop care and intervention plans.
- Develop and implement care and intervention plans appropriate for the therapeutic milieu using evidence-informed practices and research to provide support for children, youth, and their families.
- Use equitable and inclusive approaches that are anti-colonial, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and strength-based frameworks, as well as cultural humility, to create positive and sustainable solutions and respond to inequities and to systemic barriers experienced by children, youth and their families.
- Advocate for, and in solidarity with, children, youth, their families and communities through their participation in the development and implementation of care and intervention plans that uphold their rights.
- Employ communication, collaboration and relational skills with the inter-professional team and with community partners to ensure and enhance the professionalism of practice.
- Engage in self-inquiry, relational inquiry and critical reflection to develop strategies for learning and the practice of self-care, as a practitioner.
- Use professional development resources and supervision to increase professional capacity, learning and leadership skills.
- Adhere to relevant legislation and Child and Youth Care standards of practice, competencies, and codes of ethics as a practitioner.
- Practice in a variety of contexts and settings, respecting needs for developmental growth, safety, wellbeing and agency, while addressing the varying age and developmental ranges of children, youth, and their families.
- Employ crisis prevention and intervention techniques, and harm-reduction principles, with children, youth and their families in the provision of care, to ensure their safety, resolution of crises, and reparation of relationships.
- Develop the capacity to work with children, youth and families who identify with Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities, as well as people in LGBTQ2+ and disabled communities, by identifying systemic inequities and barriers, integrating practices such as trauma-informed care, and respecting their inherent rights to self-determine.
Effective September 2023