Child and Youth Care (Fast-Track)

This course explores a variety of counselling theories used when working with children, youth, and families. Students examine theories from a variety of perspectives, such as humanistic, cognitive, and sociological. Students apply counselling theories to case studies or scenarios and choose appropriate intervention techniques. Students integrate and synthesize this knowledge into their Child and Youth Care counselling practice.

In this course, students enhance 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.

This course is designed to introduce learners to the fundamentals of crisisintervention, ethical issues, and decision making strategies pertinent to the field ofChild and Youth Care. Students will learn about the framework required topromote the best care, welfare, safety, and security for clients, themselves, andcolleagues. This approach of non-violent crisis intervention teaches safe, non-harmful behaviour management techniques designed to deescalate crisis situations. Students apply general ethical principles to particular situations through the use of case studies, practice exercises and group discussions.

This course introduces students to experiential learning in a variety of Child andYouth Care settings. Students work directly with children, youth and families whoare experiencing social, emotional and behavioural challenges in order to engage intherapeutic relationships that promote growth and development.

This introductory practicum takes place in a field setting that permits students to engage in the foundational principles of Child and Youth Care practice. Students work with a faculty member and an agency supervisor to debrief and analyze placement experiences. Students take responsibility for their learning through self-assessments, discussing observations, and seeking support and supervision. Evaluations reflect the domains of the Child and Youth Care practice. Guided seminar discussions with faculty and peers assist students in processing field related experiences and identifying how to relate theory to practice.

Prerequisite(s): CAYW125 + CAYW112 +  CAYW120 +  CAYW121 +  CAYW122 + CAYW311 + BEHA5

In this course, students explore various creative 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. Through the use of programming and facilitation skills, students apply creative interventions to meet a variety of client needs within the field of Child and Youth Care.

This course provides students with experiential learning in a variety of Child andYouth Care settings. Students work directly with children, youth and families whoare experiencing social, emotional and behavioural challenges in order to furtherengage in therapeutic relationships, which promote growth and development.

This course builds on the introductory practicum by providing students with experiential learning in a field-related setting that permits the student to continue to engage in the principles of Child and Youth Care practice. The focus of the course is on developing self-reflective practice with an emphasis on communication, professionalism, and clinical skills. Evaluations reflect the domains of the Child and Youth Care practice. Guided seminar discussions with faculty and peers encourage students to process learning and apply theory to practice.

Prerequisite(s): CAYW1025

This course is designed to help students understand the importance ofdocumentation in the Child and Youth Care (CYC) field. The structure andprocedures relating to clinical recording will be demonstrated through various caseexamples and templates. Students will practice/develop specific documentationskills in various record keeping and report writing formats related to Child andYouth Care such as; intake assessments, plan of care reports, progress reports,referrals, logs, note taking, critical incident reports and discharge summaries.

This course builds on prior knowledge regarding the study of the family as asystem. The course provides an overview of family systems theory, familydynamics and family functioning. Various family types, life styles and forms ofparenting are also explored along with specific resources and interventions used in a Child and Youth Care approach to working with families.

This course examines the impact of addiction on children, youth, and families. Students study key concepts in both substance and process addictions. Students explore their role in addictions work, as it applies within the scope of Child and Youth Care. This course looks at current trends, prevention strategies, intervention techniques, and types of treatment. Course topics may include signs and symptoms, screening, assessment, setting treatment goals, systemic issues and barriers, stages of behaviour change, and interviewing and counselling skills.

This course 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.

This course explores how advocacy and activism contribute to social change for children, youth and families in the field of Child and Youth Care. Students practice their role as an advocate in inter-professional situations. Further, this course examines the idea of social activism from an anti-oppression and cultural competent perspective while recognizing privilege and status within society. The course is provided from a theory to active practice model, allowing students to develop competencies for societal change.

This course provides students with experience in working directly with children,youth and families in the Child and Youth Care field. Students develop therapeuticrelationships with young people to promote their growth and development. Thiscourse affords students the opportunity to design, implement and evaluateindividual and group therapeutic activities and interventions. Students also havethe opportunity to engage in professional relationships, participate effectively as ateam member and consult collaboratively to enhance the quality of service.

This advanced field practicum 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. 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.

Prerequisite(s): CAYW1026 + CAYW210 + CAYW211 + CAYW 200 + CAYW214 + CAYW 226

This course provides an overview of human sexuality and how it is perceived in contemporary society. An understanding of sexuality and associated typical and atypical behavior are explored, including possible implications when working with at risk youth. This course is also geared towards enhancing the student's development in teaching sex education to clients; developing comfortableness with discussions and counseling sessions related to sexual issues; and being able to competently and compassionately deal with the sensitive sexual issues that arise when working with children, youth and young adults.

Prerequisite(s): CAYW112 + CAYW121

This course focuses on vulnerable and at risk children and youth who may be involved in the youth justice system. The history of legislation pertaining to children and youth in conflict with the law and the changing perspective over time is examined. Students are introduced to the rights of children and youth in terms of the justice system and strategies to reduce recidivism. The course analyzes how the practice of Child and Youth Care works in collaboration with the police, the courts and the youth justice system to promote positive change for children, youth and families.

Prerequisite(s): COMM11

This course provides students with advanced practical experience in workingdirectly with children, youth and families in the field of Child and Youth Care.Students apply evidence-based interventions consistent with developmental stages and identified needs and goals of children, youth and families to promote growth and development. This course affords students the opportunity to further engage in professional relationships by participating effectively as a team member, and consulting collaboratively with community resources to continuously enhance the quality of service.

In this final field practicum course, 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, clinical supervisors, and supporting faculty in seminar groups and field interactions.

Prerequisite(s): CAYW1027

Social change involves a significant change in a society or culture that has lastingeffects on that culture. In this course, students examine their own roles withinsociety and their capacity to be agents of social change. Students will have theopportunity to develop a better understanding of a community of their choosing,including the roles that different community members play, societal factors thataffect them, perceptions of and within the community, and the role of thecommunity within the larger society. Through experiential learning students havethe chance to initiate a social change project and examine the impact of thisproject.