Full-time Programs
CYWP - Child and Youth Worker
Program Entry
SEPTEMBER
Program Length
Three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma
| Contact: | E-mail: |
|---|---|
| Lorne Thompson | thompson@loyalistc.on.ca |
On This Page
Highlights
Working with young people in distress takes a blend of compassion, communication and interpersonal skills.
Career Opportunities
Children and youth facing difficulties with the law may be responding to stress, change, loss, poverty, violence, abuse or neglect. Child and youth workers:
- provide non-judgmental support, advocacy and counselling
- develop and implement skills, strategies and opportunities to meet the needs of each child
- work cooperatively with teachers, social workers, psychologists and families
- help distressed children to make positive changes in their behaviour and life potential
- empower families to become healthy, functioning units
Graduates are prepared to work in a range of settings:
- Children’s Aid Society
- open custody homes for young offenders
- residential and day treatment programs in children’s mental heath centres
- schools
Program Description
First year programming combines theory and applied skills:
- foundations of psychology, child development, behavioural disorders and sociological factors affecting families
- critical thinking, research and communication
- observation and assessment techniques
- developing a personal style of counselling.
The next two years enhance theory with applied knowledge of:
- child welfare legislation
- therapeutic techniques
- clinical reporting
- the impact of substance abuse, poverty and family violence
- behaviour management and crisis intervention
Five field placements provide a range of experience in residential settings, special education classrooms and group home facilities. Intensive preparation emphasizes personal safety. Students will:
- conduct assessments
- design case plans
- implement counselling
- monitor client progress
- participate in casework conferences
The program culminates in a 280-hour work placement, performing a full range of job functions under the supervision of a child and youth worker professional.
Learner-centred programming emphasizes ongoing self-assessment; discovering how personal strengths and style help support families in need; and strategies for professional development.
Approximate Cost
Tuition: $2,688 (two semesters)
Books and Supplies: $1200
Consumables Fee: TBC
Admission Requirements
(a) Required academic preparation –
- OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with courses at the general or advanced, (C), (U), (C/U) or (O) level, with any Grade 12 English (C) or (U)
OR
- mature applicant
(b) Health: A formal confidential health history is required as part of the registration process. All applicants must provide proof of the basic health requirements in order to participate in field placements. Prospective students with special needs or limitations that may affect their placement or potential employment opportunities are encouraged to discuss their career goals with faculty prior to admission.
(c) Criminal Record Check: Evidence that a clean criminal record check has been completed through their local police service is required of all students in order to participate in field placements.
(d) First Aid: Students are required to produce evidence that they have successfully completed a Standard First Aid Certification as well as Basic “C” Level C.P.R. qualifications approved by the Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Loyalist / University Transfer
Turn your diploma into a degree. Transfer agreements are in place with the following institutions as of September 2006:
Carleton University
Griffith University
Nipissing University
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Graduates may contact the university of their choice to make individual arrangements. Informal agreements are in place with other institutions and new
transfer agreements are added annually. For more information on university transfer, please click here.
Curriculum
First Year - Semester One
CADW 1003 Intro to Child Development
This course introduces the learner to the foundation information of growth and development patterns, from conception through adolescence. Physical, cognitive, social, emotional and moral development are examined. Norms and deviances to development will be studied.
COMM 1029 Comm Skills for Child & Youth
This course introduces the learner to individual communication styles and how each style impacts group dynamics.
COUN 1011 Interpersonal & Group Dyn-CYW
This course introduces the learner to the complexities of group processes and dynamics in family, group, and residential settings. The use of group work as an effective treatment modality for children and youth will be examined.
PSYC 1011 Intro. to Psychology -CYW
This course introduces the learner to the science of psychology including methods, concepts and theories. The biological bases of behavior, the theory of how we learn and how we behave, perceptual processes, motivation and emotion will be examined.
RESE 1001 Intro to Research & Assessment
This course introduces the learner to research strategies, observation techniques, and assessment tools. Data collection, analysis, interpretation and report writing will also be explored. Effective writing skills will be further developed.
SOCI 1013 Intro to Sociology - CYW
The fundamental concepts and principles of sociology are examined. Culture, patterns of social interaction, norms, values, social institutions, and social change agents are introduced in the context of children, familes and society.
First Year - Semester Two
CYWP 1001 Child/Youth Worker Methodology
This course introduces the values, philosophies and differing strategies parents, guardians, and extended families use in supporting the development of children including behavior management. Concentration on forming plans for running groups and developing the necessary leader therapeutic interaction techniques will be examined.
CYWP 1003 Behaviour Disorders Child/Adol
Behaviour Disorders - Children and Adolescents This course, building on child development, introduces some of the more common problem behaviors of children and youth. Strategies that support children in changing behaviors will be examined.
CYWP 1004 Intro to Counselling Skills
This course addresses the inter-relationship between theory and practice in counseling. Through analyzing counseling skills, learners will begin the process of clarifying and developing their own style of counseling practice. Professional and ethical issues in counseling are explored.
PLAC 1015 Field Placement Seminar 102
This course provides the learner with an introduction to the role of CYW in field placement. Policies, procedures, professional behaviors, and evaluation methods for successful placements will be examined.
PLAC 1016 Field Placement 102
This placement introduces the learner to the types of roles, responsibilities, and strategies Child and Youth Workers require when working with children, families, agencies, and interdisciplinary teams.
SOCI 1014 Sociology and the Family
This course introduces learners to the sociological orientation of the family. Sociological factors including environment, social change theory, social structure, stratification, culture and society and other issues that affect families in Canadian contemporary society will be presented.
Second Year - Semester Three
CYWP 2001 Child Worker Methodology II
Child and Youth Worker Methodology II This course examines current issues affecting the professional practices of Child and Youth Workers. Specialized training in behavior management, non-violent crisis intervention, communication, and clinical reporting will be provided. Prerequisite: CYWP 1001
CYWP 2003 Child Welfare Legislation
This course introduces the legislation that governs the lives of children, youth and their familes. The roles and responsibilities of Child & Youth Workers in settings governed by Child Welfare Legislation will be examined.
CYWP 2004 Advanced Counselling Skills
This course focuses on counselling children, youth and families in a group setting. Learners will gain the theoretical and application skills necessary to use therapeutic factors effectively in group settings suitable for the particular client group. Prerequisite: CYWP 1004
HLTH 2001 Therapeutic Rec Strategies
Therapeutice Recreational Strategies This course provides the learner with basic skills in understanding the relationship of recreational programs to health and wellness and in achieving goals. Learners will gain skills in planning recreational experiences based on the developmental levels and psychological needs of children and youth.
PLAC 2025 Field Placement Seminar 201
This course provides discussion, coaching, and opportunities for exploration of issues, counselling strategies, and intervention methodologies conducive to the needs of individual children or youth in specialized settings. Prerequisite: PLAC 1015
PLAC 2026 Field Placement 201
This placement provides the learner with the opportunity, under supervision, to plan and implement counselling and specialized programming conducive to the needs of individual children or youth and the specialized setting. Prerequisite: PLAC 1016
Second Year - Semester Four
CYWP 2002 Child Methodology 3
This course will examine the psycho-dynamics of children and youth in need of support, including identification, etiology disorders. Learners develop programming and treatment plans for young people that are both developmentally and educationally appropriate. Prerequisites: CYWP 1001 and CYWP 2001
CYWP 2005 Therapeutic Use of Art /Play
This course introduces the learner to the use of play and art for child and youth therapy. Emphasis on models, strategies, and environmental conditions will be discussed.
PLAC 2027 Field Placement Seminar 202
This seminar provides advanced discussion and leads learners to employ a variety of critical thinking skills necessary to integrate theory with practice. Examination of potential strategies and actual intervention methodologies will be examined. Prerequisites: PLAC 1015 and PLAC 2025
PLAC 2028 Field Placement 202
This placement supports the learner, under supervision, to integrate theory with practice. An emphasis on working with children, youth and their families in specialized settings. Prerequisites: PLAC 1016 and PLAC 2026
SOCI 2011 Contemporary Family issues
This area of study introduces the learner to the current issues facing families in Canadian society. Living conditions, economic impacts, family and societal impacts such as substance abuse, child abuse, and family violence will be examined. Prerequisite: SOCI 1014
Third Year - Semester Five
PLAC 3013 Field Placement Seminar 301
This phase of the field placement experience focuses on further supporting programming strategies as well as examining ways to develop a safe and secure environment for children and youth. Learners will examine the use of restraint devices, conducting room and body searches, recognizing and controlling contraband, and examining safety issues in daily living. Prerequisites: PLAC 1015; PLAC 2025 and PLAC 2027
PLAC 3014 Field Placement 301
This placement focuses on learners conducting assessments, creating a case plan, providing supportive counselling, designing programs reflective of a case plan, monitoring the client's progress, and participating in casework conferences. Prerequisites: PLAC 1016; PLAC 2026 and PLAC 2028
SOCI 3002 Cultural Issues and Diversity
This course is designed to expand the learner¿s understanding of cultural issues, morals, and sexuality and how they affect families. Issues such as alcohol/drugs, abuse, unemployment, and cycles of poverty will be highlighted.
Third Year - Semester Six
PLAC 3015 Field Placement Seminar 302
This seminar supports learners in culminating theory and application skills. Current issues that impact practice such as foster care, intervention treatments, professional practices, law enforcement, mental health systems and other strategies that benefit children and youth in educational and community settings will be highlighted in relation to case planning and programming.
PLAC 3016 Field Placement 302
This placement is the key cornerstone for learners in the Child and Youth Care Worker program. Under the supervision of a CYW professional, the learner will combine theory and skill acquisition in performing counselling, assessment, case planning, group work, behavior intervention, and perform other fundamental concepts similar to full-time staff in a CYW role. Prerequisites: PLAC 1016; PLAC 2026; PLAC 2028 and PLAC 3014
SOCI 3003 Professional Issues
Professional Issues and Development This course guides the learner in examining personal strengths, interests, limitations, and recognition of the impact personal styles have on others. Values, beliefs, lifestyle origin will be examined. Strategies for developing support networks, and personal reflection with the goal of engaging in advanced self-exploration and understanding will be examined.
