PROGRAMS
Child and Youth Care Worker

Certifications attained during program

Course Content

YCW–109     THE PROFESSION OF YOUTH CARE IN CANADA
This course provides an overview of the history, and present day practices of the profession in Canada. The profession will be examined from a theoretical perspective – psychoeducational, behavioral, systemic, disability, etc. – and from a practice perspective – residential, juvenile justice, school-based, community based, recreation, and parent education and support. Protocols, regulations, ethical considerations, teamwork concepts and human rights will also be discussed.

COM–112     COLLEGE COMMUNICATION SKILLS
This course helps students develop the communication skills necessary to function at the college level and to be successful in future employment. Students will review basic grammar, research project preparation, APA documentation style, and seminar preparation (including public speaking).

BUS–233     COMPUTERS FOR THE HUMAN SERVICES WORKPLACE
This course is designed to provide students with the level of computer literacy needed to function in today’s workplace. Utilizing a hands-on approach, general computer concepts, the concepts of microcomputer operating systems, Internet, and word processing applications will be introduced. A personal email account will be introduced and used throughout the course to facilitate communication between students and instructors. Micorosoft Office XP Suite: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook will be covered.

YCW–101     INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
This course will introduce students to the principals and practices of effective human relations. Students will have opportunity to integrate theory and skills development as they begin to recognize the process of human interaction. Giving and receiving feedback, assertiveness, and conflict resolution are among the special topics covered.

YCW–102     SELF CARE IN THE YOUTH CARE PROFESSION
Students will have the opportunity to explore and examine areas of personal stress and their maintaining variables. Traditional and holistic methods of self-care will be examined in this applied course.

YCW–200     FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS IN INTERVIEWING
This course emphasizes the necessary skills to begin any helping relationship. Basic helping skills will be examined and practiced – active listening, reflecting, leading, challenging, paraphrasing, summarizing, etc. – through lectures, class discussions, and role play demonstrations.

YCW–202     THE FAMILY – SYSTEMS, ISSUES, HELPING
This course will examine the family system; it’s communication patterns, rules, and life cycle. Students will have the opportunity to review historical and current practices through an extensive literature review and instructor led lectures. Students will also be introduced to the process of assessment, engagement, empowerment, and discharge as it relates to working with at-risk families.

YCW–203     BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to a wide variety of applied behavioral techniques used to modify behavior. The course will assist the student in observing behavior in an objective and analytical manner. Classical and operant conditioning theories and procedures will be emphasized in a practical manner. In addition, observational learning and cognitive-behavioral procedures will be explored. Effectiveness of treatment procedures and ethical issues will be discussed throughout the course.

PSY–2000     DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
This course will explore life span development (birth to death) with a primary focus on childhood and adolescence. Focus will be placed on developing an understanding of social, emotional, physical, cognitive, spiritual and psychological growth through exploring widely accepted theories.

PSY–3000     ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY OF CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE
The various psychopathologies related to the intellectual, social, emotional and physical sensory functioning of children and youth will be examined. Each disorder will be explored in respect to symptoms, causes and treatment approaches through instructor led lectures and student led seminars. Discussions regarding the use of psychopharmological treatments will be included.

YCW–300     GROUP DYNAMICS AND THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY PLANNING
This course provides opportunities for the student to utilize the skills and techniques of the group process in social and work situations. The focus is on group behavior in therapy settings and the use of various techniques, methods and approaches within the group process with children, adolescents, and families. Students will apply this theoretical knowledge to a wide array of therapeutic activity planning exercises.

COM–300     EMPLOYMENT READINESS
The purpose of this course is to assist students to develop employment readiness skills. Among skills explored are: professional resume development, cover and thank you letters, interviewing skills, mock interview, and specific topics associated with professional behavior in the workplace.

YCW–301     ADVANCED INTERVIEWING
This course will cover specific interviewing and counseling techniques practiced in the Youth Care Profession. Specific emphasis will be placed on developing theoretical knowledge and practical skills regarding the Life Space Intervention (LSI), Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and Reality Therapy.

YCW–302     REPORTING IN CHILD AND YOUTH CARE
This course will focus primarily on reports generated by Youth Care Workers. Students will have the opportunity to develop an Individualized Care Plan, Incident Reports, Weekly Reviews, Care Plan Updates, and Daily Logs through this case-study guided module.

YCW–303     CRISIS INTERVENTION
This course will provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills for managing crisis situations when in the field. Based on the premise that crisis is opportunity, students will learn intervention methods and safe practices through lectures and certifications. Certifications include, but are not limited to, Non Violent Crisis Intervention, Suicide Intervention and First Aid and CPR.

YCW–304     INDEPENDENT DIRECTED SEMINAR
This course will assist students to develop their research and oral presentation skills in an area of mutual interest between the student and the instructor. It is intended that this seminar will be added to the student’s professional portfolio.

YCW–400     FIELD WORK I
The student who meets all designated requirements will be placed in a field placement for an eight-week period. The purpose of this applied course is to assist the student to integrate theory and practice through a supervised experience with a designated population.

SOC–200     YOUTH AND DEVIANCE IN CANADA
This course, facilitated through lectures, class discussions, field trips and guest speakers, will introduce the student to the concepts and theories associated with adolescence, delinquency and youth culture. Topics discussed include, but are not limited to- history of delinquency, youth crime statistics, youth as victim, schools and delinquency, female deviance, and the Juvenile Justice Act.

YCW–305     CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WORKER IN A SCHOOL SETTING
This specialty course will assist students to further develop their skills for work in the educational setting. Topics discussed include professional practice, integration, special education planning, participating in the IEP process, and supporting children with special needs. Up-to-date coverage will be provided by experts in the field when possible.

YCW–306     CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WORKER IN A RESIDENTIAL SETTING
This specialty course will assist students in developing and honing their skills for work in the residential setting – group home, foster home, etc. Focus will be placed on guiding the student to develop competency based approaches that will be used to work with children, youth and their families who are experiencing out of home care situations. Up-to-date coverage will be provided by experts in each area.

YCW–307     CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WORKER IN A CORRECTIONAL SETTING
This specialty course will assist students to further develop their skills for work in a youth correctional setting. Focus will be placed in assisting the student to develop the necessary skills associated with this setting. The course will be facilitated through lecture, group work and specialty certifications that are particular to the correctional setting.

YCW–401     FIELD WORK II (If not employed)
The student who meets all designated requirements will be placed in a field placement for a twelve-week period. The purpose of this applied course is to assist the student to integrate theory and practice through a supervised experience with a designated population. When possible, this placement will be in a different location that YCW-400, Field Work I.