This Child and Youth Care program has earned national accreditation from the Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada, becoming the first of its kind in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area and the third in Canada to do so.
In the Child and Youth Care (Accelerated) (CYC) program, you will have an opportunity to learn how to work effectively with at-risk children, youth and families who are experiencing developmental, mental health, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Apply to this program stream if you have already completed a two- or three-year diploma, or a three- or four-year degree.
Overview
Program name
Child and Youth Care
Experiential learning
Field Placement (unpaid)
Duration
16 consecutive months
Credential
Ontario College Advanced Diploma
Year of Study
Select a year to view.
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Program Availability
Domestic students
Sept. 2020
N/A
Jan. 2021
Suspended
May 2021
Open
International students
Sept. 2020
N/A
Jan. 2021
Opens Apr 6, 2020
May 2021
N/A
Full Description
In the Child and Youth Care (Accelerated) program, you will have the opportunity to learn how to support at-risk children, youth and families by developing therapeutic skills and abilities. Over the course of 16 consecutive months (four
semesters), you will learn how to build therapeutic relationships with clients and collaborate with a professional team as you develop skill sets to create a professional identity as an agent of change.
Scope of practice includes:
- assessing risk and developmental needs of vulnerable children and families
- designing and implementing therapeutic intervention
- crisis intervention and safety planning with children, youth and their families
- developing therapeutic relationships within challenging contexts
- applying group and systems theories in milieu work
- fostering resilience and applying a strength-based approach to assessment and intervention
Have questions? Review our most frequently asked questions and answers.
This program starts in January and is delivered over 16 consecutive months (four consecutive semesters).
Students are required to successfully complete a Ministry-approved crisis intervention training certificate in their third semester.
In preparation for the field or clinical placement, students will be required to work in multiple small and large groups within classes and community settings.
Part Time Study Options
This program does not currently offer a part-time study option.
Experiential Learning
Field Placement (unpaid)
Your Field Study options
Students gain valuable hands-on experience through two supervised field placement opportunities. Each placement lasts four consecutive months and runs four days a week.
Field placement opportunities take place in agencies and institutions that offer services to the community within the Greater Toronto Area. The CYC program also offers placement experiences in Jamaica and India. Typical placement sites include:
- group homes
- schools
- hospitals
- youth shelters
- community outreach programs
Students are expected to work both day and evening shifts (not overnight) and may be requested to work on some weekends.
Note: Field placements are unpaid positions.
Program Standards and Learning Outcomes
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 interprofessional 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.
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Required Courses
SEMESTER 3: January - April
semester courses
| Code | Course Name |
|---|
| CYCS1047 | Introduction to Child & Youth Care |
| CYCS1048 | Therapeutic Activities |
| CYCS1049 | Counselling Children & Youth |
| CYCS1055 | Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppressive Practices |
| CYCS1056 | Legislation & Social Issues |
| CYCS1057 | Child & Adolescent Development |
SEMESTER 4: May - August
semester courses
| Code | Course Name |
|---|
| CYCS2011 | Writing for the Profession |
| CYCS2030 | Field Practice I |
| CYCS2034 | Field Work Seminar I |
SEMESTER 5: September - December
semester courses
| Code | Course Name |
|---|
| CYCS1050 | Group Work with Adolescents |
| BST2003 | Crisis Prevention and Intervention |
| CYCS2026 | Trauma Informed Approaches |
| CYCS3016 | Working with Families |
| CYCS3017 | Mental Health |
| CYCS3020 | Community Based Practices |
SEMESTER 6: January - April
semester courses
| Code | Course Name |
|---|
| CYCS2035 | Field Work Seminar II |
| CYCS2042 | Human Sexuality |
| CYCS3018 | Field Practice II |
Detailed course outlines
Your Career
Child and Youth Care graduates are eligible for membership in the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counsellors (OACYC), the professional association representing Child and Youth Care Practitioners in the province of Ontario.
Our graduates find employment as workers in:
- treatment centres
- group homes
- hospitals
- youth shelters
- schools
- community-based treatment programs
Future Study Options
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Tuition
$3,673.00 *
Additional Cost
* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2019. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2020 and at later dates.
International students: Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this online calendar is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.
Wondering how to pay for college?
Learn about financial aid, OSAP, scholarships, bursaries, work study, and award options.
Admission Requirements
- Completion of a 2-year or 3-year diploma, or a 3-year or 4-year bachelor's degree
English Language Proficiency
Applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English proficiency test results must test at the College level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for admission.
Please visit georgebrown.ca/englishproficiency for more details.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit georgebrown.ca/transferguide for more information.
International (Visa) Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information.
Apply to
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges
Special Requirements
Clinical Pre-placement health form requirements and program policy
- Upon confirmation of acceptance into this program, students must meet and complete all the mandatory Requisite health form requirements for this program. It will take up to 10 to 12 weeks to complete.
- Students will need to process and provide proof of their medical records such as (MMR, Varicella, Hep B blood test reports/titers, Tdap shot valid every 10 years and Two Step TB Skin Test), a clear police vulnerable sector check renewed every year, Standard First Aid certificate renewed every three years and CPR level C renewed every year. This requirements must be submitted by the given deadline to ParaMed.
- Students who do not comply with the program’s health policy and requirements will not be eligible to attend and excluded from the field practicum which may jeopardize your academic standing and unable to graduate in this program.
- All costs, service fees and fines associated with the overall health requirements are the responsibility of the student.
- To download the mandatory Requisite health form and for more details, go to the Pre-placement website at georgebrown.ca/preplacement/social-and-community-services.aspx
Police Vulnerable Sector Check requirements and program policy (renew every year)
- In compliance with the requirements of our placement partners, all students in this program are required to have a police vulnerable sector check completed, and this check must be renewed annually before entering into field or clinical placement.
- The police vulnerable sector check process typically takes two to three months, but under some circumstances can take four to eight months. This is required to protect the clientele of our placement partner agencies, who are considered “vulnerable persons” under the law.
- Students are responsible for ensuring that the police vulnerable sector check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).”
- Students are required to keep the original copy of their police vulnerable sector check.
- Students who are unable to provide a “clear” police vulnerable sector check may not be able to start their field or clinical placement and therefore may be unable to complete the program. Students who are not eligible to attend their practice placement due to a “not clear” status will jeopardize their progress in the program. Our agency partners have the final decision for students being allowed to practice in their agency.
- Failure to meet the requirements for field placement will prevent students from completing the program and/or securing employment.
- The fees for the police record check vary and must be paid by the student. For more information, please visit the Pre-placement website at georgebrown.ca/preplacement/record_check/
How to Apply
Learn more about the application process for:
TRANSFER GUIDE
If you are a college or university student or graduate, you may be eligible for program transfers or course-to-course transfers. We have transfer agreements with colleges and universities across Canada and internationally.
SUPPORT FOR APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES
With disability documentation you can receive academic accommodations. Contact us for information.
Success Stories
"After working at Cedar Heights Residential Living for just a few months, I was hired as a case manager. I work with youth living with brain based development issues who often have more than one diagnosis.
There is never a dull day at work but I feel confident in the field due to my experience at GBC. I had a good base to start from because of the dedication of faculty in making course content relevant and I can apply lessons learnt to my actual
work.
Thank you once again for everything!"
Deyana Sameh (Graduate, 2018, Child and Youth Care)
"I really feel that this program prepares you well. You're going to learn what you need to know and I think you're learning it from the right people."
Hayley Pocock (Graduate 2016, Child and Youth Care)
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George Brown College is continually striving to improve its programs and their delivery. The information contained in this calendar is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College admission, graduation, and fee requirements as well as any requirements of outside institutions, industry associations, or other bodies that may award additional designations concurrently with, or after completion of, a George Brown College program.
