Child and Youth Care Program (Accelerated) (C143)

PLEASE NOTE: The Child and Youth Care (Accelerated) program runs from May 2021 through April 2022 for 12 consecutive months.

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 12 consecutive months (three 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 May and is delivered over 12 consecutive months (three 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.

This program does not currently offer a part-time study option.

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.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Advocate for the rights of children, youth and their families and maintain an anti-oppression perspective and cultural competence in diverse cultural contexts.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Use evidence-based research, professional development resources and supervision models to support professional growth and lifelong learning.

* 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.

This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.