Child and Youth Care Program (C133)
Program Description
Leadership Claims
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.
Program Overview
The Child and Youth Care program prepares you to work effectively with children, youth, and families who are experiencing social, emotional, developmental, and behavioural challenges. The program integrates a holistic approach embedding an ecological perspective and principles of human rights, anti-oppressive practice, resiliency, and restorative practice.
Full Description
Prepare for a career supporting children, youth and their families in a variety of settings, including hospitals, group homes, treatment centres, and more, with the Child and Youth Care (C133) advanced diploma program. This three-year program is anchored in the values of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care Code of Ethics.
As a student in this program, you will learn to engage purposefully and effectively with children, adolescents and families.
The focus of CYC work is to support those who struggle with emotional, behavioural, and developmental challenges that impair their abilities to relate to others. The specific focus of this program is to recognize the impact of mental health challenges on children and youth and to design programs to support children and youth and their families.
As a student in this program, you will learn to translate theory into practice to move youth from potential risk to resilience.
You’ll gain practical experience with supervised field placements. 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.
Your Field Education Options
Field placement plays an important role in the Child and Youth Care program.
All placements will be matched in conjunction with the field placement co-ordinator and the CYC faculty. All placements require the completion of the ParaMed documentation (for example, medical and vulnerable sector check). During the first year, students will learn foundational skills that they will develop as the course progresses. The subsequent academic courses come to life in a wide range of supervised field placements in the second and third years of the program.
Second-year students can expect to be in placement two days a week (winter semester), and third-year students can expect to be in placement three days a week over 28 weeks (including both the fall and winter semesters).
NOTE: To proceed to field placement, students are required to pass the prerequisite for placement CYCS 1015 – Field Preparation Seminar.
Students will enrol and are required to pass both Field Placement and Field Seminar courses, which are co-requisites. Second-year placement is a prerequisite for third-year placement. The passing grade for all field-related courses is 60 per cent.
Placements may take place in professional settings such as:
- residential care
- hospitals
- shelters
- schools
- after-school programs
- community outreach programs
- day treatment
- youth justice
Students are expected to work both day and evening shifts (not overnight) and may be requested to work on some weekends.
Students are able to apply for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition for one field placement.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Educational Pathways
Graduates of the Child and Youth Care program may qualify for advanced standing in other programs at George Brown College. Some examples include (but are not limited to):
- Social Service Worker (Accelerated) (C135)
- Behavioural Science Technician (Accelerated) (C156)
- Community Worker (Accelerated) (C131)
- Early Childhood Education (Fast-Track) (C130)
- Assaulted Women's and Children's Counsellor/Advocate Program (AWCCA) (Accelerated) (C147)
- Career Development Practitioner (C406)
Child and Youth Care graduates are also eligible to apply for a degree completion program at the following institutions:
Child and Youth Care at Toronto Metropolitan University
Child and Youth Care at Humber College
School of Child and Youth Care at University of Victoria
Justice Studies at Royal Roads University
Child and Youth Studies at Trent University
Students are eligible for membership in the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC), the professional association representing Child and Youth Workers in the province of Ontario.
For further information, see the Transfer Guide.
Courses
Required Courses
SEMESTER 1
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS 1004 | Introduction to Child and Youth Care |
| CYCS 1054 | Interpersonal Communication |
| CYCS 1057 | Child & Adolescent Development |
| COMM 2000 | Communicating Across Contexts** |
| GNED | General Education Elective |
SEMESTER 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS 1015 | Field Preparation Seminar |
| CYCS 1022 | Therapeutic Activities |
| CYCS 1055 | Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppressive Practices |
| CYCS 1056 | Legislation & Social Issues |
| ISHU 1035 | Indigenous Studies |
SEMESTER 3
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS 1049 | Counselling Children & Youth |
| CYCS 2045 | Field Practice 1 |
| CYCS 2046 | Field Work Seminar 1 |
| CYCS 2031 | Writing for the Profession (Online) |
SEMESTER 4
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS 2045 | Field Practice 1 |
| CYCS 2046 | Field Work Seminar 1 |
| CYCS 2026 | Trauma Informed Approaches |
| CYCS 2040 | Human Sexuality |
| CYCS 2041 | Group Work in CYC Practice |
SEMESTER 5
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS 3016 | Working With Families |
| CYCS 3020 | Community Based Practices |
| CYCS 3021 | Mental Health I |
| CYCS 3023 | Field Practice II |
| CYCS 3024 | Field Work Seminar II |
| BST 2003 | Crisis Prevention & Intervention |
SEMESTER 6
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS 3022 | Mental Health II |
| CYCS 3025 | Critical Issues in CYC |
| CYCS 3023 | Field Practice II |
| CYCS 3024 | Field Work Seminar II |
| GNED | General Education Elective |
**Based on the results of your placement test, you may be required to take COMM 1000 (Introduction to College Communication) before progressing to COMM 2000. COMM 1000 does not count as a course required for graduation, and you will be charged for this extra course. Please visit the Assessment Centre page for more information.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Develop and maintain therapeutic relationships with children, youth and their families, respecting their unique life spaces, and applying the principles of relational practice to meet their needs.
- Assess the strengths, developmental and holistic needs of children, youth and their families, using methods grounded in theoretical frameworks, research and therapeutic practices, to develop care and intervention plans.
- Develop and implement care and intervention plans appropriate for the therapeutic milieu using evidence-informed practices and research to provide support for children, youth, and their families.
- Use equitable and inclusive approaches that are anti-colonial, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and strength-based frameworks, as well as cultural humility, to create positive and sustainable solutions and respond to inequities and to systemic barriers experienced by children, youth and their families.
- Advocate for, and in solidarity with, children, youth, their families and communities through their participation in the development and implementation of care and intervention plans that uphold their rights.
- Employ communication, collaboration and relational skills with the inter-professional team and with community partners to ensure and enhance the professionalism of practice.
- Engage in self-inquiry, relational inquiry and critical reflection to develop strategies for learning and the practice of self-care, as a practitioner.
- Use professional development resources and supervision to increase professional capacity, learning and leadership skills.
- Adhere to relevant legislation and Child and Youth Care standards of practice, competencies, and codes of ethics as a practitioner.
- Practice in a variety of contexts and settings, respecting needs for developmental growth, safety, wellbeing and agency, while addressing the varying age and developmental ranges of children, youth, and their families.
- Employ crisis prevention and intervention techniques, and harm-reduction principles, with children, youth and their families in the provision of care, to ensure their safety, resolution of crises, and reparation of relationships.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
International Tuition
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials, student service, and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2023. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2024 and at later dates. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
** Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2024. Tuition fees are subject to board approval. Material, student service and ancillary fees are estimated based on prior years. All fees are subject to change without notice. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
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 website 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.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, including the required courses, and any other selection criteria outlined below:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent**
- grade 12 English (C or U) – minimum grade of 65 per cent required
- volunteer experience with children and youth is highly recommended
** Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older and no OSSD)
Mature students may take the Admissions Assessment for English, OR may consider upgrading to achieve the credit(s) needed in English.
Please note that George Brown is committed to ensuring that applicants will succeed in their program of choice and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants may be required to have grades higher than the minimum requirements stated.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit Transfer Guide for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
Special Requirements
Clinical Pre-placement Health Form requirements and program policy (for 2nd and 3rd year returning students only)
- Upon confirmation of acceptance into this program, students must meet and complete all the mandatory Pre-placement requirements for this program. It will take up to 8 to 12 weeks to complete.
- Students will need to process and provide proof of their medical records (such as TDAP shot, COVID-19, MMR, Varicella, Hep B blood test reports/titres and Two-Step TB Skin Test), proof of clear Vulnerable Sector Check renewed every year and Standard First Aid and CPR level C Certificate renewed every three years. These requirements must be submitted by the program-specific deadline to ParaMed Placement Pass website.
- COVID-19 vaccination: Public Health continues to recommend that people working with vulnerable communities be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Clinical agency partners continue to require students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be approved to complete clinical placements within their facilities. Agencies have the right to decline the placement of students who are not fully vaccinated, and students who are not vaccinated are at risk of not being able to complete their clinical placement course requirements.
- The health policies and non-academic requirements are designed to protect clients and vulnerable populations whom students will engage in practice. Students who do not comply with the program’s health policy and non-academic requirements, or who do not submit all required documentation by deadlines established by the program will be excluded from the clinical practicum. Exclusion from clinical practicum for any reason may jeopardize students' academic standing and successful completion of this program.
- All costs, service fees and fines associated with the overall health requirements are the responsibility of the student.
- To download the mandatory Pre-placement health form and for more details, go to the Clinical Pre-placement website.
- Students who do not fulfill medical pre-requirements are to speak with their program coordinators in advance, in order to find a suitable placement option
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 Vulnerable Sector Check completed, and this check must be renewed every six months before entering into field or clinical placement.
- The 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 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 Vulnerable Sector Check.
- Students who are unable to provide a “clear” Vulnerable Sector Check will not be able to start their field or clinical placement and will therefore 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 vulnerable sector check vary and must be paid by the student. For more information, please visit the Clinical Pre-placement website.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Social & Community Services
Email: communityservices@georgebrown.ca
Child & Youth Care Program Coordinators
Judy Masters: jmasters@georgebrown.ca
Zalina Mohamad, zalina.mohamad@georgebrown.ca
International Students: Please contact the International Centre.
If you require accommodations, please contact Accessible Learning Services.
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
Child and Youth Care Program (C133)
Program Description
Leadership Claims
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.
Program Overview
George Brown College's Child and Youth Care (C133) program teaches students the skills they need to work effectively with children, youth and families who are experiencing social, emotional, developmental and behavioural challenges. The program integrates a holistic approach embedding an ecological perspective and principles of human rights, anti-oppressive practice, resiliency and restorative practice.
Full Description
George Brown College's Child and Youth Care (C133) program combines best practice principles and a relational approach that is anchored in the values of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care Code of Ethics.
Students learn to engage purposefully and effectively with children, adolescents and families who struggle with emotional, behavioural and developmental challenges that impair their abilities to relate to others.
Specific focus is on recognizing the impact of mental health challenges on children and youth.
Students learn to translate theory into practice to move youth from potential risk to resilience.
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.
Your Field Education Options
Field placement plays an important role in the Child and Youth Care program.
During the first year, students will learn foundational skills that they will develop as the course progresses. The subsequent academic courses come to life in a wide range of supervised field placements in the second and third years of the program.
Second-year students can expect to be in placement two days a week (winter semester) and third-year students can expect to be in placement three days a week over 28 weeks (includes both the fall and winter semesters).
Placements may take place in professional settings such as:
- residential care
- hospitals
- shelters
- schools
- after-school programs
- community outreach programs
- day treatment
- youth justice
Students are expected to work both day and evening shifts (not overnight) and may be requested to work on some weekends.
Students are able to apply for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition for one field placement.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Educational Pathways
Graduates of the Child and Youth Care program may qualify for advanced standing in other programs at George Brown College. Some examples include (but are not limited to):
- Social Service Worker (Accelerated) (C135)
- Behavioural Science Technician (Accelerated) (C156)
- Community Worker (Accelerated) (C131)
- Early Childhood Education (Fast-Track) (C130)
- Assaulted Women's and Children's Counsellor/Advocate Program (AWCCA) (Accelerated) (C147)
- Career Development Practitioner (C406)
Child and Youth Care graduates are also eligible to apply for a degree completion program at the following institutions:
Child and Youth Care at Toronto Metropolitan University
Child and Youth Care at Humber College
School of Child and Youth Care at University of Victoria
Justice Studies at Royal Roads University
Students are eligible for membership in the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC), the professional association representing Child and Youth Workers in the province of Ontario.
For further information, see Transfer Guide.
Courses
Required Courses
SEMESTER 1
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS 1004 | Introduction to Child and Youth Care |
| CYCS 1054 | Interpersonal Communication |
| CYCS 1057 | Child & Adolescent Development |
| COMM 2000 | Communicating Across Contexts** |
| GNED | General Education Elective |
SEMESTER 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS 1015 | Field Preparation Seminar |
| CYCS 1022 | Therapeutic Activities |
| CYCS 1055 | Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppressive Practices |
| CYCS 1056 | Legislation & Social Issues |
| ISHU 1035 | Indigenous Studies |
SEMESTER 3
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS 1049 | Counselling Children & Youth |
| CYCS 2045 | Field Practice 1 |
| CYCS 2046 | Field Work Seminar 1 |
| CYCS 2031 | Writing for the Profession (Online) |
SEMESTER 4
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS 2045 | Field Practice 1 |
| CYCS 2046 | Field Work Seminar 1 |
| CYCS 2026 | Trauma Informed Approaches |
| CYCS 2040 | Human Sexuality |
| CYCS 2041 | Group Work in CYC Practice |
SEMESTER 5
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS 3016 | Working With Families |
| CYCS 3020 | Community Based Practices |
| CYCS 3021 | Mental Health I |
| CYCS 3023 | Field Practice II |
| CYCS 3024 | Field Work Seminar II |
| BST 2003 | Crisis Prevention & Intervention |
SEMESTER 6
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS 3022 | Mental Health II |
| CYCS 3025 | Critical Issues in CYC |
| CYCS 3023 | Field Practice II |
| CYCS 3024 | Field Work Seminar II |
| GNED | General Education Elective |
**Based on the results of your placement test, you may be required to take COMM 1000 (Introduction to College Communication) before progressing to COMM 2000. COMM 1000 does not count as a course required for graduation, and you will be charged for this extra course. Please visit Assessment Centre for more information.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Develop and maintain therapeutic relationships with children, youth and their families, respecting their unique life spaces, and applying the principles of relational practice to meet their needs.
- Assess the strengths, developmental and holistic needs of children, youth and their families, using methods grounded in theoretical frameworks, research and therapeutic practices, to develop care and intervention plans.
- Develop and implement care and intervention plans appropriate for the therapeutic milieu using evidence-informed practices and research to provide support for children, youth, and their families.
- Use equitable and inclusive approaches that are anti-colonial, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and strength-based frameworks, as well as cultural humility, to create positive and sustainable solutions and respond to inequities and to systemic barriers experienced by children, youth and their families.
- Advocate for, and in solidarity with, children, youth, their families and communities through their participation in the development and implementation of care and intervention plans that uphold their rights.
- Employ communication, collaboration and relational skills with the inter-professional team and with community partners to ensure and enhance the professionalism of practice.
- Engage in self-inquiry, relational inquiry and critical reflection to develop strategies for learning and the practice of self-care, as a practitioner.
- Use professional development resources and supervision to increase professional capacity, learning and leadership skills.
- Adhere to relevant legislation and Child and Youth Care standards of practice, competencies, and codes of ethics as a practitioner.
- Practice in a variety of contexts and settings, respecting needs for developmental growth, safety, wellbeing and agency, while addressing the varying age and developmental ranges of children, youth, and their families.
- Employ crisis prevention and intervention techniques, and harm-reduction principles, with children, youth and their families in the provision of care, to ensure their safety, resolution of crises, and reparation of relationships.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
International Tuition
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2022. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2023 and at later dates.
** Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2023. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2024 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 website 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.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, including the required courses, and any other selection criteria outlined below:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent**
- grade 12 English (C or U) – minimum grade of 55 per cent required
- volunteer experience with children and youth is highly recommended
** Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older and no OSSD)
Mature students may take the Admissions Assessment for English, OR may consider upgrading to achieve the credit(s) needed in English.
Please note that George Brown is committed to ensuring that applicants will succeed in their program of choice and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants may be required to have grades higher than the minimum requirements stated.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit Transfer Guide for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
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. This 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, Two Step TB Skin Test and COVID-19), a clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check renewed every year, Standard First Aid certificate renewed every three years and CPR level C renewed every year. These 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 are excluded from the field practicum, which may jeopardize their 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.
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 practise 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.
- Students are required to successfully complete a Ministry-approved crisis-intervention training certificate in their fifth semester.
Our field placement partners may require students to show proof of vaccination. It is your responsibility to ensure all pre-placement requirements are met.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Social & Community Services
Email: communityservices@georgebrown.ca
Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Child & Youth Care Program Coordinators
Judy Masters: 416-415-5000, ext. 3708, jmasters@georgebrown.ca
Zalina Mohamad, Zalina.Mohamad@georgebrown.ca
For more information about George Brown College Contact George Brown College
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
