Child and Youth Care

This program will be delivered using a combination of modalities. Courses will be taught mostly face-to-face, butmay ocassionaly be taught online or in a blended/hybrid combination of both online and traditional classroom teaching.

In the Child and Youth Care program, you'll develop the knowledge and skills to advocate for children, youth and their families as you learn to encourage them to be more resourceful and to confidently use their voices.

This three-year Child and Youth Care program will examine the principles, philosophies and characteristics of relational child and youth care practice from child and youth-centred, developmental and ecological perspectives (1). It will also cover themes related to professional boundaries, child and adolescent mental health, psychology, counselling theories, crisis theory, intervention and counselling (group, individual, family), abuse, advocacy and anti-oppression.

As a graduate of this advanced diploma program, you'll be ready to provide prevention and early intervention strategies, assessment, treatment, and counselling to children and adolescents who may be in crisis, struggling with psychological challenges, or who are dealing with other stressful situations. As such, you'll become a valuable member of the mental health profession and use your knowledge and skills to provide life-changing support from a strength-based paradigm.

Child and youth care practitioners engage and work with children, youth and their families across a wide variety of settings, including community-based child and youth development programs, parent education and family support, school-based programs, community mental health, group homes, residential centres, day and residential treatment programs, early intervention, home-based care and treatment, private practice, psychiatric centres, rehabilitation programs, paediatric health care, child protection and youth justice programs (2).

(1) Adapted from Child & Youth Care Program Standards (2022), Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

(2) Settings adapted from the Association for Child and Youth Care Practice and Child and Youth Care Certification Board (2010), "Competencies for Professional Child and Youth Work Practitioner".

Once you complete the Child and Youth Care Program, you'll be able 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.
• Develop the capacity to work with children, youth and families who identify with Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities, as well as people in LGBTQ2+ and disabled communities, by identifying systemic inequities and barriers, integrating practices such as trauma-informed care, and respecting their inherent rights to self-determine

Synopsis of the Vocational Learning Outcomes: (MTCU, September 2022)

Accreditation

Centennial College’s Child and Youth Care Advanced Diploma program has earned accreditation from the Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada as a provider of quality post-secondary education in the field of Child and Youth Care, effective April 21, 2021 to April 20, 2028.

Also Available:

• Child and Youth Care (Part-Time)
• Child and Youth Care (Online)

Companies Offering Jobs

Some Toronto and Greater Toronto Area agencies that have hired Child and Youth Care program graduates include: Aisling Discoveries Child & Family Services, Children's Aid Societies, East Metro Youth Services, Frontenac Youth Services, Kennedy House Youth Services, Ontario Shores Mental Health Sciences, Turning Point Youth Services, Toronto, York Region and Durham School Boards; Youthdale Treatment Centre, Hincks-Dellcrest Treatment Centre, and Kinark Child & Family Services.

Program Highlights

• The Child and Youth Care program may be taken full or part time, and if you are currently working in the field, through a government-funded apprenticeship program.
• The program curriculum is reviewed on an annual basis to ensure courses are up-to-date and based on current research and best practices.
• Program faculty are all trained in child and youth care and have extensive knowledge, expertise and field experience.
• Three specialized field practicums will be provided and include a variety of settings. The first-year field practicum will be in a school board setting and will occur two days per week in Semester 2. The second-year field practicum will be in a residential setting in either Semester 3 or 4 and will occur four days per week (shift work could include day and/or evening hours). The final practicum, three days per week during Semester 5 and 6, will be in a specialized setting. All three field practicums will provide a valuable opportunity for integrating classroom learning and hand-on practice.
• All graduates will receive certification in SafeTALK (Suicide Prevention), ASIST (Suicide Intervention) and Positive Space training.
• The Child and Youth Care program has a specially-designed communications lab that will be used extensively for interactive learning activities, counselling simulations, and small group observation and feedback.
• You'll have the opportunity to engage in intra-professional collaboration with other programs within the College community (e.g., Police Foundations).
• Global Citizenship and Equity (GC&E) Portfolio: You'll develop a portfolio documenting your engagement with the College's signature GC&E competencies. For more information on GC&E, the GC&E Portfolio and the supports available to you, please visit www.centennialcollege.ca/citizenshipandequity.

Career Outlook

• Child and youth care practitioner
• Youth outreach
• Child life specialist
• Youth advocate
• Community justice
• Family support
• Youth employment
• Educator
• Counsellor
• Specialized community support

Education Pathways

Successful graduates of this Child and Youth Care diploma program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial for credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are the degrees from partnering institutions that are available for this program.

Please note that each partner has minimum admission requirementsto be met in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the partner institution.

Please visit our website at //centennial.adv-pub.moveonca.com/outgoing-home/ for more information on articulation agreements.

For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.

Educational Partners

• Qualified graduates of this program may apply to continue their education with Ryerson University's Child and Youth Care direct-entry degree program or receive credit towards their university degree in related disciplines.
• Graduates with a C+ average may apply to Vancouver Island University for direct entry into the third year of the Child and Youth Work degree program. A child protection specialization is also available for a limited number of students.
• Students are encouraged to apply for membership in the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counsellors (OACYC).

Areas of Employment

Graduates from the Centennial College Child and Youth Care program are well recognized in the helping field because of their clinical understanding, their professionalism and job readiness. They work as practitioners in a variety of settings in government agencies, children's mental health programs, educational institutions, hospitals, community agencies, and private practice.

There is a high demand for Child and Youth Care practitioners in:

• Children's mental health
• Youth at risk programs
• Shelters
• Residential programs
• Child welfare agencies
• Youth criminal justice programs
• Youth outreach
• Hostels
• Crisis centres
• Hospitals
• Community-based programs
• Education
• Day-treatment programs

Academic Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older)
• Grade 12 English (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required), or take the Centennial English Admission Test

Additional Requirements

• English language proficiency

Field Placement Requirements

After admission, prior to beginning each Field Placement, you are required to:

• Obtain a special police check called a Broad Record Check (at an additional student cost) for each placement experience. Students who are unable to obtain a clear Broad Record Check may not qualify to attend field placements necessary to obtain a diploma. The Broad Record Check represents a specialized screening tool designed to provide a more extensive background assessment for individuals working closely with children and youth, thereby strengthening safeguards within these vulnerable sectors.
• Provide proof of immunization/vaccination to partnering agencies and school boards when being accepted for each field placement experience. Students who are unable to meet specific agency and school board policies may not be able to attend a field placement, which is a requirement to obtain a Child and Youth Care diploma
• Provide a medical certificate of health to ensure freedom of communicable disease, including a TB test for each field placement experience
• Successfully complete a standard first aid and heart saver AED (C) certification

1. Apply Online

Domestic Students

If you are applying through the Second Career Strategy, please apply at the Employment Training Centre for Second Career (Progress Campus). Second Career Strategy is a funding initiative for those who have been laid-off and are in need of training. For more information go to Second Career Strategy.

If you have previously attended a full time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.

All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee of $125 must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.

International Students

Apply directly to Centennial College here.

2. Submit Documents

Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.

Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.

Applicants who attended school outside of Canada: If you are submitting transcripts to meet admission requirements, you must have the transcripts assessed by an independent credential assessment agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS).

For more information go to Submitting your Transcripts.

3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission

Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.

You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.

You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.

When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.

4. Pay Fees

Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.

You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.

5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)

Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.

Fall registration begins mid-July
January registration begins mid-December
May registration begins mid-April

Your web-registration will not open if:

You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.

Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.

Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2024.

Vocational Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Employ communication, collaboration, and relational skills with the inter-professional team and with community partners to ensure and enhance the professionalism of practice.
7. Engage in self-inquiry, relational inquiry, and critical reflection to develop strategies for learning and the practice of self-care, as a practitioner.
8. Use professional development resources and supervision to increase professional capacity, learning, and leadership skills.
9. Adhere to relevant legislation and Child and Youth Care standards of practice, competencies, and codes of ethics as a practitioner.
10. Practice in a variety of contexts and settings, respecting needs for developmental growth, safety, well-being, and agency, while addressing the varying age and developmental ranges of children, youth, and their families.
11. 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.
12. Develop the capacity to work with children, youth, and families who identify with Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities, as well as people in LGBTQ2+ and disabled communities, by identifying systemic inequities and barriers, integrating practices such as trauma-informed care, and respecting their inherent rights to self-determine.

Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6.  Employ communication, collaboration and relational skills with the inter-professional team and with community partners to ensure and enhance the professionalism of practice.
7. Engage in self-inquiry, relational inquiry and critical reflection to develop strategies for learning and the practice of self-care, as a practitioner.
8. Use professional development resources and supervision to increase professional capacity, learning and leadership skills.
9. Adhere to relevant legislation and Child and Youth Care standards of practice, competencies, and codes of ethics as a practitioner.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Develop the capacity to work with children, youth and families who identify with Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities, as well as people in LGBTQ2+ and disabled communities, by identifying systemic inequities and barriers, integrating practices such as trauma-informed care, and respecting their inherent rights to self-determine