Human Services Diploma: Child and Youth Care (CYC) Specialty

This course introduces students to the concepts of theory and practice in Human Services and the interrelationship between the two. A number of theoretical perspectives on change, such as developmental, feminist and multicultural, are explored both from a Social Work and Child and Youth Care practice perspective. Each approach offers a basis for understanding the change process and supporting behavioural change. These approaches offer the basis for developing a beginning of an integrated knowledge base for approaching practice.

Prerequisites:

HS Certificate or Instructor’s permission.

This course is designed to assist the student to develop self-awareness as a helper and to develop both an understanding and a beginning level of skill. Students are required to participate in exercises, role plays, simulations and video taping in interviews and counselling in order to accomplish the course objectives.

Prerequisites:

HS Certificate or Instructor's permission.

Issues in Youth will explore the issues that face those in adolescence and early adulthood in various societies. 'Adolescence' and 'early adulthood' are terms used to describe a time of life in which major developmental and social changes occur. An exploration of adolescence and early adulthood, and the issues that are unique to these stages of life in various societies will occur. Students will be exposed to theories of adolescence, issues of gender, sociological explanations of existing issues, and to local and international programs designed to address these issues.

Prerequisites:

ENGL 110.

This course is available via Distance Education.

An introduction to normal child development, this course explores selected aspects of the physical, cognitive, emotional, and moral development of children from birth to adolescence; and examines the major theories of child development.

Prerequisites:

PSYC 100/101 or equivalent or written permission of the Instructor and School Chair.

This course is available via Distance Education.

The student will choose to take a course in a second language at the university level.

The foundations of human services professional practices are explored through an examination of the issues surrounding professional identity, ethical practice, and the interdisciplinary team approach. The skills required for communicating as a professional and as a team member, both oral and written, are developed throughout the course.

Prerequisites:

HS Certificate or Instructor's permission.

Practical Responses to Mental Health and Addictions Problems, provides instruction in a variety of rehabilitative and treatment modalities used in work with marginalized populations. Attitudes toward mental health and substance use problems and how they impact helper effectiveness are explored in a supportive milieu. Evidence-based practices such as Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Harm Reduction are used as frameworks for the development of skills and knowledge. Students are introduced to strategies for overcoming stigma and supporting client empowerment in a variety of community and facility settings.

This course is available via Distance Education.

This course is designed to assist students to build advanced helping skills on the base developed in HSER 258. Students learn to use their helping relationships and interpersonal communication skills within the framework of the helping process model. Students are required to demonstrate their skill development on video tape, as well as demonstrate analytical skills that will require both self-awareness and knowledge of the helping model. The focus is on the skills required to carry out action planning, support of action and evaluating of outcome in helping interventions.

Prerequisites:

HS Certificate or Instructor’s permission.

This course is designed to provide an overview of the child and youth care field, and the professional identity of child and youth care workers, which will enable students to work with and advocate for children, youth and families more effectively. The historical development of the field is explored and students gain a working understanding of the key concepts and basic principles of practice in the child and youth care field. They also develop a clear understanding of the similarities and differences in the role and function of child care professionals and other human service professionals.

Prerequisites:

ENGL 110.

Human Service agencies are labour-intensive organizations which invest most of their financial resources in personnel who are engaged in delivering front-end or "hands-on" services. This course will explore the issues around the selection and supervision of staff and assist the participants to develop skills in managing staff in a way that will promote productivity while meeting the needs of these employees.

Prerequisites:

Certificate in ECCE, SSW, CCSW or 30 credits of University Transfer credit including ENGL 110/111 and PSYC 100/101 OR PLA indicating equivalent knowledge and skill to an ECCE, SSW or CCSW certificate.

Students needing a year of introductory English may choose to take English 110/111 or English 112/114. English 112/114 focuses on reading and interpretation of literature, and is an attractive alternative to English 110/111 for students wishing to continue in the study of Arts or Humanities.

English 111 is a one-semester introduction to literary genres through the study of drama, poetry, the short story, and the novel. The course will give students the opportunity to read, discuss, and write about texts in the different genres.

Prerequisites:

ENGL 110 with a grade of "C" or better.

This course is available via Distance Education.

An introduction to normal adult development, this course examines critical issues and theories of adolescence, and early, middle and late adulthood.

Prerequisites:

PSYC 100/101 or equivalent or written permission of the Instructor and School Chair.

This course is available via Distance Education.

This course allows students to explore issues directly impacting First Nations communities. An exploration of factors impacting the development of current issues as well as current approaches used to address these issues is undertaken.

Prerequisites:

ENGL 110.

A 200 to 250 hour practicum located in a child and youth care setting. This practicum requires students to work directly with children and/or youths in order to promote professional skill acquisition and integration. Emphasis is placed on observation and recording skills, awareness of personal functioning in relation to the children and/or youths. The ability to demonstrate beginning-level case management planning, intervention, and case-presentation skills with both a one-to-one focus and a group focus are also emphasized.