Courses
Child and Youth Care-2025/2026
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| WRIT-1094 | Reason & Writing 1 for Community Studies | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce Community Studies students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| BSCI-1264 | Therapeutic Programming | 3 | ||
| This course is designed to equip students with the conceptual frameworks, and technical skills necessary to plan, develop, implement, analyze and evaluate appropriate recreational and therapeutic programs for children and youth. This introductory course enhances students' knowledge and skills in utilizing games, exercises and activities for therapeutic purposes. Students will gain appreciation for the therapeutic value of play/ programming and begin to practice in a controlled setting. Students will be introduced to a variety of therapeutic interventions that can be applied in milieus where children and youth are commonly supported by Child and Youth Care Practitioners. | ||||
| PSYC-1114 | CYC Skills & Interventions | 3 | ||
| This is a practical course designed to teach students basic attending skills and strategies for working effectively with children. Sources of influence for children's behaviour are examined, including the role Child and Youth Care Practitioners have as a source of positive influence and empowerment in the lives of young people. | ||||
| PSYC-1115 | CYC Relational Practice-Intro | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce students to the field of Child and Youth Care. Students will have a full understanding of the development of the profession and the importance of personal and professional growth. An overview of the role of the Child and Youth Care Practitioner will be covered as related to the CYC practice milieus. An introduction to ethics in the field of Child and Youth Care will be examined throughout the course using the Ethical and Professional Standards as well as the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counsellors Code of Conduct. Students will be introduced to the Domains of Practice and the Elements of Performance related to each domain. Relational practice and experiential learning will be discussed throughout the course. | ||||
| FLDP-1046 | Professional Practice: Field Readiness | 2 | ||
| This course introduces the student to the initial field component of Child and Youth Care. During this field preparation course, students will identify the outcomes and goals to successfully complete the first field placement. In addition to job skill development, students begin to work toward preparatory documentation necessary to attend the field placement. | ||||
| PSYC-1116 | Diversity in CYC Practice | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce students to diverse populations in the field of Child and Youth Care and in today's society. This course will ask students to examine their perspectives both personally and professionally, utilize self-reflection and self-awareness to begin to build an inclusive practice. The concept of ally will be woven throughout the course so students can begin to address personal bias in their practice. Students will develop skills in critical thinking and apply this knowledge to CYC practice. | ||||
| PSYC-1117 | Child Development | 3 | ||
| This course will provide students with an opportunity to understand the growth and development of children 0 - 12 years of age. Development will be understood through the use of five major theoretical perspectives and the physical, cognitive and social/emotional domains. The concepts of heredity and environment will be discussed throughout the course in relation to the role of child and you care practitioners. The role of research in child development and family policy will be reviewed in order for student to understand their advocacy role. Students will apply their knowledge of child development through simulations and experiential learning activities as they raise a virtual child and attend in-class parent meetings to discuss and review their virtual child's development. | ||||
| Level 2 | ||||
| Take the following Mandatory Course: | ||||
| FLDP-1047 | Field Practicum 1 | 14 | ||
| This practicum experience in an elementary school setting will provide an opportunity for the student to integrate, under supervision, their newly acquired theoretical knowledge through practice and reflection. Students will demonstrate essential employability skills such as time management, communication, professionalism, teamwork, and managing personal demands. While participating in this course, students will complete various field placement related assignments, engage in self-reflective practice, and participate in discussions to support their field placement experience. | ||||
| Level 3 | ||||
| Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course. | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| PSYC-3036 | Adolescent Development | 3 | ||
| This course will provide students with an opportunity to understand the growth and development of adolescents ages 13 and up. Development will be understood through the use of five major theoretical perspectives and the physical, cognitive and social/emotional domains. The concepts of heredity and environment will be discussed throughout the course in relation to the role of child and youth care practitioners. Current issues specific to adolescence will be included. | ||||
| LAWS-3062 | Documentation & Legislation | 3 | ||
| This course will review the legislative acts governing and guiding the field of Child and Youth Care, including the roles and responsibilities of Child and Youth Care Practitioners in a variety of settings. Legislation covered will include United Nations Charter on the Rights of the Child, CYFSA including Duty to Report and Residential Care, YCJA, Education Act, Mental Health Act, PHIPA, AODA, Child Care Modernization Act, Ministry of Community and Social Services Act and Ministry of Correctional Services Act. Students will also learn professional terminology, requirements for writing reports, log notes and plans of care for children and families with an emphasis on a strengths based approach. | ||||
| COMM-3082 | Communications for Community Studies | 3 | ||
| This course, designed for students who plan to work in the field of Community Studies, focuses on professional written and verbal communication skills. Students learn to prepare a variety of work-related documents. In addition, students learn about research methods and documentation formats. The principles of effective writing - organization, grammar, style, clarity, and tone - are reinforced throughout the course. The goal of the course is to prepare students for the communication tasks and considerations they will encounter in the Community Studies workplace in order to meet the needs of employers and/or the communities they will serve. | ||||
| PSYC-3042 | Counselling Skills for CYC Practice | 3 | ||
| This course is designed to increase the students' knowledge and skills for effective interviewing and counselling with children and youth. Through simulation in a micro-counselling format students apply counselling skills which involves the breaking down of individual skills into component parts, learning them one at a time. | ||||
| PSYC-3043 | CYC Relational Practice-Advanced | 3 | ||
| Utilizing the context of the life-space framework the student will gain further knowledge of the scope of Child and Youth Care practice and the various special needs and special circumstances impacting children, youth and families. The student will build knowledge and analyze the expectations of the role of the Child and Youth Care Practitioner, in order to enhance their readiness for direct client interaction. | ||||
| FLDP-3041 | Professional Identity: Field Practice | 2 | ||
| This course prepares the student for the intermediate field placement component of Child and Youth Care practice. During this field preparation course, students explore their professional identity, review intermediate placement outcomes, demonstrate reflective practice, interpersonal skills, and job readiness skills. Students will further develop their interview skills, and demonstrate professional conduct. Students review the forms and preparatory documentation necessary to attend the field placement. | ||||
| PSYC-3039 | Mental Health Literacy | 3 | ||
| This course will build on students' understanding of developmentally typical behaviour through an exploration of the criteria used to classify atypical behaviour. Students will also gain an understanding of the theoretical approaches and the root causes, prevalence, symptoms and treatment of child and youth mental health disorders. Students will be able to recognize and explain the symptoms of common mental health disorders in relation to the DSM-5, using both a CYC perspective and a psychological perspective. Community based resources will be explored. | ||||
| Level 4 | ||||
| Take the following Mandatory Course: | ||||
| FLDP-3054 | Field Practicum 2 | 14 | ||
| This practicum experience requires the student to integrate, under supervision, their theoretical knowledge through application and self-reflective practice. Students will build therapeutic relationships and create supportive programming with individuals experiencing emotional, behavioral, social and mental health challenges. This placement will occur in one of a variety of settings: mental health, homelessness, educational, youth justice, community-based services, live-in care or caregiver support. Students will be provided with opportunities to demonstrate essential employability skills. While participating in this course, students will complete various field placement related assignments, reflections, and discussions to support their field placement experience. | ||||
| Level 5 | ||||
| Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course. | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| HLTH-5025 | Addictions, Drugs & Wellness | 3 | ||
| In this course, both theoretical perspectives and practical skills will be explored preparing entry level Child and Youth Care Practitioners to support the well-being of their clients. Various components of addiction, including intervention strategies and best practice approaches for prevention are reviewed. Psychotropic medications, medication protocols and health-related legislation commonly encountered in the field of Child and Youth Care are examined. As part of the wellness component, students are introduced to complementary alternative therapies. | ||||
| FLDP-5027 | CYC Career Readiness | 1 | ||
| This course prepares the student for the advanced field placement component of Child and Youth Care practice. During this field preparation course, students further develop their employability and interpersonal skills required to be ready to work in the CYC field. Students review advanced placement outcomes, demonstrate reflective practice, prepare effective job search tools, and demonstrate professional conduct. Students review the forms and preparatory documentation necessary to attend the final field placement. | ||||
| PSYC-5025 | Family Dynamics | 3 | ||
| This course is designed to prepare the student to explore child and youth behaviour in the context of the family. Students will be encouraged to think critically about family interaction patterns through the use of communication theories. Students will study the use of various family theories (Systems, Symbolic Interaction, Family Life Course Development, Conflict, Feminist, Ecological) to gain an understanding of systemic and generational influences, which contribute to individual and familial growth. Emphasis will be placed on understanding one's own family experiences to appreciate the impact personal history has on professional practice in Child & Youth Care. | ||||
| PSYC-5033 | Theoretical Frameworks in CYC Practice | 3 | ||
| This course is aimed at helping students consolidate their personal understanding and viewpoints about the wide range of contrasting theoretical models of psychoanalysis available to children and families in need. Selected frameworks are examined in detail, specifically in terms of their origins, philosophic orientation, key concepts and techniques. Through lectures, discussions, small group activities, reading and writing papers students are assisted to critically evaluate the practices of the therapeutic interventions attached to these frameworks, as well as develop their own personal model of practice. | ||||
| SOCI-5010 | Child Abuse & Neglect | 3 | ||
| In this course students will examine the overrepresentation of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour in the child welfare system. Through an anti-oppressive lens, students will explore the causes and dynamics of child maltreatment including indicators of child abuse, disclosure and effective responses along with their legal responsibilities as a mandatory reporter. Students will simulate a report to child protection as part of their evaluation and consider their own well-being through the course and in their future in the field to prevent vicarious trauma by exploring a self-care strategy. | ||||
| PSYC-5034 | Facilitating Group Work | 3 | ||
| This course is designed to give students both a theoretical and applied group design and facilitation experience. This course aims to increase student's knowledge and competency, in the areas of group dynamics, group intervention, group development and group leadership, as they apply to the field of Child and Youth Care. Students will explore the application and impact of these skills in a variety of child and youth care contexts with an appreciation for an anti-oppressive perspective. | ||||
| PSYC-5035 | Adv Counselling Skills for CYC Practice | 3 | ||
| This course is designed to provide opportunities for students to develop and practice advanced interviewing and counselling skills. Students will explore the application and impact of these skills in a variety of child and youth care contexts with an appreciation for an anti-oppressive perspective. | ||||
| Level 6 | ||||
| Take the following Mandatory Course: | ||||
| FLDP-5025 | Field Practicum 3 | 14 | ||
| This culminating practicum experience provides an opportunity for the student to integrate, under supervision, their theoretical knowledge through application and self-reflective practice. Students will further develop and demonstrate skills and competencies consistent with entry level Child & Youth Care Practitioners. Opportunities to provide supportive programming for individuals experiencing emotional, behavioral, social and mental health challenges will be provided. This placement will occur in one of a variety of settings: mental health, homelessness, educational, youth justice, hospital, community-based services, live-in care or caregiver support. Students will be provided with opportunities to further develop essential employability skills. While participating in this course, students will complete various field placement related assignments, reflections, and discussions to support their field placement experience. | ||||
| Gen Ed - Electives | ||||
| Take 6 General Education Credits - Normally taken in Levels 3 and 5 | ||||
| Program Residency | ||||
| Students Must Complete a Minimum of 27 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program | ||||