Youth Care Worker Certificate

Program Overview

The Youth Care Worker program prepares students to work with youth in various settings, including group homes, community schools, and outreach programs. The program covers topics such as youth development, therapeutic relationships, crisis prevention, and program planning. Students gain hands-on experience through two practicums and develop skills in communication, behavior support, and family systems. Graduates are qualified for careers as youth care workers, community school outreach workers, and group home workers.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Content: The Youth Care Worker program covers various aspects of youth growth and development.
Students will learn how to develop therapeutic relationships with youth, their families, and other informal helpers.
• Structure: The program is offered full-time and part-time, with a program length of 8 months.
• Course Schedule:
• Semester 1
• MGMT 193 - Behaviour Supports in Youth Care
• EMPL 180 - Employability Skills
• HLTH 183 - Health Promotion in Youth Care
• SOCI 184 - Sociology A
• COMM 291 - Interpersonal Communications
• YCW 187 - Youth Care Practices 1
• SAFE109 - Introduction to Crisis Prevention
• ORTN 385 - Orientation
• PRAC 384 - Practicum 1
• Semester 2
• YCW 284 - Addictions
• REHA 281 - Program Planning
• YCW 189 - Indigenous Awareness
• HUMD 188 - Human Growth & Development
• SOCI 185 - Sociology B
• YCW 188 - Therapeutic Activities
• YCW 282 - Family Systems
• PRAC 385 - Practicum 2
• Individual Modules:
• Behaviour Supports in Youth Care:
This module covers strategies for supporting youth with challenging behaviors, including positive behavior support plans and crisis management techniques.
• Employability Skills: This module teaches students essential job search and workplace skills, such as resume writing, interviewing, and communication skills.
• Health Promotion in Youth Care: This module discusses the importance of health and well-being for youth and provides practical strategies for promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Sociology A: This module introduces students to the basic principles of sociology, including social stratification, inequality, and social change.
• Interpersonal Communications: This module focuses on developing effective communication skills, including active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution.
• Youth Care Practices 1: This module provides an overview of the field of youth care, including the history, ethics, and legal responsibilities of youth care workers.
• Introduction to Crisis Prevention: This module teaches students how to recognize and respond to crisis situations involving youth, including suicide prevention and violence intervention.
• Orientation (YCW): This module provides students with an overview of the Youth Care Worker program and the expectations of the profession.
• Practicum 1 (YCW): This practicum provides students with hands-on experience working with youth in a supervised setting.
• Addictions: This module examines the causes and consequences of substance abuse and addiction in youth.
• Program Planning: This module teaches students how to develop and implement effective programs and interventions for youth.
• Indigenous Awareness: This module provides students with an overview of Indigenous culture, history, and issues, including the impact of colonization and residential schools.
• Human Growth & Development: This module covers the physical, cognitive, and emotional development of children and adolescents.
• Sociology B: This module explores advanced concepts in sociology, such as social theory, research methods, and social policy.
• Therapeutic Activities: This module provides students with practical skills for engaging youth in therapeutic activities, such as art therapy, music therapy, and play therapy.

Careers:

• Youth care worker
• Community school outreach worker
• Community school classroom assistant
• Group home worker