Health Care & Dental Programmmes

Program Description

The child and youth worker program is designed to prepare students to provide frontline treatment service to emotionally troubled and disturbed children and youth.  Students in this program will receive specific education and skill development related to child management techniques, family support interventions, therapeutic relationships, designing treatment programs (for both individuals and groups ) and working within multi disciplinary teams.  They will specialize in supporting change with children, youth and their families experiencing a range of social, emotional and behavioural challenges and implement a range of prevention, intervention and treatment strategies for children, youth and their families including crisis intervention, conflict management, problem solving, counselling, activity programming, and group work.

This diploma program is delivered in two years and includes classroom, online and independent study as well as placement experiences.

The curriculum encourages self reflective practice in which the student will explore his or her own values, beliefs, attitudes and assumptions relating to human behaviour and relationships.  Faculty will work closely with students to support skills development and growth in communication techniques and counseling theory and practice. It is important that students possess emotional maturity and physical well being to effectively deal with the stresses of helping troubled children and adolescents find positive solutions.

 Course Outline                                   

• Communication Skills 1                                                    
• Introduction to Child and Youth Worker                      
• Exceptionalities                                                                  
• Learning Theories                                                                               
• Research Methods in Psychology                                   
• Physical and Cognitive Development 1                                         
• Social Development and Attitudes                                 
• Practicum 1 – Crisis Situations                                        
• Practicum 2 – Intervention Strategies                                            
• Practicum 3 – Assessment and Evaluation                   
• Behaviour Disorders 1 – Research and Treatment      
• Behaviour Disorders 2 – Conduct                                   
• Behaviour Disorders 3 – Emotional                                
• Counseling Theory 1                                                          
• Counseling Theory 2 & 3                                                  
• Physical and Cognitive Development 2                                         
• Counseling High Needs Children                                     
• Legal and Ethical Issues                                                   
• Child Abuse and Neglect                                                   
• Communication Skills 2                                                    
• Related Agencies and Institutions                                   
• Pharmacology                                                                                     

ClinicalWork/Practicum

The practicum or work placement portion of the programcan run concurrent with the others aspects of the course, or it may be completedat the end. It requires the student toparticipate in a supervised setting where best practice in Child and Youth Workis demonstrated, modeled and reinforced on a daily basis. Emphasis is placed on the application of theskills, professional ethics, attitudes and knowledge acquired in other areas ofthe program while dealing with children and families in real lifesituations.

Provided that it meets the requirements as established bythe Kingston Learning Centre it may be a volunteer placement position or it maybe a paid position, e.g. as an education assistant in a recognized educationsystem. Students enrolled in the programwill discuss the practicum portion with their supervisor to establish thesuitability of the placement and to arrange mutually convenient times forvisits.   

MandatoryWorkshops

In addition to the courses outlined above, the programalso consists of a series of five mandatory workshops each of which will offer acertificate upon successful completion.

In each case prior learning may be taken intoconsideration. This will be determinedon an individual basis.

Autism

The emphasis in the study of autism spectrum disorders ison learning styles and strategies used to help students maximize theirpotential. Visual, supportive andcommunication skills are integral components of the workshop.

60 hours

Non Violent Crisis Intervention

This workshop emphasizes early intervention and nonphysical strategies for the prevention and management of disruptive and violentbehavior in children and teens.

36 hours

First Aid/CPR/WHMIS

This is a “hands on” workshop designed to provideintroductory application and data in the areas of first aid, cardio pulmonaryresuscitation and workplace hazardous information systems.

18 hours

AdmissionRequirements

Grade 12 orequivalent, demonstrated English, communication and comprehensionskills.

Employment Opportunities

            *residential treatment centres

*children’s mental health centres

*group homes/youth detention centres

*educational services (Boards of Education)

*day treatment centres

*social service agencies (Family and Children’s Services)

*self-employment initiatives