Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of children, youth and young adults facing social, emotional, and behavioural challenges? If so, a career in Child and Youth Care (CYC) may be the perfect fit for you.
The CYC program at Georgian College (Georgian) offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in this rewarding field.
CYC workers foster resilience in Simcoe Country District schools
CYC workers are a critical part of the educational team at Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB). Superintendent of Student Achievement (K – 6) and Special Education Chris Samis says the SCDSB employs a wide variety of staff, including child and youth workers, as part of a multi-disciplinary team (educators and clinical staff) to support students.
“In recent years, there is an increasing recognition of the importance of mental health and well-being in education, and that many students require support, in addition to classroom instruction, to achieve success in school and life,” said Samis.
Graduates of CYC programs often find fulfilling careers within school boards, from within elementary classrooms to special education class placements. This includes supporting students impacted by trauma and/or focusing on self-regulation skills.
“Working as a child and youth worker in the SCDSB offers exciting opportunities for continued professional learning and to work as part of a team with other clinical staff such as social workers, while having a very positive impact on the education and lives of students,” explains Samis.
“Georgian’s CYC program continues to produce progressive and innovative child and youth workers with the skills to be successful in a school environment. As a board, maintaining a strong partnership with Georgian, including the CYC program, provides us with new highly skilled employees to meet the needs of students today and moving forward.
An important part of the program is the student placement, and as a board we are very supportive of CYC students at Georgian completing a field-placement at a school in the board to help future students better understand the role of a CYW in a school environment and decide if it is a good fit for them.”
The pandemic, says Samis, has had significant impact on many children and youth. “There is an understanding that many children and youth, especially the most vulnerable, have lingering effects, that impacts their mental health and well-being at school. As a board, the SCDSB continues to prioritize student well-being at all levels, including hiring staff such as CYWs to work with students to maximize their success.”
“Finally,” he adds, “in recent years there has been a growing recognition that schools are a preferred location to provide mental health and well-being support for students – and with that comes increasing employment opportunities for those wanting to work in this area – including child and youth workers.
Working as a CYW in the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) also offers the opportunity to work in an environment that aligns with the regular school day, which allows employees to maintain a work-life balance, also important in today’s employment market.”
A journey of impact and growth: insights from a Georgian CYC graduate
Roxann Whittingham graduated from Georgian’s CYC Program and is now working in the field. She says she pursued a career in CYC “because it’s in my DNA to care.”
She adds, “I spent most of my life mentoring and working with youth, so this came quite naturally to me. My background is in education, so as a trained teacher from Jamaica, transitioning to CYC was fairly easy. I still got the chance to do work with young people, only in a different manner. In my Jamaican and Canadian church homes, I also work with youth groups. I am inspired by young people because they help me to continue a path of growth.”
Whittingham credits the course material and high-level of instruction at Georgian for helping to prepare her for working as a CYC worker. “The professors were excellent and did their best to provide us with real-life scenarios/simulations to help us mentally prepare for the practical world.”
Whittingham is also proud to work as a Graduation Coach for black students at the school board. “I also branch out into other areas of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). I am, as the name suggests, firstly a coach/mentor, whereby I help students and their parents to navigate the school system and ultimately graduate successfully from high school, with adequate tools to move on to post-secondary education.”
She enjoys her career and says there are many rewarding parts of her job. But it is the end result that brings Whittingham joy. “Seeing students who really struggled with passing their courses cross the stage at graduation is at the peak of all that I do. It is quite a gratifying moment for me to hear a student come up to me, and many times their parents as well, to say thank you.”
As for next steps in her journey, Whittingham looks forward to improving her knowledge in EDI work and plans to do some educational certificate courses, with the intention of mastering her craft.
Empowering students to succeed in the child and youth care field
Whether you’re directly from high school, a mature student seeking a career change or an international student looking to make a difference here or abroad, this program welcomes all students from all backgrounds.
Child and Youth Care Program Coordinator, Howard Bloom says, “The CYC program offers an exciting career pathway for anyone eager to work with young individuals facing unique challenges in their everyday lives.”
CYC workers play important role post-pandemic
Transitioning back to in person learning has certainly not been without its challenges. CYC workers have played an integral role in ensuring that children and youth are able to thrive and feel supported in their learning environments.
Pursuing a career in CYC is extremely rewarding and can change lives. Bloom says students can complete the program in just 16 consecutive months, starting in September and finishing the following December. Part-time options are also available, and the program offers online and hybrid courses to provide flexibility to students.
Exploring diverse pathways in the CYC program
The CYC program opens doors to a wide array of career opportunities. Graduates find fulfilling work in various settings, including treatment facilities, group homes, school boards, youth addiction centres, youth justice programs, recreation and leisure organizations and hospitals, just to name a few.
Bloom says, “The versatility of the CYC field ensures that practitioners can choose a career path that aligns with their interests and passion for helping young individuals thrive.”
Real-world learning and career development within the CYC program
Field placements are critical to students’ success in the program. They gain valuable hands-on experience, which allows them to apply their learning in real-world settings, gaining practical skills and insights while working with children and youth.
As well, students have the chance to engage in applied research with the faculty team, participate in the Ashoka Changemaker curriculum, and volunteer and work on campus or in the community. Many CYC students also secure part-time positions in the field while studying, often leading to full-time employment upon graduation.
Cultivating connections that help students succeed
Prospective CYC students are encouraged to reach out to the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC). The OACYC offers professional and student memberships, along with opportunities for networking, professional development and valuable resources to support students in their future careers.
“There are so many great opportunities and well-paying jobs available to CYC practitioners in our community and abroad. Pursuing a CYC education is exciting and leads to well-paid and important work,” says Bloom.
Unleash your potential – apply today!
Embark on a rewarding career in Child and Youth Care today and choose to make a lasting impact on the lives of children, youth and young adults. Georgian’s CYC program provides the knowledge, skills and experiential opportunities necessary to excel in this exciting field!
For more information, visit Georgian’s website or contact Program Coordinator Howard Bloom: [email protected].