Child and Youth Care Program (C133)
Apply Now:
Domestic StudentsProgram Description
Leadership Claims
This Child and Youth Care program has earned national accreditation, becoming the first of its kind in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area and the third in Canada to do so.
Program Overview
The Child and Youth Care program teaches students the necessary skills to work effectively with children, youth and families who are experiencing social, emotional, developmental and behavioural challenges. The program integrates a holistic approach embedding an ecological perspective and principles of human rights, anti-oppressive practice, resiliency and restorative practice.
Full Description
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the planned delivery of this course starting in September 2020 will be online with limited access to field placement experiences.
PLEASE NOTE: In response to this evolving situation, the delivery, learning activities and evaluation methods may be further modified mid-semester.
Learners will require access to high-speed internet, a computer with a built-in or external web camera, a microphone and Google Chrome or Firefox as a web browser.
George Brown College's Child and Youth Care program combines best practice principles and a relational approach that is anchored in the values of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care Code of Ethics.
Students learn to engage purposefully and effectively with children, adolescents and families who struggle with emotional, behavioural and developmental challenges that impair their abilities to relate to others.
Specific focus is on recognizing the impact of mental health challenges on children and youth.
Students learn to translate theory into practice to move youth from potential risk to resilience.
Your Field Education Options
Field placement plays an important role in the Child and Youth Care program.
The first year provides students with an opportunity to develop a solid foundation of skills to build upon. The subsequent academic courses come to life in a wide range of supervised field placements in the second and third years of the program.
Second-year students can expect to be in placement two days a week and third-year students can expect to be in placement three days a week over 28 weeks (includes both the Fall and Winter Semester).
These placements may take place in professional settings such as:
- residential care
- hospitals
- shelters
- schools
- community outreach programs
- day treatment
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Your Career
Child and Youth Care graduates have found employment in:
- treatment centres
- group homes/residential placements
- hospitals
- schools
- community-based treatment programs
- shelters
Courses
Required Courses
SEMESTER 1
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS1004 | Introduction to Child and Youth Care |
| CYCS1055 | Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppressive Practices |
| GHUM1035 | Indigenous Studies |
| COMM1007 | College English |
| GNED | General Education Elective |
SEMESTER 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS1015 | Field Preparation Seminar |
| CYCS1022 | Therapeutic Activities |
| CYCS1054 | Interpersonal Communication |
| CYCS1056 | Legislation & Social Issues |
| CYCS1057 | Child & Adolescent Development |
SEMESTER 3
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS1049 | Counselling Children & Youth |
| CYCS2046 | Field Work Seminar I |
| CYCS2031 | Professional Writing in CYC |
| CYCS2045 | Field Practice I |
SEMESTER 4
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS2026 | Trauma Informed Approaches |
| CYCS2046 | Field Work Seminar I |
| CYCS2045 | Field Practice I |
| CYCS2040 | Human Sexuality |
| CYCS2041 | Group Work in CYC Practice |
SEMESTER 5
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS3023 | Field Practice II |
| CYCS3024 | Field Work Seminar II |
| CYCS3020 | Community Based Practices |
| CYCS3021 | Mental Health I |
| GSSC1138 | Introductory to Sociology |
| BST2003 | Crisis Prevention & Intervention |
SEMESTER 6
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS3023 | Field Practice II |
| CYCS3024 | Field Work Seminar II |
| CYCS3016 | Working With Families |
| CYCS3022 | Mental Health II |
| GNED | General Education Elective |
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Develop and maintain relationships with children, youth and their families applying principles of relational practice and respecting their unique life space, cultural and human diversity.
- Assess and respond to the strengths and needs of children and youth, including complex responses impacted by developmental, environmental, physical, emotional, social and mental health challenges in order to promote positive change.
- Analyze and evaluate the impact of the inter-relationship among family, social service, justice and community systems on children, youth and their families and use this information in the planning of holistic care and in the reduction of systemic barriers.
- Plan, implement and evaluate interventions using evidence‐informed practices in the areas of therapeutic milieu and programming, and group work to promote resiliency and to enhance development in children, youth and their families.
- Advocate for the rights of children, youth and their families and maintain an anti-oppression perspective and cultural competence in diverse cultural contexts.
- Apply communication, teamwork and organizational skills within the interprofessional team and with community partners to enhance the quality of service in child and youth care practice.
- Develop and implement self-care strategies using self-inquiry and reflection processes to promote self-awareness and to enhance practice as a child and youth care practitioner.
- Use evidence-based research, professional development resources and supervision models to support professional growth and lifelong learning.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2019. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2020 and at later dates.
International students: Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, including the required courses, and any other selection criteria outlined below.
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent**
- Grade 12 English (C or U) - Minimum grade of 65% required.
- Volunteer experience with children and youth is highly recommended.
** Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and no OSSD)
Mature Students may take the Admissions Assessment for English, OR may consider upgrading to achieve the credit(s) needed in English.
Please note that George Brown is committed to ensuring that applicants will succeed in their program of choice and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants may be required to have grades higher than the minimum requirements stated.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit georgebrown.ca/transferguide for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
Special Requirements
Clinical Pre-placement health form requirements and program policy
- Upon confirmation of acceptance into this program, students must meet and complete all the mandatory Requisite health form requirements for this program. This will take up to 10 to 12 weeks to complete.
- Students will need to process and provide proof of their medical recordssuch as (MMR, Varicella, Hep B blood test reports/titers, Tdap shot valid every 10 years and Two Step TB Skin Test), a clear police vulnerable sector check renewed every year,Standard First Aid certificate renewed every three years and CPR level C renewed every year. This requirements must be submitted by the given deadline to ParaMed.
- Students who do not comply with the program’s health policy and requirements will not be eligible to attend and are excluded from the field practicum which may jeopardize their academic standing and unable to graduate in this program.
- All costs, service fees and fines associated with the overall health requirements are the responsibility of the student.
- To download the mandatory Requisite health form and for more details, go to the Pre-placement website atwww.georgebrown.ca/preplacement/social-and-community-services.aspx
Police Vulnerable Sector Check requirements and program policy (renew every year)
- In compliance with the requirements of our placement partners, all students in this program are required to have a police vulnerable sector check completed, and this check must be renewed annually before entering into field or clinical placement.
- The police vulnerable sector check process typically takes two to three months, but under some circumstances can take four to eight months. This is required to protect the clientele of our placement partner agencies, who are considered “vulnerable persons” under the law.
- Students are responsible for ensuring that the police vulnerable sector check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).”
- Students are required to keep the original copy of their police vulnerable sector check.
- Students who are unable to provide a “clear” police vulnerable sector check may not be able to start their field or clinical placement and therefore may be unable to complete the program. Students who are not eligible to attend their practice placement due to a “not clear” status will jeopardize their progress in the program. Our agency partners have the final decision for students being allowed to practice in their agency.
- Failure to meet the requirements for field placement will prevent students from completing the program and/or securing employment.
- The fees for the police record check vary and must be paid by the student. For more information, please visit the Pre-placement website at /preplacement/record_check/
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Social & Community Services
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2185
Email: communityservices@georgebrown.ca
Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Child & Youth Care Program Co-ordinators
Judy Masters: 416-415-5000, ext. 3708, jmasters@georgebrown.ca
Zalina Mohamad: 416-415-5000, ext. 3034, zalina.mohamad@georgebrown.ca
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
Child and Youth Care Program (C133)
Apply Now:
Domestic StudentsProgram Description
Leadership Claims
This Child and Youth Care program has earned national accreditation, becoming the first of its kind in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area and the third in Canada to do so.
Program Overview
The Child and Youth Care program teaches students the necessary skills to work effectively with children, youth and families who are experiencing social, emotional, developmental and behavioural challenges. The program integrates a holistic approach embedding an ecological perspective and principles of human rights, resiliency and restorative practice.
Full Description
George Brown College's Child and Youth Care program combines best practice principles and a relational approach that is anchored in the values of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care Code of Ethics.
Students learn to engage purposefully and effectively with children, adolescents and families who struggle with emotional, behavioural and developmental challenges that impair their abilities to relate to others.
Specific focus is on recognizing the impact of mental health challenges on children and youth.
Students learn to translate theory into practice to move youth from potential risk to resilience.
Your Field Education Options
Field placement plays an important role in this program. Second-year students can expect to be in placement two days a week for a total of 448 hours, and third-year students can expect to be in placement three days a week over 28 weeks (includes both semesters one and two) for a total of 672 hours.
The first year provides students with an opportunity to develop a solid foundation of skills to build upon. The subsequent academic courses come to life in a wide range of supervised field placements in the second and third years of the program.
These placements may take place in professional settings such as:
- residential care
- hospitals
- shelters
- schools
- community outreach programs
- day treatment
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Your Career
Child and Youth Care graduates have found employment in:
- treatment centres
- group homes/residential placements
- hospitals
- schools
- community-based treatment programs
- shelters
Courses
Required Courses
SEMESTER 1
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS1004 | Introduction to Child and Youth Care |
| CYCS1055 | Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppressive Practices |
| GSSC1105 | Introduction to Psychology |
| COMM1007 | College English |
| GNED | General Education Elective |
SEMESTER 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS1015 | Field Preparation Seminar |
| CYCS1022 | Therapeutic Activities |
| CYCS1054 | Interpersonal Communication |
| CYCS1056 | Legislation & Social Issues |
| CYCS1057 | Child & Adolescent Development |
SEMESTER 3
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS1049 | Counselling Children & Youth |
| CYCS2045 | Field Work Seminar I |
| CYCS2031 | Professional Writing in CYC |
| CYCS2046 | Field Practice I |
SEMESTER 4
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS2026 | Trauma Informed Approaches |
| CYCS2045 | Field Work Seminar I |
| CYCS2046 | Field Practice I |
| CYCS2040 | Human Sexuality |
| CYCS2041 | Group Work in CYC Practice |
SEMESTER 5
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS3023 | Field Practice II |
| CYCS3024 | Field Work Seminar II |
| CYCS3020 | Community Based Practices |
| CYCS3021 | Mental Health I |
| GSSC1138 | Introductory Sociology |
| BST2003 | Crisis Prevention & Intervention |
SEMESTER 6
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| CYCS3023 | Field Practice II |
| CYCS3024 | Field Work Seminar II |
| CYCS3016 | Working With Families |
| CYCS3022 | Mental Health II |
| GNED | General Education Elective |
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Develop and maintain relationships with children, youth and their families applying principles of relational practice and respecting their unique life space, cultural and human diversity.
- Assess and respond to the strengths and needs of children and youth, including complex responses impacted by developmental, environmental, physical, emotional, social and mental health challenges in order to promote positive change.
- Analyze and evaluate the impact of the inter-relationship among family, social service, justice and community systems on children, youth and their families and use this information in the planning of holistic care and in the reduction of systemic barriers.
- Plan, implement and evaluate interventions using evidence‐informed practices in the areas of therapeutic milieu and programming, and group work to promote resiliency and to enhance development in children, youth and their families.
- Advocate for the rights of children, youth and their families and maintain an anti-oppression perspective and cultural competence in diverse cultural contexts.
- Apply communication, teamwork and organizational skills within the interprofessional team and with community partners to enhance the quality of service in child and youth care practice.
- Develop and implement self-care strategies using self-inquiry and reflection processes to promote self-awareness and to enhance practice as a child and youth care practitioner.
- Use evidence-based research, professional development resources and supervision models to support professional growth and lifelong learning.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2018. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2019 and at later dates.
International students: Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, including the required courses, and any other selection criteria outlined below.
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent**
- Grade 12 English (C or U) - Minimum grade of 65% required.
- Volunteer experience with children and youth is highly recommended.
** Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and no OSSD)
Mature Students may take the Admissions Assessment for English, OR may consider upgrading to achieve the credit(s) needed in English.
Please note that George Brown is committed to ensuring that applicants will succeed in their program of choice and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants may be required to have grades higher than the minimum requirements stated.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit georgebrown.ca/transferguide for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
Special Requirements
Clinical Pre-placement health form requirements and program policy
- Upon confirmation of acceptance into this program, students must meet and complete all the mandatory Requisite health form requirements for this program. This will take up to 10 to 12 weeks to complete.
- Students will need to process and provide proof of theirmedical recordssuch as (MMR, Varicella, Hep B blood test reports/titers, Tdap shot valid every 10 years and Two Step TB Skin Test), a clearpolice vulnerable sector checkrenewed every year,Standard First Aid certificaterenewed every three years and CPR level Crenewed every year. This requirements must be submitted by the given deadline toParaMed.
- Students who do not comply with the program’s health policy and requirements will not be eligible to attend and are excluded from the field practicum which may jeopardize their academic standing and unable to graduate in this program.
- All costs, service fees and fines associated with the overall health requirements are the responsibility of the student.
- To download the mandatory Requisite health form and for more details, go to the Pre-placement website atwww.georgebrown.ca/preplacement/social-and-community-services.aspx
Police Vulnerable Sector Check requirements and program policy (renew every year)
- In compliance with the requirements of our placement partners, all students in this program are required to have apolice vulnerable sector checkcompleted, and this check must be renewed annually before entering into field or clinical placement.
- The police vulnerable sector check process typically takes two to three months, but under some circumstances can take four to eight months. This is required to protect the clientele of our placement partner agencies, who are considered “vulnerable persons” under the law.
- Students are responsible for ensuring that the police vulnerable sector check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).”
- Students are required to keep the original copy of their police vulnerable sector check.
- Students who are unable to provide a “clear” police vulnerable sector check may not be able to start their field or clinical placement and therefore may be unable to complete the program. Students who are not eligible to attend their practice placement due to a “not clear” status will jeopardize their progress in the program. Our agency partners have the final decision for students being allowed to practice in their agency.
- Failure to meet the requirements for field placement will prevent students from completing the program and/or securing employment.
- The fees for the police record check vary and must be paid by the student. For more information, please visit the Pre-placement website at/preplacement/record_check/
How to Apply
Apply To
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Social & Community Services
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2185
Email: communityservices@georgebrown.ca
Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Child & Youth Care Program Co-ordinators
Judy Masters, Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 3708, Email: jmasters@georgebrown.ca
Zalina Mohamad, Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 3034, Email: Zalina.Mohamad@georgebrown.ca
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
