Child And Youth Care Worker
Community Studies
The Child and Youth Care Worker program prepares you for a meaningful career helping at-risk youth and their families overcome complex issues.
Through courses in counselling, case management, child welfare, intervention, and program development, you will learn how to identify clients’ needs and develop strategies to support them and their families.
Your on-the-job training will take place in a child and youth care facility, in an educational setting, a justice of mental health facility, or in an addictions services facility, giving you the opportunity to apply what you have learned.
This program is located in the Charlottetown Centre at the Prince of Wales Campus. Take a virtual tour.
September 2026
Prince of Wales Campus
Program Length
2 years
Credential
Diploma, Child and Youth Care Worker
Canadian Tuition
International Tuition
Canadian Applicants
Waiting list
International Applicants with a Valid Study Permit
Waiting list
Other International Applicants
Waiting list
Notes:
This program has degree pathways, giving you the opportunity to receive credit for your Holland College diploma when you continue your education. For a complete list of agreements, visit the Degree Pathways page.
| Partner Institution | Credential | Details of Agreement |
|---|---|---|
| University of Prince Edward Island | Bachelor of Arts | Graduates with a 70% average receive up to 60 hours of credit toward a Bachelor of Arts degree. |
SAFE-1005
An overview of the Occupational Health and Safety Act...
0
COUN-1100
An introduction to the core elements of a helping~relationship and the corresponding strategies~used to develop such a relationship. A variety~of skills used in the counselling process are~examined. A central theme presented throughout~this course is the necessity for students to~develop an ongoing commitment to self-awareness~as a vital part of their counselling framework.
3.00
COUN-1200
Students examine the action, evaluation and~termination components of the counselling~process. The importance of effective~communication in dealing with crisis-oriented and~challenging situations, as well as, communication~roadblocks are explored. A variety of the core~couselling skills are demonstrated. A central~theme presented throughout this course is the~necessity for students to develop an ongoing~commitment to self-awareness as a vital part of~their counselling framework.
3.00
CYCW-1035
A broad introduction to the multi-contextual field~of child and youth care: child welfare,~educational, justice, health and community.~Students explore the varied resources available to~children and families as well as the employment~options for a child and youth care worker.
3.00
CYCW-1200
An examination of basic family systems theory. ~Students are introduced to contemporary issues~involving families across the lifespan.
3.00
CYCW-1205
An introduction to the process and components of~case management. Students are exposed to the~creation of case plans using assessment tools in~the development, revision, and conclusion of the~plan. Students explore the role of a case worker~and involvement in a multi-disciplinary team.
3.00
CYCW-1230
A comprehensive overview of the primary categories~of child maltreatment. Students examine the~complex interplay between the parent, child,~environment, and society. Identification of the~physical, emotional, and behavioral indicators of~abuse, casework implications, and the process of~treatment for the child victim, the child's~family, and their abuser are examined. Long-term~behavioral outcomes and styles of coping often~exhibited by abuse survivors are explored.
3.00
CYCW-1280
An exploration of the limits to traditional~behaviorist approaches to relational practice,~contrasting with Trauma Informed methodologies.~Students outline, practice and implement how to~effectively engage and intervene with clients~through self-exploration and experiential learning~using a relational practice approach.
3.00
CYCW-1300
An exploration of the various types of adversity~that families can face and the impact that~families have on the individuals and the family~system. Students examine the conceptual~frameworks used to assess family systems and use a~strength based approach to working with families.
3.00
CYCW-2100
Students are introduced to the world of child~welfare from a historical, clinical, and~legislative perspective. Students explore the~core themes of attachment, separation, grief, and~placement that impact children and their families~when they become immersed in the foster care~system and beyond. Effective interventions and~treatment approaches are examined as well as the~roles and responsibilities of the legal and~community agencies involved in case planning. The~continuum of care for out of home placements is~studied and beneficial strategies are noted that~meet the child's attachment and relationship~needs.
3.00
CYCW-2110
In an independent and group format, students will~be presented with several opportunities to~explore their identity as a CYC practitioner. ~Using insight gained from personal reflection and~previous courses, students will discuss, analyze,~and consolidate experiences with a view to~critiquing their learning journey and considering~opportunities for future growth. ~~
2.00
CYCW-2120
A familiarization with a competency-based~philosophy and approach to assessing and~intervening with children in a variety of~settings. Students explore developing and~implementing behavior management strategies and~examine environmental design issues and the~importance of daily living activities as seen~within the context of the therapeutic milieu.
3.00
CYCW-2130
Reflect on the current issues in the field of~substance use, as pertaining to the role of a~Child and Youth Care professional. Develop a~framework for understanding the fundamental~concepts of substance use and examine a number of~key domains in the field, including terminology,~theories, psychoactive substances, stigma,~treatment options and prevention strategies.
3.00
CYCW-2140
Students gain practical training in group design~and facilitation. Students create, organize,~facilitate and reflect on psychoeducational~groupwork with children. This course builds on~previous courses, and provides students with~valuable experience in developing leadership~skills, behavior management strategies, and~programming skills.
5.00
EDUC-1200
An exploration of the complexities of the group~work process both in community based and~residential settings. Students discuss the role~of group work as an effective treatment modality~for children. Students examine the patterns of~group dynamic structure in residential groups,~including recognition of typical group roles of~residents, problematic group behavior, appropriate~staff interventions, and recording group behavior.
3.00
EDUC-1210
An introduction to the importance of therapeutic~programming for children in a variety of settings.~Students are provided with a conceptual framework~and the necessary skills to develop programs that~can be used in the attainment of leisure,~educational, and therapeutic goals with children.
3.00
HLTH-1000
Exploration of personal wellness. Students~examine the sources and effects of stress. ~Strategies to maintain wellness and support~personal growth are investigated, with students~identifying strategies that are most beneficial~to them.
2.00
NCPR-1000
Students attend a food service safety course~featuring a presentation on safe food~preparation, how food poisoning happens, and how~it can be prevented. Students will learn how to~prevent food preparation mistakes that lead to~disease outbreaks and possible damage to~operator reputation. Students gain confidence~that food handling practices are in keeping with~recommended practices.
0.00
NCPR-1006
Students attain skills on how to prevent a~potential crisis from occuring and how to~intervene in a crisis situation. Students are~introduced to and practice physical skills to use~when managing disruptive behaviours.
0.00
NCPR-1009
The ASIST model teaches effective intervention~skills while helping to build suicide prevention~networks in the community. Students learn to~intervene and help prevent the immediate risk of~suicide.
0.00
PRAC-1100
Students engage in observing, questioning, and~participating in daily activities and programs~conducted at a facility. Students are encouraged~to interact with children and staff whenever and~wherever feasible in order to gain a realistic~overview of the operational and situational~demands of the child care setting. The practicum~is critical for students' experiential learning~as it helps to confirm their desire to embark on~a career in the child and youth care field. It~also serves as a clinical reference point for the~theoretical components of the Child and Youth~Care Worker program.
1.00
PRAC-1325
Students will increase their experience with and~exposure to the daily activities and programs~conducted in a child care setting. Students are~encouraged to regularly interact with children and~staff in order to begin practising some of the~skills and strategies learned during previous~classes, both individually and collectively.
3.00
PRAC-2205
Student's suitability and readiness to meet the~challenges of the child and youth care field is~affirmed. Students are given the opportunity to~demonstrate their professional skills, attitudes~and abilities to work both independently and~collectively in a child care setting.
15.00
PSYC-1100
Students examine the normal range of child and~adolescent development including physical,~emotional, social, and intellectual. The~influence of family, school, and community upon~the identity of the child is explored through~prominent developmental theories. Strong~emphasis is placed on the issues of attachment~and bonding, the long term implications for~healthy functioning, and the situations that can~alter healthy development.
3.00
PSYC-2100
Students examine a wide range of behavioral,~psychological, and social problems experienced by~children including treatment approaches currently~endorsed to address these mental health issues. ~Causes and prevalence of the most common~disorders experienced by children and assessments~and diagnostic methods used in the mental health~field will be discussed.
4.00
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
The Holland College Child and Youth Care Worker Diploma program has earned accreditation from the Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada as a provider of quality post-secondary education in the field of Child and Youth Care, effective February 28, 2025, tthrough February 27, 2032.
The instructors in this program are outstanding. They work hard to create and maintain strong relationships with everyone in the program and work hard to make sure we are all getting the best they can give to us. The amount of care and dedication they have for the program and the individuals in it is really what makes this difficult program so amazing.
Graduating Student Survey Respondent, Class of 2024
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