Advanced College Diploma - Child and Youth Care (CYAS)

Child and youth care practitioners offer life-changing support to vulnerable children and youth. Students can prepare for a rewarding career helping young people by engaging with them in their everyday lives, building on their strengths, and empowering them to make positive changes. As a child and youth care practitioner, students have the opportunity to help youth find their own voice and make a profound difference in their lives. Within the program, students will:

• Participate in engaging and relevant learning experiences that prepare them for the child and youth care field. • Develop the required knowledge, a rich skill set and a strong sense of self through learning in both classroom and practicum settings. • Explore the impact of mental health issues, trauma and loss, abuse, violence and poverty on children, youth and families and learn how to provide inclusive, non-judgmental support to a diverse group.

Experts from the field share their expertise about a variety of topics such as restorative practices, youth engagement, lived experience with mental health issues, trauma-informed practice, and supporting children, youth and families in various cultural communities.

Loyalist College graduates are eligible for professional certification with the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care.