Stories from the In-Between: Relational Practice Teaching Tales
The idea is simple …
A volume of stories from which some insights / ideas might be derived, like the stories we tell each other when we talk about our work.
It might be a story about an interaction with a young person, a story about supervision or teaching, a story about interactions with or between young people, or between colleagues or about engagements with families. The only requirement is that it be a story about, and from, the field of child and youth care or relational practice. This new title will be published by the CYC-Net Press and edited by Thom Garfat and Heather Modlin and will be released in the second quarter of 2026.
We invite you to submit a story for this volume. The details are as follows ...
Submissions may be written in first-person narrative. This is not intended as an academic volume, so references are not necessary (although welcome when appropriate). This will be a story, not a lecture about the story.
Submissions should be no longer than 2500 words.
It might emphasize one, or some, of the 25 characteristics of Relational CYC Practice (see here), or any other aspect of relational practice.
It will begin with an introduction to the story – e.g., what is about or what’s in this story, or why this story. A paragraph for this will be lots.
This is followed by the story itself – a story, not a lecture about the story.
After the story ends, a paragraph will be included about what you hope might be learned from / inspired by the story.
Finish with 3 questions for reflection to promote discussion arising from the story.
We welcome stories from everyone and from anywhere, as long as they are about some aspect of relational practice and / or Child & Youth Care practice.
Here are some examples of stories to give you an idea of what we are thinking of: Story 1, Story 2, Story 3.
We require a final draft of your story by February 28th, 2026.
If you are interested in submitting your story, or have any questions, please let us know here.
We hope you will join us in this exciting adventure.
CYC-Online, December 2025 (No. 322)
Editorial Comment: The Power of Collegial
Connection
Martin Stabrey
Some Thoughts on Making Moments
Meaningful
Thom Garfat
Moving into the Second Quarter of the
21st Century
Kiaras Gharabaghi
An Interview with an Accidental CYC
Workforce Champion
Frank Eckles: the Right Person, in the Right
Place(s), at the Right Time(s)
Dale Curry
Tolerance of Challenging Behavior: Fritz
Redl’s Teachings and Influence
Michael Marlowe
Promoting Appropriate and Quality
Alternative Care Options for Children and Youth
FICE
International
The Nostalgic Imaginary of the Nuclear
Family in CYC Work
Hans Skott-Myhre
The Unintended Consequences of Quick
Fixes in Kids: How a nation's turn to pills is reshaping childhood
mental health
Sam Goldstein
Postcard from Leon Fulcher from New Zealand
Silent Auction at the 2026 World Conference!
Support CYC-Net and its mission to provide open-access learning resources for those working with children and youth in care.
How it works
Browse
donated items throughout the conference, place your bids, and check
back often—highest bid at closing wins! No auctioneer, bid at your
own pace.
Where & When
In person at
the 2026 World Conference, St. John’s, NL
June 23–26, 2026
We’re accepting Auction items!
Easy-to-transport items such as local artwork, cultural items,
books, trainings, clothing, or youth creations—really, almost
anything! Physical items must be present at the conference.
To donate, email: cycworldconference2026@cycanl.ca Please include a short description, approximate value, and a photo of your item.
Thank you for supporting CYC-Net!
