CANADA
Tanya Valois entered the Child and Youth Care degree program at Douglas College as the next step in her plan to get her Master's degree.
Dedicated human service workers who help people make transitions in their lives can now make transitions in their own careers and education. The Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care at Douglas College provides wider options to diploma-level graduates working in the field. "The Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care equips our students to better understand the challenges children and youth face," says degree program coordinator Ray Chapman.
The degree program accepts both recent diploma-level graduates as well as experienced workers such as Tanya Valois. Taking advantage of a flexible schedule and evening classes, the family support worker can stay on the job while completing her degree. "I am looking to move up in my work and to get a Master's degree, so this is a necessary step," says Valois, a Douglas graduate who has worked in the field of child protection since 1996.
"One of the things emphasized in the program is learning how to work with a strength-based perspective. You often work with people who've only had negative feedback for all of their lives, so when you focus on their successes it is very empowering," says Valois, who plans to transfer into a post-graduate degree program at UBC or the University of Victoria. "I also find that I am bringing what I learn in the classroom to my work, and bringing what I learn at work to the classroom."
Child and youth workers require degree-level training to have the background needed for issues such as abuse, neglect, addiction, family breakdown and behavioural or learning difficulties. The degree focuses on theory, research, program development and practical skills. Students can choose to specialize in Youth Justice or Child Welfare.
"One of the unique aspects of this degree is its flexibility and focus. Practicum experiences in each year of the program help students apply the theory and skills taught in the classroom," says Gary Tennant, Associate Dean of Child, Family and Community Studies.
Students interested in entering the field can complete the Child and Youth Care Diploma which qualifies them for work in settings such as schools, group homes, as well as community and outreach centres.
Get more information about the degree and diploma programs in Child and Youth Care at: www.douglas.bc.ca/programs/child-youth-care
13 February 2008
