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Program Explorer

Child and Youth Care

Support and inspire children, youth and families – helping tomorrow’s leaders grow as confident individuals.

Gain the skills and knowledge to help children and youth experiencing behavioural and emotional difficulties.

Child and youth care is a dynamic profession that takes advantage of your ability to build meaningful relationships with others. It is these relationships that help you support young people through their life challenges.

Through the Child and Youth Care program, you will build the foundational knowledge and practical experience you need to support children, youth, families and communities professionally.

In this program, you’ll build your expertise through skill-oriented courses and field practice, developing crucial skills and competencies driven by national standards. With the help of passionate instructors and mentors, you’ll develop trauma-informed, relational and anti-oppressive frameworks for helping community members grow as individuals and achieve self-motivated transformations. You’ll also build professional principles and learn to use evidence-based best practices to perform assessments and interventions that are developmentally considerate.

  • Program Type
    Full-time
  • Credential
    Diploma
  • Program Delivery
    In-person hybrid
  • In-person Location
    Notre Dame Campus
  • Intake
    Fall
  • Program Length
    2 years
  • Total Tuition / Fees for Courses
    $10,700 – $11,800
  • How to Enrol
    Application required
  • Application Type
    Direct entry
  • Work-Integrated Learning
    Gain hands-on experience with real work opportunities
  • International Program
    Open to students from around the globe

Experience a Polytechnic Education

Full-time Delivery: Something New Every Term

In this program, you’ll build practical planning, communication and counselling skills and prepare for a career by exploring various topics, including relational youth care practice, child and adolescent development, impacts of trauma, family work, counselling skills and Indigenous experiences.

TERM 1

Explore foundational topics and diverse Indigenous experiences in child and youth care while building vital communication and interpersonal skills.

TERM 2

Grow your understanding of social issues and relational approaches while building meaningful therapeutic relationships with clients during practicum.

TERM 3

Develop a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive practice and explore the effects of mental health, addictions and the justice system on youth.

TERM 4

Immerse yourself in a community-based practicum experience, develop counselling skills and explore professional practice issues in preparation for a career.

Employment Potential

Prepare yourself for career success

Potential Grad CAREERS

  • Youth care practitioner
  • Crisis worker
  • Family facilitator
  • Youth drug stabilization worker
  • Program support worker
  • Independent living support worker
  • Youth crime prevention facilitator
  • Community corrections worker
  • Youth activity worker
  • Educational assistant behavioural support
  • Youth outreach and street reach
  • Managed care counsellor
  • Youth drop-in program worker
  • Juvenile corrections counsellor
  • Family support worker
  • Peer support worker
  • Adolescent treatment worker
  • Reunification support worker
  • Family enhancement worker
  • Home-based crisis intervention worker

Affiliations and Accreditations

What to Expect in This Program

Get Prepared for the Future of Work

Excel with practical learning and experienced instructors, all focused on your success. With an employer-driven education, you won’t just be ready for a career – you’ll be prepared to stay in front of what’s ahead.

Girl crouched down and holding a cigarette in her hand
Develop the professional skills you need to walk alongside youth and support them at any point in their journey.
Two students talking to one another in a classroom
Be there to help – anytime and anywhere – with in-the-moment life space interventions.
Students taking a selfie at a pride parade
Explore your role in advocacy and allyship. Learn to create accessible resources and partner with local programs to support youth and families.
Students sitting in a circle in a classroom
Learn to lead group work and counselling sessions through applied learning experiences and real co-op work opportunities.
People cooking in a kitchen
Foster independence and teach essential life skills through your mentorship and expert knowledge.
Two women hugging each other
Make an impact on the lives of others – helping individuals, families and communities through relationship building and communication.
Graffiti artist spray painting a building
Build the community connections and industry experience you need to establish vital partnerships and drive social change.
Dancer at a graduation Pow Wow
Learn to incorporate the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action and support the experiences of Indigenous children, youth and families.
Troubled youth in a hoodie with his head in his hands in a grungy part of town
Gain the in-depth knowledge and experience to support change, recovery and self-motivated transformation.
Girl looking at herself in a broken mirror
Learn to provide meaningful, client-focused support through trauma-informed care.

Graduate Success

Child and Youth Care graduates are making a difference in the lives of youth, families and community members. As a grad, you’ll join a thriving network of alumni working in treatment homes, mental health and justice facilities, schools and community-based programs.

The statistics below represent the opinions and employment statuses of this program’s recent grads. They were retrieved from the 2019-2020 RRC Polytech Graduate Satisfaction and Employment Report.

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100% – RECOMMEND PROGRAM TO OTHERS

RRC Polytech programs are developed in consultation with industry leaders, organizations and employers to ensure the skills you learn are practical, up-to-date and fulfill community needs. As you develop your expertise, student services are ready to support your growth and help you reach your career goals.

100% – SATISFIED WITH RRC POLYTECH EDUCATION

RRC Polytech’s Child and Youth Care program combines in-depth classroom instruction with practical co-op opportunities that meet national standards. Through these applied-learning experiences, you’ll graduate with the confidence you need to start your career and continue your lifelong learning journey.

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Instructor and children in a classroom

100% – NEW GRADS HIRED

Our graduates build rewarding careers working with critical community organizations and non-profit agencies. As an RRC Polytech student, you’ll have the knowledge, practical work experience and industry connections you need to lead, succeed and grow while making a difference in your community.

“For me, it’s about relationships. I truly believe that in order to have an impact on a child, you’re not just involved in their lives for a short time – you’re make an investment forever.”

Jackie Anderson
Photo of Leilani Esteban

“Working with sexually exploited youth through the program taught me how to build relationships and listen. That’s the most important thing about community. When you learn to do that, you can do anything.”

Leilani Esteban
Photo of Rebecca Begg

“I have no illusions that I’m going to save these kids or be their only positive influence. I’m just there to plant the seed — to help them make the changes they need and walk with them in their journey.”

Rebecca Begg
Photo of Jessica Saunders

“I like that the kids are getting a second chance and can learn to deal with things differently. You feel really good when you leave and have made a change in someone’s life.”

Jessica Saunders

Who Should Enrol?

Turn your talents into academic success

As a Child and Youth Care student, you are highly motivated, insightful and self-aware. You understand the importance of cultural understanding and human diversity and are committed to making a difference in the lives of youth and families. As a successful professional, you want to develop your knowledge of applied human development, communication, relationships and support methods.

Students that excel in this program often share these interests, skills and personality traits.

PERSONALITY TRAITS

  • Adaptable
  • Community-oriented
  • Critical thinker
  • Empathetic
  • Ethical

SKILLS

  • Communication
  • Conflict resolution
  • Listening
  • Positive attitude
  • Reliability

INTERESTS

  • Youth
  • Family support
  • Counselling
  • Behaviour management
  • Community
  • Trauma
  • Diversity
  • Addictions
  • Mental health
  • Youth criminal justice

All the Information You Need

MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION

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ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ensure signup goes smoothly and understand program requirements before registering. Review required documents and procedures to make sure you’re prepared to enter this program.

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LOCATION, DATES AND FEES

Start planning with peace of mind and get the information you need on one easy-to-find page. Review start dates, locations, book and equipment costs and program fees.

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SCHOLARSHIPS

Celebrate and motivate your learning. Whether you’ve sprinted through the first term or just received your acceptance letter, find a variety of bursaries, scholarships and awards.

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OTHER INFORMATION

Explore our Catalogue for more detailed information, including a program outline, course descriptions and everything you’ll need to plan and prepare for your future success.

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DATES AND FEES

Start preparing with peace of mind. View information about courses and sections, including locations, delivery methods and costs. It only takes minutes to register and further your future.

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LIST OF COURSES

Plan out your preferred learning journey. Review a summary of this program’s courses to discover what you’ll learn and how an RRC Polytech education will help your career.

Woman sitting in computer lab

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Ensure signup goes smoothly and understand program requirements before registering. Review required documents and procedures to make sure you’re prepared to enter this program.

Person browsing the RRC Polytech website

OTHER INFORMATION

Explore our Catalogue for more detailed information, including a program outline, course descriptions and everything you’ll need to plan and prepare for your future success.

Begin Your Journey

Get Started with RRC Polytech

Start Your Application

Your future is within reach, and we’re here to help you achieve it. Experience industry-focused opportunities available at RRC Polytech and develop the knowledge and skills to grow, lead and excel in your future career.

Funding Your Education

Support yourself while pursuing your RRC Polytech education. You may be eligible for loans, grants and scholarships to help tackle your financial needs.

Future Student Events

Explore our upcoming information sessions and events to learn more about our programs and to get your questions answered.

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dené, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.

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