2019 Child and Youth Care Student, Trista Throndson, talking with a youth from the community. Photo taken in 2019 prior to COVID-19 health restrictions. Photo submitted
Vermilion’s Lakeland Colleges’ Child and Youth Care 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. The accreditation is effective Feb. 17, 2021 to Feb. 16, 2028.
The program teaches students to connect with at risk youth and children and learn to support them and their families. Students develop skills in building therapeutic relationships, helping children and youth who have behavioural or learning difficulties, supporting family interventions, recognizing symptoms of abuse and addiction, and building resiliency.
“We are very excited to receive program accreditation status for our child and youth care program,” says Joanne McDonald, Lakeland’s chair of human services. “Receiving accreditation from the Child and Youth Care Education Board of Canada is an acknowledgement of Lakeland’s commitment to excellence in the delivery of our program and assures our students that they are receiving the highest standard in child and youth care education. Child and Youth Care is an essential part of Lakeland’s human services department and learning to support and encourage young people in our society is critically important.”
Lakeland offers one of three accredited Child and Youth Care Diploma Programs in Alberta and one of 12 across Canada.
Offered at Lakeland since 2001, the program can be completed in person or online. It provides real world learning with four practicum placements over the duration of the diploma.
“Our practicum opportunities are a core part of the strength of our programs,” McDonald says. “Thanks to the support of the child and youth care community, our students have four opportunities to gain real world, hands on experience beyond the classroom, which help prepare them for their future careers.”
For more information about the course and other courses offered at Lakeland College, visit lakelandcollege.ca.