ALGONQUIN COLLEGE
1385 Woodroffe
Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K2G 1V8
613-727-4723
MEMO
To:
Deans, Coordinators and other responsible for Ontario Child & Youth Worker
Programs
From: Jean Sauve
Date: October 29, 2001
Subject:
2001 CAAT Child & Youth Worker Conference
As Chair of the 2001 CAAT Child & Youth Worker Conference, I am sending you the
minutes and attachments of our sessions. Please note that for the 2002 conference to be
held at the Kempenfelt Centre (Barrie) May 27, 28, and 29, Brenda Pipitone (George
Brown College) will Chair and Jane Clifton (Humber College) will co-chair.
Thank you,
Jean Sauve
Coordinator/Professor
Child and Youth Worker Program, Algoquin College
ALGONQUIN COLLEGE
1385 Woodroffe Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K2G 1V8
613-727-4723
2001 CAAT Child and Youth Worker Programs
Provincial Coordinator’s Conference Minutes
2001 CAAT CHILD & YOUTH WORKER PROGRAM
PROVINCIAL COORDINATOR’S CONFERENCE MINUTES
Monday, May 28-Wednesday May 30, 2001
1. Present List
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Joanne Cox Fanshawe College
Raymond Labreque College Boreal
Carol Stuart Ryerson Polytechnic University
Mary Anna Zelenka St. Lawrence College
Jane Clifton Humber College
Walt Goffin Niagara College
Pat Anderchek Mohawk College
Brian Law Algonquin College
Donna Serafini Algonquin College
Mary McHenry Lambton College
David Melanon Cambrian College
Bill Rowberry Lambton College
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CHAIR: Jean Sauve, Algonquin College
Regrets:
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Brenda Pipitone George Brown College
Jean Jacques Fortin Cite Collegiale
Absent:
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Centennial College
St. Clair College
Northern College
Sault College
2001 CAAT Child and Youth Worker Programs
Provincial Coordinator’s Conference Minutes
2.
Acceptance of Minutes 2000
The minutes of the 2000 Coordinator’s Conference were reviewed and accepted (Jane,
Pat passed) given the following revisions:
a) Agenda item 17: by Pat Anderchek-that Ryerson Polytechnical be included at
annual CAAT; clarification as non-voting member.
b) Agenda item 11: by Carol Stuart-that new vocational standards/revisions be
copied and distributed Tuesday, May 29, 2001
c) Agenda item 6: by Jane Clifton-point of clarification, that E.C.E. and C.Y.W.
programs at Humber College have worked together on the articulation
agreement with Guelph University to produce a blended agreement called the
Child and Youth Services Degree.
3.
Establish and Accept Agenda
(See attachement 1)
4.
Coordinator’s Reports
 The result of a coordinator’s survey were presented. (See attachment 2)
 Colleges who did not have an opportunity to participate in the survey
presented their own program profiles (see attachment 3)
5.
OARTY- Ontario Association of Residences Treating Youths-Guest Speaker
Gita Schwartz
 Gita described the provincial association which represents agencies involved
in the per diem residential care of children and youth
 The association has 76 members agencies representing 65% of potential
members.
 Member agencies provide care for over 3000 children per year.
 Member agencies commonly employ Child and Youth Workers as well as
Developmental Service Workers.
 The main focus of Gita’s presentation centered around the issue of wage
discrepancies between C.Y.W.’s in residential settings and C.Y.W.’s in other
settings i.e. CAS, School Boards.
 Gita presented a salary study (see attachment 4)
 There was some disagreement from college coordinators as to the stated salary
of new college graduates. Gita agreed to correct this information.
 Coordinators asked Gita if there waas anything that colleges could do to
support the association’s efforts to lobby the government. She suggested that
colleges write letters to the ministry.
 Gita also presented a draft of protocols to be potentially used with standards in
residential settings. C.Y.W. coordinators initially reviewed the document and
agreed to finalize protocols at the next CAAT conference and provide
OARTY with feedback (see attachment 5)
2001 CAAT Child and Youth Worker Programs
Provincial Coordinator’s Conference Minutes
Move to Action: Jean Sauve will attach reviewed draft to minutes for all provincial
C.Y.W. coordinators to peruse. Brenda Pipitone will finalize the draft at next meeting.
(Donna, Bill, passed)
6.
Common 1st Year
 Only one college program in attendance maintains a common first year
 This program indicated that the existing common first year is not the preferred
approach
 As is last year’s minutes, coordinators reiterated that a common first year is
not an effective pedagogical approach.
7.
Course Titles
(See item 10)
8.
Curriculum Content Related to Vicarious Trauma
(See item 10)
9.
Preparation of Students for the Emotion Toil of the Work
Coordinators unanimously agreed to combine items 8, 9, 10
Summary of Discussion
Suggestions to improve course content re: emotional toil of work included:
 Always associating vocational standards with course content
 Integrating comprehensive course work dealing with violence, abuse
exceptionalities
 Using the Master Student Program to help students manage their stresses.
 Using Orientation to prepare students for academic and field challenges.
 Encouraging peer support
 Inviting agency reps to speak about emotional stress in the field.
 Framing advocacy courses to include the examination of how C.Y.W.
professionals can influence change.
 Mentoring: students can find an experienced worker in the field that they can
network with
 Healing Circle: helping students discovery new prospectives
 Helping students learn how to function in a team and to understand the
dynamics that allow for support and problem solving
 Assessing boundaries: at times students may own too much of the problem
thus requiring clarification of role
2001 CAAT Child and Youth Worker Programs
Provincial Coordinator’s Conference Minutes
10.
Intensive Programs
Summary of Discussion
 Discussion centered around what various colleges are doing or are thinking of
doing for students with prior learning and experience.
 Mechanisms included fast track, use of independent studies, use of prior
learning assessment.
 Since many S.S.W. grads are in C.Y.W. fields, there is an increasing need for
additional offerings including intensive programs
 Adding more C.Y.W.’s in the field will enhance and clarify the professional
role of a C.Y.W.
 Possibility of summer programs-10 to 12 months post B.A. or post Diploma
 Potential to develop some College/University collaboration (Ryerson) for
possible C.Y.W. intensive program
 Coordinators wanted clarification as to how such an intensive program
possibly offered by Ryerson would affect college programs, i.e. integration of
practice, registration. Further discussion was deferred to next year’s
conference.
Move to Action: Brenda Pipitone will add Intensive Programs to the 2002 coordinator’s
conference agenda. (Donna, Jane, passed)
11.
Coordinator’s Role
Summary of Discussion
 Discussion centered around how coordinator’s duties are assigned.
 A wide variety of hour recognition exists across colleges for the coordinator’s
role.
 Jean Sauve would like to see more consistency through the collective
agreement.
Move to Action: All coordinators will bring their role description to the next
coordinator’s conference. (Walt, Bill, passed).
12.
Pay Rates for Part Time Field Supervisors
Summary of Discussion
 Coordinators were surveyed as to the pay rates for part-time field supervisors.
Rates ranged from approximately $25-$50 per hour.
 Most of the colleges have not increased rates for a number of years.
2001 CAAT Child and Youth Worker Programs
Provincial Coordinator’s Conference Minutes
13.
Sharing of New Courses/Ideas/Books
Summary of Discussion
 Coordinator’s shared ideas re: textbooks and made suggestions.
 Professor’s should always ask for accompanying resources including films
and power point slides
 Scholars Press will create paperback version of selected journal articles and
specific chapters from textbooks. Faculty must organize the information and
the publisher will sort out the copyrights.
 Cambrian has requested that coordinators fax or send effective mechanisms
for field placement evaluations. To be sent to Larry or Dave.
Move to Action: Coordinators will send a copy of their field placement evaluation to
Cambrian College (Joanne, Jane, passed)
14.
Employment Trends
Summary of Discussion
 Coordinators have been encouraged by C.Y.W. salary range i.e. on average
from $28,000 to $45,000.
 Variety of employment opportunities; residential, school, community basede
and private practice.
 Generally, not enough grads across the province for available jobs
 Grads in the residential sector are in high demand partly because of lower
salaries compared to school settings
 Some grads are taking advantage of OACYC private practice liability
insurance.
15. Directions of OACYC-Guest Speaker Dennis McDermott
 Dennis presented an overview of OACYC as it has developed throughout the
years.
 Membership currently at approx. 1,100 members
 Newsletter has grown; now attracts regular advertising
 Conferences are presently a focus. Recent provincial conference in London,
Ontario in May 2001 attracted close to 400 participants.
 Hiring of employees for OACYC. Dennis is executive director and is now
considering possible part-time positions.
 Some agencies require OACYC membership as hiring criteria.
 Dennis shared his concern re: lack of OACYC membership amongst C.Y.W.
faculty
 Dennis encouraged faculty to join. He distributed an OACYC brochure and
discussed different membership categories. Some faculty agreed to join.
2001 CAAT Child and Youth Worker Programs
Provincial Coordinator’s Conference Minutes
 There are approximately 8000 potential members.
 Dennis emphasized the importance of both a committee to assess individuals
for certification and an established method of assessment.
 Dennis also suggested possible collaboration between OACYC and colleges
to provide necessary course work criteria for certification of C.Y.W.’s.
 There is hope expressed by Dennis that as with other professions at some
point OACYC may be the body of accreditation for training programs.
 OACYC have pushed for training standards in schools for support staff who
work with behaviorally challenged students. The onus is on expecting a
C.Y.W. diploma.
 Coordinators asked Dennis about the College of Social Work. They voiced the
need for a similar C.Y.W. certification. At present, some C.Y.W.’s have been
accepted by the College of Social Work.
Motion: That the Colleges forward their support to the OACYC initiative in regards to
training standards for staff in school working with behaviourally challenged students.
Moved by: Donna Serafini
Seconded by: Pat Anderchek
16.
Online Learning
Summary of Discussion
 Each coordinator reviewed the current use of any online learning in their
respective programs.
 Algonquin and Mohawk Colleges are pushing online learning activities.
 Many C.Y.W. programs are using email to communicate with students who
are on campus and/or in field placements.
 Algonquin has adopted the “Blackboard” platform and the C.Y.W. program
will be developing 3 online hybrid courses by fall 2002.
 Ryerson is using WebCT in order to offer courses through distance education.
Over the past two years, bulletin boards issues related to both “ethics” and
“nature of communication” have surfaced.
 Most colleges report little or no pressure to adopt online learning.
17.
Program Web Sites
Summary of Discussion
 Algonquin and Mohawk College have set up web sites. Pat and Jean
demonstrated their respective program websites with emphasis on student,
faculty and community communication.
2001 CAAT Child and Youth Worker Programs
Provincial Coordinator’s Conference Minutes
 Jean discussed the many advantages of Program Web Sites. He invited
colleagues to visit the Algonquin C.Y.W. Web Site at:
www.algonquincollege.com/staff/sauvej
 He is currently recording 200 visitors a day.
18.
Articulation Agreements
Summary of Discussion
 Coordinators discussed the various agreements C.Y.W. programs have with
Universities
 Most programs indicated that the equivalent of a year’s University was being
granted (in some cases up to 3 years; University of Western Sidney in
Australia)
 Praise was five for the transition of C.Y.W. grads to Ryerson C.Y.W.
program.
 Other agreements with University of Victoria and University of Western
Sidney seem to be working well.
 At some institutions i.e. King College in London, 2-year and 3-year program
graduates seem to be receiving same credits.
 Next year, coordinators will discuss strategies on how students can maximize
their negotiations for advanced standing at Universities.
Move to Action: Brenda Pipitone will add “Negotiating Advance Standing” to the 2002
coordinators’ conference agenda. ( Jane, Brian, passed)
19.
Education Continuum
Summary of Discussion
 Carol identified a transition system in B.C. that helps students move form
College to University
 Carol suggested we set up a protocol for transfers from provincial colleges to
Ryerson
Move to Action: Brenda Pipitone will add “Transfer Protocol” to the 2002 coordinator’s
conference agenda. (Bill, Pat, passed)
2001 CAAT Child and Youth Worker Programs
Provincial Coordinator’s Conference Minutes
20.
Articulation Degrees
Summary of Discussion
 Bill summarized a discussion paper (1999) written by Michael Skolnik for the
College-University Consortium (see attachment 6)
 Coordinators discussed the advantages and disadvantages in pursuing applied
degree status for C.Y.W. programs.
 Jean discussed that the product we no have allows students to pursue advance
standing and is accessible to more students than an applied degree program.
 He feels that suggestions to develop two programs in the same college (one
diploma and one applied degree) would create a two tier system.
 He also mentioned that according to the proposal criteria, no program can
compete with a University Program. In our case, Ryerson is a direct
competitior.
 Bill feels that we should give applied degree application some consideration.
 Some coordinators feel that priority will be given to new “niche” areas such as
High Tech
21.
University of Guelph Initiative
Summary of Discussion
 Humber and Guelph were looking at blending programs. E.C.E. and C.Y.W.
programs agreed to explore this idea
 However, Guelph is leaning towards a Child and Youth Studies Major.
Humber C.Y.W. program has ceased negotiation because of this change.
22.
Ryerson Initiative
Summary of Discussion
 Carol identified the possible development of a new certificate program to be
offered to residential workers not currently holding any formal educational
background. This program would be offered through continuing education.
 Toronto Colleges were concerned about “territorial boundaries”
Move to Action: Brenda Pipitone will add “New Continuing Ed Program at Ryerson” to
the 2002 coordinator’s conference agenda. (Donna, Jane, passed)
23.
National Conference Info
Summary of Discussion
 Carol provided coordinators with details re: National Conference
2001 CAAT Child and Youth Worker Programs
Provincial Coordinator’s Conference Minutes
 The Conference will be held in October in Newfoundland. There is a call for
presenters and papers.
Next Year’s C.Y.W. CAATS
 May 27, 28 and 29, at Kempenfelt Conference Centre.
 Chair: Brenda Pipitone
 Co-Chair: Jane Clifton