AT-RISK CHILD & YOUTH CARE (CYC)

At-Risk Child and Youth Care Minor (CYC)

The child and youth care minor is a multidisciplinary program designed to provide students with knowledge and skills necessary to promote the well being of all children and adolescents. Special attention is given to vulnerable/at-risk populations within the context of the family, the community, and the life span. The minor assists students who upon graduation may work within a wide variety of settings including: early child care and education, community-based and youth development programs, parent education and family support, school based programs, community mental health, group homes, residential centers, day and residential treatment, early intervention, home-based care and treatment, psychiatric centers, rehabilitation programs, pediatric health care, and juvenile justice programs.

Students who complete the minor are expected to be able to:

Identify the role of individual and family factors associated with at-risk children
Differentiate typical from atypical human development
Apply theories, concepts and research findings to promote child well-being
Identify the purpose and structure of community and government systems in promoting
and advocating for child well-being

At-Risk Child and Youth Care Minor

(All colleges) - 21-30 credits (depending on major)

Psychology Majors – 12 credits may count in both your major and minor
Therapeutic Recreation Majors – 10 credits may count in both your major and minor
All other majors – 6 credits may count in both your major and minor if courses from the
major are included in the CYC listings.

I. Required CYC Core Courses (9 credits): CYC 210, CYC 450*, CYC 495

*Can also be satisfied by other departmental internships with a Child Youth Care component-CEI 450, CST 450, HED 495/498 (if done with pediatric population), PSY 450, REC 450, RTH 498, SOC 450 if it has a vulnerable and at-risk child/youth focus.

II. Human Development (6 credits): PSY 212 (or PSY 210 for PSY majors only); and one additional course (3

credits) in Special Populations Development (each of which have a prerequisite of PSY 212 or PSY 210): PSY

355, 356, 357

III. Family Dynamics (3 credits): CST 336, SOC 212

IV. Youth at Risk (9 credits): CYC 310; and 6 additional credits from at least two different subcategories below.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse: HED 469; PSY 426; SOC 326
Child Welfare: HED 207, 417, 422; RTH 330, 400, 401
Disabilities: ESS 231
Mental Health & Youth at Risk Behaviors: HED 345, 425; PSY 417; RTH 333; SOC 321, 324

V. Application Skills (3 credits): CST 230, 330, 354, 365 OR PSY 343 OR SOC 334, CST 380; PSY 347, 401;

REC 207; RTH 470, 474, 483

CYC 210 Cr. 3

Overview of Child and Youth Care

As the overview course in the child and youth care emphasis, the class will provide coverage of current issues in the field of child and youth intervention. Students will be exposed to some of the overlapping disciplines involved in the field, will begin to explore concepts (e.g. variables that place children and youth at risk), and begin to gain skills required to become a competent and compassionate child and youth care worker. Students will learn about advocacy, issues of program design and implementation, and systems impacting on the field of intervention with children and adolescents. Prerequisites: PSY 212 or 210; sophomore standing. Offered Fall.

CYC 310 Cr. 3

Social Policy for Children and Families

This course is designed to examine current and proposed child and family policies. Specifically, the goals of the course are to enhance students' understanding of (a) the basics of child and family development and the complex nature of childhood risk and resilience; (b) current policies and safety net programs, particularly in the areas of child protection and family strengthening, their evolution over time, and their strengths and weaknesses; (c) recent reform efforts and new directions in policy; and (d) building community connections. Prerequisites: CYC 210; PSY 210 or PSY 212. Offered occasionally.

CYC 450 Cr. 1-6

Internship in Child/Youth Care

An academically relevant field experience for students in the Child/Youth Care Emphasis. The internship must be at an approved site with substantial time devoted to work with children or adolescents at risk. The internship will be arranged through Career Services and supervised by a child/youth care emphasis affiliated faculty member. Prerequisites: junior standing; CYC 210; 2.25 cumulative grade point average. Pass/Fail grading. Repeatable for credit — maximum six. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

CYC 495 Cr. 3

Capstone in Child Youth Care

This course is designed to review and unify basic concepts regarding the care of children and youth, particularly those considered “at-risk”. Particular emphasis will be on the multi-level factors that impact the well being of children and youth, ethics and legal issues, diversity, and program assessment. A systems approach for understanding the vulnerable or at-risk youth will provide a broad framework and the course will be taught from a problem-based learning perspective. Prerequisites: junior standing; CYC 210; a minimum of 18 credits of the CYC course work completed. Offered Spring.