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The Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations is the national networking organization representing the child and youth care professions in Canada.
The Council strives to promote the association movement throughout the nation and through them promote and encourage professional development, advocacy and
networking for the membership. Member associations are represented to the Council by representatives and their members are in turn are viewed as members of
the Council. Please use the links provided to explore member association web sites, Council initiatives and information pages.
The Council strives to promote the association movement throughout the nation and through them promote and encourage professional development, advocacy and
networking for the membership. Member associations are represented to the Council by representatives and their members are in turn are viewed as members of
the Council. Please use the links provided to explore member association web sites, Council initiatives and information pages.
| Provincial Member Associations |
Newfoundland Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island New Brunswick Quebec Ontario Manitoba Alberta British Columbia
| Features |
Don Totten is a long time Child and Youth Care Counsellor at Hull Child and Family
Services in Calgary. Don has a passion for kids, Child and Youth Care, skiing, motorcycles
and old steam locomotives. Last year Don got to live out one of his childhood dreams by
working as a crew member on a cross Canada trip on a famous steam engine called The
Empress. His experience was published in the July 2005 edition of MacLean's magazine.
Pat Foran, President of the CYCAA, kindly sent Don's article along to share with the
national audience. It will be published in the association's newsletter as well. Please use
the link to read: The Empress Still Rules
Services in Calgary. Don has a passion for kids, Child and Youth Care, skiing, motorcycles
and old steam locomotives. Last year Don got to live out one of his childhood dreams by
working as a crew member on a cross Canada trip on a famous steam engine called The
Empress. His experience was published in the July 2005 edition of MacLean's magazine.
Pat Foran, President of the CYCAA, kindly sent Don's article along to share with the
national audience. It will be published in the association's newsletter as well. Please use
the link to read: The Empress Still Rules
Some coddle their plants clear through the winter.
Many are turning to thoughts of planting seedlings
aiming for the spring. These geraniums have a
historical reference being those of Lucy Made
Montgomery's Green Gables in Prince Edward
Island. Her childhood home could be anywhere in
Canada as many across the country reflect the
similar buildings of the time and the lifestyle with the
parlor, simple bedrooms and a few treasured
possessions. Planting and gardening are excellent
activities to involve youth, especially urban youth in
offering lessons in nutrition, nurturing tender living
things and working the land.
Many are turning to thoughts of planting seedlings
aiming for the spring. These geraniums have a
historical reference being those of Lucy Made
Montgomery's Green Gables in Prince Edward
Island. Her childhood home could be anywhere in
Canada as many across the country reflect the
similar buildings of the time and the lifestyle with the
parlor, simple bedrooms and a few treasured
possessions. Planting and gardening are excellent
activities to involve youth, especially urban youth in
offering lessons in nutrition, nurturing tender living
things and working the land.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| All rights reserved Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations/Garth Goodwin 1995-2010 |
If you are lucky, Dr. Lorraine E.
Fox will come into your life as
a child and youth care
professional by way of a
workshop, conference or
training session. She now
has a web site and will be
publishing more of her
articles for downloading at
drlorrainefox.com.
Fox will come into your life as
a child and youth care
professional by way of a
workshop, conference or
training session. She now
has a web site and will be
publishing more of her
articles for downloading at
drlorrainefox.com.
 |
| Lola was a Youth Care practitioner with the Crisis Stabilization Unit at Marymound in Manitoba. She had a dream to work with young people in Africa and took a year's leave and embarked upon a true journey into the unknown taking only her faith and child and youth care skills with her. Following a year back in Canada, Lola is now operating a home in Uganda for orphaned young boys. She has married and had her first child. The home has seen its first graduate with high marks. She will continue her journal on a website established to support their program. The link is provided here to allow those who have followed her journey to continue to do so and consider supporting her initiative. More |
| Portfolio |
| Features was a way to bring forward exception child and youth care related stories known or brought to the attention of the webmaster that illustrate aspects of the child and youth care experience. Submissions are welcomed. The Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites. Links will open in new window. |
Membership in the Council is confusing for some. In fact, the provincial child and youth care
associations are the members. These are listed above and may be visited through the icon links
provided. Members of provincial associations are considered members of the Council through their
associations. The Council is funded by a formula which sees five dollars for each member up to a
ceiling of 200 members contributed toward the Council. The Council board meets annually and by
teleconference throughout the year. Annual meetings always run concurrent to national conferences
and wherever possible in conjunction with a provincial conference in non-conference years. The
Council hosts the National Child and Youth Care Conference, publishes an annual newsletter (click
on links to the left) and promotes professional development sponsoring initiatives such as the Poster
Project and the Standards Initiative. The Council also sponsors the National Child and Youth Care
Award.
associations are the members. These are listed above and may be visited through the icon links
provided. Members of provincial associations are considered members of the Council through their
associations. The Council is funded by a formula which sees five dollars for each member up to a
ceiling of 200 members contributed toward the Council. The Council board meets annually and by
teleconference throughout the year. Annual meetings always run concurrent to national conferences
and wherever possible in conjunction with a provincial conference in non-conference years. The
Council hosts the National Child and Youth Care Conference, publishes an annual newsletter (click
on links to the left) and promotes professional development sponsoring initiatives such as the Poster
Project and the Standards Initiative. The Council also sponsors the National Child and Youth Care
Award.
Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations
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Click on the newsletter cover icon above to
download PDF format copy of the annual
meeting newsletter.
download PDF format copy of the annual
meeting newsletter.
| 16th National Conference Web Site now online... |
The Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care
Associations does not endorse and is not responsible for
the content of external sites. Links will open in new
window.
Associations does not endorse and is not responsible for
the content of external sites. Links will open in new
window.
In the fall of 2009, I learned of a CD launch of a former youth from my care days. She was a poet
then and has matured into a published poet now. Moreover, she formed a business to sell her
books, her CD's and her live events. I invite child and youth care professionals to explore the world
of Ingrid D Johnson through the link provided which features sound clips of her work. The venues
for that exploration are many, yet each feature elements that will be familiar to you as a child
and youth care worker. Website
then and has matured into a published poet now. Moreover, she formed a business to sell her
books, her CD's and her live events. I invite child and youth care professionals to explore the world
of Ingrid D Johnson through the link provided which features sound clips of her work. The venues
for that exploration are many, yet each feature elements that will be familiar to you as a child
and youth care worker. Website
Community: Everybody Matters, the first
provincial conference the CYCAA has
hosted since 2004 will take place at the
Grant MacEwan University Campus in
Edmonton, May 5-7, 2010. Lorraine E.Fox
will be Keynote speaker.
provincial conference the CYCAA has
hosted since 2004 will take place at the
Grant MacEwan University Campus in
Edmonton, May 5-7, 2010. Lorraine E.Fox
will be Keynote speaker.
Nominations for the National Child and Youth Care
Award are open with a deadline of April 30, 2010
All members can nominate a fellow member who
best illustrates the child and youth care profession
for others. Go to the CYC Award icon above.
Award are open with a deadline of April 30, 2010
All members can nominate a fellow member who
best illustrates the child and youth care profession
for others. Go to the CYC Award icon above.
In June of 2009 the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counsellors
celebrated a true milestone with its 50th anniversary as North America's
largest and longest running child and youth care association. The article
originally published here to recognize the event is now archived as a
feature.
celebrated a true milestone with its 50th anniversary as North America's
largest and longest running child and youth care association. The article
originally published here to recognize the event is now archived as a
feature.
2010 is a national child and youth care conference year. The 16th National - Making Connections will take place in Winnipeg at the Delta, May 26 - 28th. The
conference committee is meeting monthly now, preparing the program and pulling together the details. To assist the conference a web site that will be up-dated
as information becomes available; has been developed. Please accept this as your invitation to attend. It is also Manitoba's 140th anniversary as a province and
is celebrating with a year long homecoming event. If you are from Manitoba, have lived in Manitoba or simply been a frequent guest to the province, the conference
will be the child and youth care event for this celebration. You will leave having made connections with child and youth care professionals from across the country
and beyond and also with a sense of Manitoba itself. Click on the conference logo to view the web site. Lorraine E. Fox has been confirmed as a keynote speaker,
along with Thom Garfat and Billie Schibler.
conference committee is meeting monthly now, preparing the program and pulling together the details. To assist the conference a web site that will be up-dated
as information becomes available; has been developed. Please accept this as your invitation to attend. It is also Manitoba's 140th anniversary as a province and
is celebrating with a year long homecoming event. If you are from Manitoba, have lived in Manitoba or simply been a frequent guest to the province, the conference
will be the child and youth care event for this celebration. You will leave having made connections with child and youth care professionals from across the country
and beyond and also with a sense of Manitoba itself. Click on the conference logo to view the web site. Lorraine E. Fox has been confirmed as a keynote speaker,
along with Thom Garfat and Billie Schibler.
The Council board took a decision to revise its membership manual as more of an Orientation Manual for
prospective new members of the board. While that membership is restricted to one member from each provincial
child and youth care association, the potential of new members being assigned has increased over the recent
years. The manual also will be of interest to those who do not have a child and youth care association in their
province or territory. It acts, in part, as a guide to establishing an association. All members of member
associations are members of the Council and as such, may find the manual interesting for the roll and purpose
statement your membership helps support. Thank you for your membership and perhaps interest in becoming a
member. Your local provincial or territorial association values your membership. Click on the title page icon to
view the PDF and feel free to print and distribute it to interested peers.
prospective new members of the board. While that membership is restricted to one member from each provincial
child and youth care association, the potential of new members being assigned has increased over the recent
years. The manual also will be of interest to those who do not have a child and youth care association in their
province or territory. It acts, in part, as a guide to establishing an association. All members of member
associations are members of the Council and as such, may find the manual interesting for the roll and purpose
statement your membership helps support. Thank you for your membership and perhaps interest in becoming a
member. Your local provincial or territorial association values your membership. Click on the title page icon to
view the PDF and feel free to print and distribute it to interested peers.
| Bill 21 threatens progress of professional child and youth care status... |
The first steps in the process of adopting Bill 21 began in June
2009. For the next one and half years there will be hearings and
adjustments to the Bill in order for it to become law by
December 2010. Its aim is to permit only those who are members of
their respective professional orders or corporations to execute
certain professional “Acts”. In our sector, this law will apply to the
following professions: doctors, nurses, ergo therapists, guidance
counselors, psycho-educators, psychologists, social-workers and
family therapists. In this first reading of the law, (which happened in
June), Law makers did not consider the “Educator” as a part of the
list of professions.
The academic and practical training of the Educator provides
him/her with the skills to make clinical observation, make an
assessment and determine the appropriate strategies and
measures within the context of the intervention planning
process. Under this law the educator, who is not considered to be a
professional, would no longer be permitted to perform professional
Acts associated with intervention planning. Bill 21
also limits the Educator’s ability to make a clinical decision
concerning a client’s suicidal or violent behavior, specifically when
these behaviors would require the application of
physical restraint or isolation. Only a professional, as listed above,
would be permitted by law, to make this clinical decision. In simple
terms this means that this law diminishes
the role of the Educator. The Educator would no longer be
considered a professional but rather as an aid to the professionals
listed above, much like a nurse’s aide or a beneficiary attendant.
Batshaw Youth and Family Centre’s policies recognize Educators’
clinical skills and their ability
to carry out clinical interventions. If this bill were to pass into law in
its present form it would have major implications in Batshaw and all
other health and social services agencies across Quebec.
The Q.A.E. has joined with other Quebec Educator
associations, (Regroupement québécois des associations
professionnelles de l’éducation spécialisée) and is participating at
the hearings at the provincial level in an effort to sensitize the
government about the importance of our
profession. This issue is about the survival of the Educator’s
role as a clinician.
More information is to come in the near future. QAE Board meetings
are held every 3rd Thursday of the month and are open to all
members.
Roger Fortin, President
Quebec Association of Educators
November 2009
2009. For the next one and half years there will be hearings and
adjustments to the Bill in order for it to become law by
December 2010. Its aim is to permit only those who are members of
their respective professional orders or corporations to execute
certain professional “Acts”. In our sector, this law will apply to the
following professions: doctors, nurses, ergo therapists, guidance
counselors, psycho-educators, psychologists, social-workers and
family therapists. In this first reading of the law, (which happened in
June), Law makers did not consider the “Educator” as a part of the
list of professions.
The academic and practical training of the Educator provides
him/her with the skills to make clinical observation, make an
assessment and determine the appropriate strategies and
measures within the context of the intervention planning
process. Under this law the educator, who is not considered to be a
professional, would no longer be permitted to perform professional
Acts associated with intervention planning. Bill 21
also limits the Educator’s ability to make a clinical decision
concerning a client’s suicidal or violent behavior, specifically when
these behaviors would require the application of
physical restraint or isolation. Only a professional, as listed above,
would be permitted by law, to make this clinical decision. In simple
terms this means that this law diminishes
the role of the Educator. The Educator would no longer be
considered a professional but rather as an aid to the professionals
listed above, much like a nurse’s aide or a beneficiary attendant.
Batshaw Youth and Family Centre’s policies recognize Educators’
clinical skills and their ability
to carry out clinical interventions. If this bill were to pass into law in
its present form it would have major implications in Batshaw and all
other health and social services agencies across Quebec.
The Q.A.E. has joined with other Quebec Educator
associations, (Regroupement québécois des associations
professionnelles de l’éducation spécialisée) and is participating at
the hearings at the provincial level in an effort to sensitize the
government about the importance of our
profession. This issue is about the survival of the Educator’s
role as a clinician.
More information is to come in the near future. QAE Board meetings
are held every 3rd Thursday of the month and are open to all
members.
Roger Fortin, President
Quebec Association of Educators
November 2009
January 4, 2010
Honourable Kathleen Weil Minister of Justice
Attorney General Province de Quebec
1200, route de l'Église, 6e étage
Québec (Québec) G1V 4M1
Re: Proposed Changes to Bill 21
Dear Minister Weil:
I am writing to make you aware of the Council of Canadian Child and Youth
Care Associations (Council) stance on the review and proposed changes to
Bill 21. The Council is a National body comprised of representatives from the
Provincial and Territorial Child and Youth Care Associations. The Council has
been supporting the many Provincial Associations for the past 28 years
(formally since 1987). The goals of the Council are to promote the
development of child and youth care as a profession in Canada and ensure
the delivery of quality care. The following objectives pertain to the writing of
this letter:
The Council believes Bill 21 is an important piece of legislation in the
Province of Quebec and the inclusion of Educators is critical to its importance.
It will allow the Child and Youth Care Profession the opportunity to maintain
the high standards and credibility we have attained. This was well
demonstrated at the extremely successful 8th International Child and Youth
Care Conference held in Montreal in October of 2006.
This Bill has the ability to strengthen the helping profession in the Province of
Quebec and ensure the quality of care for the thousands of troubled young
people and their families. However, if Bill 21 is passed without the inclusion
of Educators, it would be taking an enormous step back in providing mental
health services to troubled young people and their families in the Province of
Quebec.
Government continues to support the progression of Child and Youth Work
with the development of Diploma, Degree, Masters and PhD. Programs
across Canada. These schools are training future Educators to be dynamic,
qualified members of treatment teams in a variety of settings which includes
but is not limited to mental health centres, schools, hospitals, corrections and
private practice. Our clinical contribution often takes place at any point during
the day and occurs within the clients’ daily living often resulting in ‘on the spot’
crisis prevention and intervention. Being unable to provide this type of clinical
intervention is detrimental to the well being of the client(s) as well as placing
the client, the worker and the public at great risk due to our inability to
intervene in a timely and therapeutic manner.
This is a critical moment in the state of our profession within the Province of
Quebec and has the potential to negatively influence the lives of many
Quebecors. I want to ensure that the committee understands the significance
of this decision within the field of Child and Youth Care. If you have any further
questions I can be reached at 416-491-5050 Ext. 5488.
In the name of Child and Youth Care
Sincerely,
David Connolly
President
Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations
Cc: Roger Fortin, President of the Quebec Association of Educators
Tony Maciocia, Batshaw Youth and Family Centres
Honourable Kathleen Weil Minister of Justice
Attorney General Province de Quebec
1200, route de l'Église, 6e étage
Québec (Québec) G1V 4M1
Re: Proposed Changes to Bill 21
Dear Minister Weil:
I am writing to make you aware of the Council of Canadian Child and Youth
Care Associations (Council) stance on the review and proposed changes to
Bill 21. The Council is a National body comprised of representatives from the
Provincial and Territorial Child and Youth Care Associations. The Council has
been supporting the many Provincial Associations for the past 28 years
(formally since 1987). The goals of the Council are to promote the
development of child and youth care as a profession in Canada and ensure
the delivery of quality care. The following objectives pertain to the writing of
this letter:
- To promote the development of child and youth care as a profession in
Canada. - To support and promote member associations in the development of
standards of practice. - Advocate for children and youth at a national level.
The Council believes Bill 21 is an important piece of legislation in the
Province of Quebec and the inclusion of Educators is critical to its importance.
It will allow the Child and Youth Care Profession the opportunity to maintain
the high standards and credibility we have attained. This was well
demonstrated at the extremely successful 8th International Child and Youth
Care Conference held in Montreal in October of 2006.
This Bill has the ability to strengthen the helping profession in the Province of
Quebec and ensure the quality of care for the thousands of troubled young
people and their families. However, if Bill 21 is passed without the inclusion
of Educators, it would be taking an enormous step back in providing mental
health services to troubled young people and their families in the Province of
Quebec.
Government continues to support the progression of Child and Youth Work
with the development of Diploma, Degree, Masters and PhD. Programs
across Canada. These schools are training future Educators to be dynamic,
qualified members of treatment teams in a variety of settings which includes
but is not limited to mental health centres, schools, hospitals, corrections and
private practice. Our clinical contribution often takes place at any point during
the day and occurs within the clients’ daily living often resulting in ‘on the spot’
crisis prevention and intervention. Being unable to provide this type of clinical
intervention is detrimental to the well being of the client(s) as well as placing
the client, the worker and the public at great risk due to our inability to
intervene in a timely and therapeutic manner.
This is a critical moment in the state of our profession within the Province of
Quebec and has the potential to negatively influence the lives of many
Quebecors. I want to ensure that the committee understands the significance
of this decision within the field of Child and Youth Care. If you have any further
questions I can be reached at 416-491-5050 Ext. 5488.
In the name of Child and Youth Care
Sincerely,
David Connolly
President
Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations
Cc: Roger Fortin, President of the Quebec Association of Educators
Tony Maciocia, Batshaw Youth and Family Centres
The following two letters detail, between them, a situation that has emerged in Quebec. There, the government has proposed a bill which would set back the
professional status of educators, that province’s equivalent of a child and youth care practitioner. Quebec has a history of being in the lead in establishing
educational standards and professional status for its educators in Canada.
Please take a moment out to read about the situation in Quebec on the left and the response of the President of the Council on the right.
professional status of educators, that province’s equivalent of a child and youth care practitioner. Quebec has a history of being in the lead in establishing
educational standards and professional status for its educators in Canada.
Please take a moment out to read about the situation in Quebec on the left and the response of the President of the Council on the right.
| Introducing the Orientation Manual... |
Hurricane Katrina formed over the Bahamas in August
2005. The world watched its path of destruction in disbelief.
We then watched in horror as the levee system that protected
New Orleans failed. Various organizations responded to the
desperate need for help in all aspects of life from search and
rescue to basic human needs. Here in Winnipeg, I was one of
millions watching the unfolding events and wishing there was
something I could do to help. I was in my second year of my
Child and Youth Care Diploma at Red River College. My
entire class was watching and discussing the events in New
Orleans while balancing the many classes and assignments
that are part of the course. It became the focus of conversation
on breaks and in some of our classes. It was from these
discussions that talk of how we could help developed. One of
my fellow classmates, Melissa Degroot, said that she had
seen a call for help in Louisiana on CYC-Net and that she
would go if it weren’t for school. I pointed out that we did have
a practicum block coming up in November. I emailed the
originator of the call, Frank Eckles, that night and the rest as
they say is history.
The entire class became involved in the process of
organizing how we could get there. Only 9 students were able
to go, but we couldn’t have done it without the support and
help of the classmates that stayed behind. There were a lot of
factors that had to fall into place for a New Orleans practicum
experience to fall into place. We had to raise funds, find a
placement that would provide room and board for all of us
going, our faculty created additional training for those going,
as well as a criteria for who would go. The energy and support
thrown behind the project was phenomenal. In the end, we
were in New Orleans for three weeks as practicum students at
a facility called Hope Haven. It was a life changing
experience. We had the privilege of meeting and working with
some of the most amazing people I have ever met. They
ensured that we not only had a place to eat and live but that
we had an opportunity to see and experience New Orleans.
2005. The world watched its path of destruction in disbelief.
We then watched in horror as the levee system that protected
New Orleans failed. Various organizations responded to the
desperate need for help in all aspects of life from search and
rescue to basic human needs. Here in Winnipeg, I was one of
millions watching the unfolding events and wishing there was
something I could do to help. I was in my second year of my
Child and Youth Care Diploma at Red River College. My
entire class was watching and discussing the events in New
Orleans while balancing the many classes and assignments
that are part of the course. It became the focus of conversation
on breaks and in some of our classes. It was from these
discussions that talk of how we could help developed. One of
my fellow classmates, Melissa Degroot, said that she had
seen a call for help in Louisiana on CYC-Net and that she
would go if it weren’t for school. I pointed out that we did have
a practicum block coming up in November. I emailed the
originator of the call, Frank Eckles, that night and the rest as
they say is history.
The entire class became involved in the process of
organizing how we could get there. Only 9 students were able
to go, but we couldn’t have done it without the support and
help of the classmates that stayed behind. There were a lot of
factors that had to fall into place for a New Orleans practicum
experience to fall into place. We had to raise funds, find a
placement that would provide room and board for all of us
going, our faculty created additional training for those going,
as well as a criteria for who would go. The energy and support
thrown behind the project was phenomenal. In the end, we
were in New Orleans for three weeks as practicum students at
a facility called Hope Haven. It was a life changing
experience. We had the privilege of meeting and working with
some of the most amazing people I have ever met. They
ensured that we not only had a place to eat and live but that
we had an opportunity to see and experience New Orleans.
There are no words to describe the devastation or to
express the feelings that were raised by the stories of loss
and survival that we heard. The Staff and the youth at Hope
Haven were a testament to resiliency. We may have
provided them with a fresh set of hands and a listening ear,
but they gave us as much in return. All of us came home from
the experience; better youth care practitioners and
strengthened human beings. We learned the importance of
connection and relationship building. We tested new skills
under fire. Most importantly, we learned that our profession
is essential and adaptable, and something to be proud of.
The field of youth care can come together in a crisis and
support each other as professionals. It was an important
lesson and experience for me. It became more than a
practicum experience. It became my professional dream.
On our return home, there were issues that arouse. We
had experienced something others had not and crossing
that language barrier was also a learning experience. It
remains a tool I have added to my tool belt as a youth worker
when working with youth that have experiences out of my
realm of comprehension. Classes resumed and life went on
back here in Winnipeg but I, like so many others, kept
thinking about our experiences back home. I began to
explore the possibility of creating an international
organization that would be able to do exactly what we had
done in New Orleans on a permanent basis. I began to
discuss the possibilities with people who had been involved
in the New Orleans experience. There was a positive
response to the concept. It has been a slow but steady
process. Small group discussions lead to research done by
Red River College on the volunteer experience. The results
of the research were presented at the International
Conference in 2009. It supports not only the creation of such
and agency but, and most importantly, the experience of
volunteering during a crisis. Our profession is capable of
changing the way agencies face emergencies and in how
we support the youth that we are all passionate about when
they are faced by times of crisis.
express the feelings that were raised by the stories of loss
and survival that we heard. The Staff and the youth at Hope
Haven were a testament to resiliency. We may have
provided them with a fresh set of hands and a listening ear,
but they gave us as much in return. All of us came home from
the experience; better youth care practitioners and
strengthened human beings. We learned the importance of
connection and relationship building. We tested new skills
under fire. Most importantly, we learned that our profession
is essential and adaptable, and something to be proud of.
The field of youth care can come together in a crisis and
support each other as professionals. It was an important
lesson and experience for me. It became more than a
practicum experience. It became my professional dream.
On our return home, there were issues that arouse. We
had experienced something others had not and crossing
that language barrier was also a learning experience. It
remains a tool I have added to my tool belt as a youth worker
when working with youth that have experiences out of my
realm of comprehension. Classes resumed and life went on
back here in Winnipeg but I, like so many others, kept
thinking about our experiences back home. I began to
explore the possibility of creating an international
organization that would be able to do exactly what we had
done in New Orleans on a permanent basis. I began to
discuss the possibilities with people who had been involved
in the New Orleans experience. There was a positive
response to the concept. It has been a slow but steady
process. Small group discussions lead to research done by
Red River College on the volunteer experience. The results
of the research were presented at the International
Conference in 2009. It supports not only the creation of such
and agency but, and most importantly, the experience of
volunteering during a crisis. Our profession is capable of
changing the way agencies face emergencies and in how
we support the youth that we are all passionate about when
they are faced by times of crisis.
Scroll up to continue with the next column...
| New Orleans: Implications for Youth Care |
In 2005, this web site published an appeal from Frank Eckles of the ACYCP for child and youth care practitioners to journey down to New
Orleans to work specifically with child and youth care facilities that were impacted by the hurricane. Over the years since, I have been
inviting anyone linked to the story to write about it. Jessica Lusk, president of the Child and Youth Care Workers Association of Manitoba
and co-chair of Making Connections was one of the students who went down. She agreed to share her experiences here. Jessica and the
group of students she went with were definitely innovators taking caring a full nation away and into a different culture under extreme stress.
It is an unfortunate coincidence that five years on the earthquake in Haiti may ultimately bring similar opportunities to help as that nation
heals its injured and gathers its wits to rebuild. At this time, there simply is no room for such intervention. However, a donation to a
reputable organization such as the Red Cross or the Mennonite Central Committee, among others, will do much to hasten that rebuilding.
Should the call come to volunteer for children and youth, Jessica is ready to respond.
Orleans to work specifically with child and youth care facilities that were impacted by the hurricane. Over the years since, I have been
inviting anyone linked to the story to write about it. Jessica Lusk, president of the Child and Youth Care Workers Association of Manitoba
and co-chair of Making Connections was one of the students who went down. She agreed to share her experiences here. Jessica and the
group of students she went with were definitely innovators taking caring a full nation away and into a different culture under extreme stress.
It is an unfortunate coincidence that five years on the earthquake in Haiti may ultimately bring similar opportunities to help as that nation
heals its injured and gathers its wits to rebuild. At this time, there simply is no room for such intervention. However, a donation to a
reputable organization such as the Red Cross or the Mennonite Central Committee, among others, will do much to hasten that rebuilding.
Should the call come to volunteer for children and youth, Jessica is ready to respond.
