The National Conference in October 2004 attracted yet
another respectable delegation from the province and
the association continuing a long tradition initiated by
the first President of the Council, Deb Bomek. The
clutch of folks who attend from Manitoba usually perk
up the proceedings in some way.
Jean Robson was the recipient of the National Child and Youth Care Award for 2004. The
Award is member driven and intended to recognize an individual practitioner who through
their career or actions exemplifies best practice. Jean, with her career long commitment
to fostering the growth of the child and youth care system in Manitoba certainly serves the
award well.
Renewed Passion for Care - Calgary '04
As a front line youth care worker for 9 years, I continue to see many coworkers and students move
to other professions after becoming burned out in the care field. Attending the 13th National Child
and Youth Care conference in Calgary refreshed for me, why we do what we do. I came home
feeling charged and motivated, with a renewed passion for this work. The theme of the conference,
“It’s the Journey, Not the Destination”, stressed the value and potential for change in every
interaction. National conferences provide an opportunity to network with youth care workers,
program managers, and instructors from all over the world. Professionals from the field come to
share information, learn, grow, and promote professional standards for child and youth care
practice. It’s a time for impassioned speeches, educational workshops equipping us with new
tools of practice, good food, entertainment and fun!
It was my honour to represent the Child and Youth Care Association of Manitoba at not only the
remarkable 3 day conference, but at the pre-conference day, and the Annual General Meeting
(AGM) of the Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations (CCCYCA).
CCCYCA met for two days to review what the last pre-conference committees had accomplished,
review where each province’s professional association is at in terms of memberships,
achievements, concerns, etc., and to plan for the coming year. The normal board business of
voting on by-laws and constitutional amendments, and election of officers also took place at this
time. Ten of thirteen Canadian districts’ representatives were present. A very impressive turnout!
The 4th annual pre-conference day was sponsored by the CCCYCA. The day’s mission was to
“continue the work of setting a National agenda toward establishment of enforceable standards for
Child and Youth Care practice”. Carol Stuart, PhD, of Ryerson University, chaired the day.
Instructors, managers, supervisors, and other allied professionals gathered to compare where
each province is in terms of membership, accreditation, certification, hiring policies, educational
programs and standards, and professional association memberships. Alberta and Ontario have
well-established professional associations with: high membership numbers, certification
programs, and active networking with government. Accreditation standards, hiring policies for
employees, and association membership and activities vary widely between the other provinces.
Committees reconvened to continue work on; articulating the theory and competencies of child and
youth care, developing a national framework for standards, and increasing provincial
memberships. As a front line worker, I was impressed with the calibre of dedicated professionals
in the field, and of the philosophy, frameworks for best practice, and the politics involved.
At this point being day three for me, I was close to information overload! I had met incredible people
from around the world who shared my passion for kids in care. I had a better understanding of the
evolution of the field, and felt like I was a part of a movement towards professionalism in a field I
know requires specialized skills to do well. Thankfully, this is where the really fun part began.
Tuesday evening was the opening ceremony for the conference. The Alberta Ministry of Children’s
Services donated $50,000 to the conference, and the Honourable Minister of Children’s Services,
Ms. Iris Evans, delivered an impassionate and hilarious speech. The message of the value and
worth of the contributions of front line workers was paramount. What stands out most to me was
her comment that cuts to funding to children’s services are immoral, and just can’t happen. The
Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta works closely with government in terms of certification
of child and youth care workers. Currently, the association is lobbying the government for
legislation to recognize the profession in the province in the same light as nurses, social workers,
and other social service and health care professionals.
The conference itself included three days of incredible workshops, speeches, and multicultural
entertainment. Students, front line workers, managers and instructors came together through
workshops to learn, share, and grow. Workshops included information and applicable tools of the
trade, on topics such as; cultural awareness, self injury, substance use, tools to deal with
aggression, sexual exploitation, mental health, music and play therapy, working with families,
transitioning to independent living, etc. etc…….to name but a few. My only complaint was there
were always many good ones on at the same time, and you could only pick one!
On Friday morning, 650 people gathered to hear Dr. Stephen Lewis speak. Dr. Lewis shared his
insights and passion for his work with children and families suffering from the losses and pain
caused by HIV/AIDS infection in Africa. The Stephen Lewis Foundation helps ease their suffering.
He spoke at length about child and youth care workers being advocates for youth, because who
knows the issues better but the front line workers. He asks us to view one child’s predicament in
terms of the greater social issues, listing many in Canada; child poverty, exploitation, street youth,
unsafe water in some reservations, and rising rates of type 2 diabetes, HIV, and FASD in aboriginal
communities. He impressed upon the crowd that the day-to-day engagement with youth does in
fact help improve the human condition.
The conference concluded with a Taste of the Nations Banquet, featuring food and entertainment
from around the world. Dr. Marten Brookenleg, author of Reclaiming Youth at Risk, spoke about the
importance of creating supportive and nurturing environments to help the whole child flourish. He
stressed the importance of unconditional love and acceptance, in a powerful address that left us
laughing and shedding a tear. In his closing remarks Dr. Brokenleg reminded us of the value of
front line work and the difference we can make- one interaction at a time.
This year’s national child and youth care conference was an experience I’ll never forget. It re-set the
fire in my soul for the value of providing quality care to behaviourally and emotionally challenged
youth. As well, I met inspiring people, and networked with others committed to the establishment of
Child and Youth Care as a valued and recognized profession. I hope to see you at the 14th
National Conference in Montreal ’06. I know I’ll be there.
Carol May Watson
Ken Lee and Carol Watson, both members
of the current CYCWAM Board contributed
towards the success of the event. Carol
joined the Council to represent Manitoba.
Ken, a skilled photographer, was pressed
into action by Garth to help build an
image bank out of the event.
Karl Gompf also attended the conference.
During the give aways, he expressed his
desire to have one of the white hats and
bam, his name was drawn that instant. Karl
continues to bring up the caboose for
Relational Child & Youth Care Practice.
Past President, Deb Fast took right to the
line dancing lessons one morning at
breakfast. Deb continues to administer and
train for the Competency Based In service
Training Program in the province.
Garth Goodwin served on the
Conference Committee providing the
conference web site, form forwarding
and a Power Point for the event. He is
the first Council member of an
Emeritus panel for the Council, set up
to allow past directors to continue to
contribute and advise the sitting
board. He also contributes a column
to Relational Child and Youth Care
Practice.
There was a Manitoba delegation at Promise into Practice. Dawne McKay
Chiddenton and Catherine Hayes attended from the current board. Past
President , Peter Duff built the conference into a holiday visit to the island. Garth
Goodwin was there as Canadian Chair to the conference and photographer of
the event. Marymound Inc. had Cathy Sinclair and Lynette Koop there as
presenters introducing the Crisis Stabilization Unit model to others from the
field.
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Child and Youth Care Workers' Association of Manitoba
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