Lakeland presents French option for child and youth care

Lakeland College will become the only college west of Quebec this fall to offer an online French version of a child and youth care (CYC) program.

Like its English counterpart, the program, technique d’éducation spécialisée, will teach students to connect with at risk youth and children, build therapeutic relationships, recognize symptoms of abuse and addiction, and provide support to families.

“There is a huge need for trained staff able to support children and youth in French communities as well as immersion settings,” says Joanne McDonald, Lakeland’s chair of human services. “Communication is a critical component of child and youth care and being able to do so in the family’s first language is essential to help them gain the support they need and build that relationship.”

Lakeland’s two-year CYC diploma program is one of only 12 programs in the country accredited by the Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada.

Technique d’éducation spécialisée will be offered entirely online and instructor-guided with new content released weekly. Students will complete assignments, exams and classroom discussions through an online learning management system.

“We are excited to offer our accredited child and youth care program in French and to make it as accessible as possible through online delivery,” says McDonald. “It’s so important to provide French students the opportunity to study in the language they are most comfortable with.”

Funding for technique d’éducation spécialisée was approved through a three-year French language grant as part of the project Building Upon Success: La création d'un nouveau programme postsecondaire en ligne en français.

Lakeland also offers online certificate and diploma programs in éducation à la petite enfance (early learning and child care.) Applications for these online programs are always open. To start taking courses this fall, students are encouraged to apply before Aug. 1.