Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care - OACYC

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Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care - OACYC

The Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC)
L'Association Ontarienne des Techniques d'?

Child and Youth Care Practitioners work with young children and teenagers to help them manage their physical, mental, emotional issues and problems. CYCs possess a special knowledge base and skill level that encompasses behaviour, mental health, development, environment and most importantly, therapeutic relationships.

10/22/2026

Misogyny, hate-fuelled attitudes, and the incel sub-culture are a growing problem, we're working to address it and need your help.

This course is focused on providing a comprehensive and multi-level approach to understanding and preventing incel radicalization, with a focus on promoting gender equality, healthy relationships, and positive social interactions.

Register here: https://www.whiteribbon.ca/beyond-the-screen?lng=en

Thank you to White Ribbon for partnering with us on this e-course.

10/20/2026

What does it feel like to walk into a room and suddenly find yourself surrounded by Child and Youth Care practitioners from around the world?

For our OAC*C delegates who attended the 2026 World Child and Youth Care Conference, that first moment brought a mix of emotions: from nervousness and uncertainty to excitement, connection and, ultimately, a sense of belonging. Seeing so many practitioners gathered with a shared commitment to children, youth and the profession was a powerful reminder that while our work may look different across communities and countries, the values at its heart can bring us together.

In this reflection, our delegates share what they felt in those first moments, and how stepping into that space helped turn initial anxiety into empowerment, connection and the feeling of being among kindred spirits.

Please take a moment to swipe through and read what each of our delegates had to say!💙

*CConference2026 *C *C

10/17/2026

Trauma is not one-size-fits-all, and the ways children and youth respond to difficult experiences can look very different from person to person.

Some young people may express their struggles outwardly, while others may internalize their emotions or mask them altogether. Behaviours that are often misunderstood can sometimes be coping strategies, responses to stress, or signs that a young person is trying to navigate feelings they may not yet have the words to express.

In Child and Youth Care, looking beyond behaviour and approaching youth with empathy, patience, and curiosity can make a meaningful difference. Creating safe, supportive relationships helps young people feel seen, heard, and understood. 💙

*C

10/15/2026

📣Call For Proposals📣 OAC*C Provincial Conference 2027: Moments Matter

The Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OAC*C), in partnership with Lambton College's 3-year Advanced Child and Youth Care Diploma Program and Sarnia-Lambton Rebound, invites practitioners, students, educators, researchers, leaders, community partners, and community members to submit proposals for the 2027 OAC*C Provincial Conference: Moments Matter, to be held at Four Points by Sheraton in Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario.

Please take a moment to read through the official OAC*C Call for Proposals.

Submit a proposal at:
https://site.pheedloop.com/portal/event/EVEEMPLVJKFBB/submission/CALZA1M2G1O9OXU/application

Submit a Moment at:
https://site.pheedloop.com/portal/event/EVEEMPLVJKFBB/submission/CAL3RIU248IMYWR/application

Questions? Please contact the OAC*C Conference Committee: [email protected]

Information about sponsorships and vendor/exhibit tables to come – stay tuned!

🌟Join us at the OAC*C Provincial Conference🌟
📅 June 2-4, 2027
📍 Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario
💻️ https://oacyc-conference.org/

10/14/2026

What does it mean to practice relationally?

In Child and Youth Care, relationships are not separate from the work. They are part of how the work happens.

Relational practice means building genuine, respectful connections with children, youth and families while recognizing their experiences, perspectives and strengths. It can mean listening without judgement, showing up consistently, creating trust and working alongside someone rather than simply providing support to them.

Because meaningful change often begins with feeling heard, respected and understood.

What does relational practice look like in your work? Tell us in the comments.💚

*C

10/12/2026

Thanksgiving is often presented as a time to gather, give thanks and celebrate. But the stories we are taught about the holiday can also leave out or simplify Indigenous histories and experiences, particularly the realities of colonization, displacement and the ongoing impacts of colonial systems.

Taking time to question those narratives is part of reconciliation.

For those of us working in Child and Youth Care, this reflection matters. The histories and systems that shape our communities also shape the experiences of the children, youth and families we work alongside. Reconciliation calls us to look critically at those systems, listen to Indigenous voices and knowledge, and consider how our own practices can support relationships grounded in respect, reciprocity, cultural humility and self-determination.

This is not about replacing one Thanksgiving narrative with another. It is about making space for a fuller understanding of the histories we have inherited and considering what responsibility looks like today.

This Thanksgiving, we invite our C*C community to pause, reflect and ask: What does gratitude ask of us?

10/10/2026

Mental health is deeply connected to how children and youth grow, develop and experience the world around them.

Childhood and adolescence are periods of significant brain development. Young people are building emotional regulation, coping skills, relationships, identity and a growing understanding of themselves and others. The environments and relationships surrounding them can play an important role in that development.

That is why supporting child and youth mental health requires looking beyond symptoms or diagnoses. It means considering the whole young person: their relationships, family, school, community, experiences, strengths and the circumstances shaping their everyday lives.

For Child and Youth Care Practitioners, this relational and developmental perspective is at the heart of the work.

C*CPs build meaningful relationships with children, youth and families, creating spaces where young people can feel heard, understood and supported. Through strength-based, trauma-informed and relational practice, they help young people navigate challenges, develop skills, strengthen connections and recognize their own capacity for growth.

This World Mental Health Day, we recognize the importance of supporting mental health throughout childhood and adolescence, not only when a young person is struggling, but as an essential part of their development and wellbeing.

10/08/2026

Moments of escalation can be challenging. In Child and Youth Care, our role is not simply to manage behaviour, but rather to respond in ways that prioritize safety, dignity, connection, and understanding.

Trauma-informed de-escalation reminds us that behaviour is communication, and that regulation often begins in trust. By approaching these moments with curiosity, compassion, and a relational lens, practitioners can help create the conditions for safety, co-regulation, and repair.

Swipe through for a few trauma-informed de-escalation strategies every Child and Youth Care Practitioner should know. 💙

What approaches have you found helpful in your practice? Share below. ⬇️

10/06/2026

As a profession, Child and Youth Care is complex, relational, and grounded in real-world practice across systems and communities. While the impact may not always be loud, it’s always meaningful.

We'd love to hear from you in the comments – what is it that you value most about your work as a C*CP?

10/03/2026

Real change starts with people who genuinely care. 💙

Every day, Child and Youth Care practitioners across Ontario are creating safe spaces, building trust, supporting families, and showing up for young people in ways that often go unseen, but never unnoticed.

Thank you for the passion, empathy, and dedication you bring to this work. The impact you make through everyday moments and meaningful connections continues to create lasting change in communities across the province.✨

Address

C/o TMU, 99 Gerrard Street East
Toronto, ON
M5B2K3

Website

http://www.oacyc.org/

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Contact The Practice

Send a message to Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care - OACYC:

Pablo Munoz
3080 Yonge Street Suite 5034
Rockyshores Counselling