Course Description

This session is designed to introduce programs and care providers to the Child and Youth Care Basic Course and nationally-recognized professional certification options for child and youth care providers. An overview of certification options will be presented including entry, associate, and professional levels. Participants will be introduced to the eight-part certification preparation course which includes modules in five core competency domains: (1) professionalism, (2) cultural and human diversity, (3) applied human development, (4) relationship and communication, and (5)developmental practice methods. Participants will discuss needs of specific programs and how professional certification and the Child and Youth Care Basic Course can be used to improve service outcomes to children in out-of-home care.

Participant Learning Outcomes

1. Explain five core competency domains for providing effective services to youth in out-of-home care and incorporate that knowledge and training into delivery of on-site services to foster youth

2. Explain the role of professional credentialing for group home and foster care providers in improving service outcomes

3. Integrate national standards and competency testing for service providers within existing group home and foster care programs

Sign in will begin at 8:30am.

About the presenters:

Andrew Schneider-Munoz, Ed.D., CYC-P

Dr. Schneider-Munoz is a national leader for innovative, strength-based frameworks for youth and community development. Dr. Schneider-Munoz has direct-care experience with children and youth in after-school, group care, shelter, and camp settings. He is an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh in the School of Education and Child Psychology and serves as a board member for the Association for Child and Youth Care Practice. He is also the editor of the Journal of Child and Youth Care, one of the few journals in the world dedicated to the work of the direct care practitioner. He previously served as director of the Academy for Educational Development Center for Youth Development where he lead the research and development of strength-based initiatives in more than a dozen countries focused on child and youth care, family engagement, education, and leadership.

Frank Eckles, CYC-P, LCCA

Frank is a national advocate for strengthening standards of practice and training for child and youth care professionals. Frank has direct-care experience with children and youth in psychiatric hospital, residential, and adventure camp settings. He is the executive director of the Child and Youth Care Worker Certification Institute and serves as board president of the Child and Youth Care Certification Board and board member for the Association for Child and Youth Care Practice.