Student advocates for regulation
Fleming College child and youth worker student’s message impresses provincial association president
A Fleming College third-year child and youth worker student who has taken to social media to advocate for provincial regulation of the field she is on the verge of entering has captured the attention of those who have long-lobbied for legislated recognition.
Jennifer Bernard posted a video to YouTube on April 6 titled CYC Regulation in Ontario – Become an advocate! to explain why she believes child and youth care should be a regulated profession, to create awareness and seek support.
She says nothing in the video, instead revealing placards with words to deliver her message – which was quickly noticed by the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care, which has lobbied for regulation for years and made it a priority for the last two.
“I was just so impressed. She understands what’s at stake here ,” association president Christine Gaitens said Wednesday from Toronto, pointing out the vital advocacy role students like Bernard can play in their communities. “They bring fresh perspective and new energy.”
The video was her creation for a class advocacy assignment, Bernard explained. She has used social media because she feels it’s the best way to get noticed.
“I wanted to contribute in any way I can ... and educate others on how they can become advocates,” she said, explaining her decision to deliver her message visually. “It shows you can still have a voice without actually speaking.”
Fleming child and youth care program co-ordinator Heather Sago said she couldn’t be prouder of Bernard for her efforts, which have also been promoted by the college itself.
“Regulation of child and youth care practitioners is in the best interest of public safety. Only educated, qualified CYCPs should be working with our most vulnerable and at-risk young people. CYCPs have a specialized skill set that can enhance multi disciplinary teams ,” she stated.
Noting that youth and families can spend from 20 to 50 hours a week with a single worker at hospital, residential, family, school, community or outreach settings, regulating CYCPs would ensure accountability and serve as a safeguard, Sago added.
While there have been calls for regulation for years, the issue has become more relevant of late because, for example, legislation that could enhance the rights of children and youth in care and significantly impact the field remains unproclaimed.
Recent reports also haven’t favoured child welfare in general, Sago noted, pointing out how the relevant provincial ministry is also examining residential youth care.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Gaitens said, adding how regulation may become a reality sooner rather than later, given the circumstances. “It just hasn’t been the right time.”
The Fleming program is in its sixth year of existence and in that time, Sago said job opportunities have continually increased as a result of the need for trained child and youth care workers. Many students get their first job in the second year of the program.
Unfortunately, faculty do frequently get feedback from students working in the community about “significant instances” where youth have been harmed, something Sago said wouldn’t happen as much if the profession was regulated.
In the video, Bernard points out that when we are hurt, we expect someone with specialized training to deliver medical care and when our children are at day care, we expect them to be with those with experience in early childhood education.
Nurses, doctors, early childhood educators, social workers and educational assistants are all examples of regulated professions – meaning in order for them to work, there is a requirement of specialized training, education, licences and certificates, she wrote.
They worked hard to build the skill set and knowledge each field requires, Bernard wrote, noting that she, too, has worked hard for three years so that she can become a child and youth worker, child and youth counsellor or child and youth care practitioner, for example.
In the video, Bernard wrote the unregulated field creates the potential for ongoing vulnerability of children and youth in care, insufficient accountability processes for employers to hire skilled staff and continued employment of unqualified staff.
There is also high rates of turn over and burnout in high-risk settings, inadequate education and skill sets of those employed to serve highrisk and vulnerable youth and continued harm to high risk youth in care requiring intrusive intervention, she said.
Without regulation, there will be more inquests into the deaths of children in care and escalating risk to communities given the risk some high-risk youth pose to others, she added.
Bernard encouraged Ontarians to come together to advocate for regulation, to sign her petition, write to Queen’s Park and spread the word using the hashtag #CYWRegulation.
“If you are passionate about helping vulnerable populations and providing support so many are in need of, please become an advocate yourself,” she wrote. “I encourage you to help me and thousands of other CYWs take a stand and advocate for the regulation of our practice.”
Her efforts to date have helped her learn more about herself, Bernard said, adding how she spoke at a conference in Burlington after winning a Soroptimist International Award in 2014. “I started to realize I do have a voice.”
Sago hopes Bernard’s efforts will inspire others, too. “People have the opportunity to take matters into their own hands.”
NOTES: Jennifer Bernard also seeks volunteers to become “petition holders” who can assist with her efforts .... As of Wednesday, she had recruited seven towards her goal of 10 .... View her video at www. thepeterboroughexaminer.com or on YouTube at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Op3KXy3tUQI .... Formore information on the legislation, visit www.oacyc.org/legislation.