The three professional competencies identified by the Child and Youth Care Certification Board (CYCCB, 2016) under the Cultural and Human Diversity domain of child and youth care practice are introduced below. In each of these areas, you will gain a general understanding of what you will be working towards through your education and practicum experiences.

1. Cultural and Human Diversity Awareness and Inquiry

Delano (2004) reminds us that “the key to delivering culturally competent services to children and families we care for lies in accepting that being diverse is not enough, and that we never really can become fully culturally competent” (para. 1). A practitioner needs to remain open to the idea that cultural competency is an ongoing process and requires that CYC professionals “should constantly be moving forward by learning about others and accepting how our potential biases and strong core values might affect our ability to be culturally competent” (Delano, 2004, para. 1).  In this domain, the emphasis is on the CYC professional’s ability to reflect on their own level of cultural understanding, assess their own biases, and support children, youth, families and programs in “developing cultural competence and appreciation of human diversity” (CYCCB, 2016, p. 13).

“As you enter placement, remember that it is normal to feel anxious about this new experience.  Being aware of your ‘blind spots’ or biases will be so important.  It’s a sign of strength to admit what we don’t know and allows us to grow and expand in our understanding of ourselves and others.  Enjoy the process of learning more about you.” Donna Mansfield, Sault College CYC Program Faculty and College Placement Supervisor

Please click the following heading to view a list of competencies in this area:

2. Relationships and Communication Sensitive to Cultural and Human Diversity

The next area of the Cultural and Human Diversity competency domain focuses on the relationships that CYC professionals have in their work and on communication that is sensitive to cultural and human diversity. Culture—which may include language, values, beliefs, and behaviours—can and will shape the interactions between a CYC practitioner and those they work with. A CYC worker must be aware of a child, youth, and/or family’s culture to ensure that relationships and communication within those relationships are sensitive to all involved.

Please click the following heading to view a list of competencies in this area:

3. Developmental Practice Methods Sensitive to Cultural and Human Diversity

This area of the Cultural and Human Diversity domain of child and youth care practice, as identified by the CYCCB, is focused on developmental practice methods that are sensitive to cultural and human diversity. This sensitivity to cultural and human diversity should be present when designing and implementing programs; group work; and counselling and behavioural guidance for children, youth, and families; as well as in setting boundaries and limits on behaviour.

Please click the following heading to view a list of competencies in this area: