Indigenous Children, Youth and Families: Understanding Legislation and Policies

Curriculum guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course code
CYCC 2212
Descriptive
Indigenous Children, Youth and Families: Understanding Legislation and Policies
Department
Child and Youth Care
Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
35
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Contact hours

Lecture - 4 hours per week.

Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Learning activities
  • Lecture
  • Group Work
  • Student Presentations
  • Guest Speakers
  • Audio-Visual Presentations

All methods of instruction apply to in class, hybrid and/or online modes of learning.

Course description
This course will review the policy, legislation, and practice standards governing Indigenous child, youth, and family services, including Indigenous child welfare authorities. A review of the impacts of colonial legislative policies on the lives of Indigenous children, youth and families in B.C. will be addressed in the current context. Addressing the need for systems accountability will also be emphasized.

Course content

The following Indigenous principles guide the design and delivery of this course:

  • Explore specific policies and legislation that empower practitioners to work respectfully and effectively with Indigenous children, youth, families, and communities involved with Indigenous and mainstream systems.
  • Understand the concept of Indigenous control over services to Indigenous children, youth and families as a necessary element in Reconciliation.
  • Practitioners who understand the systems in which they work can access resources and effectively use the network of services and agencies.
  • Understand how to respectfully address biased principles, value statements and policies. 
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Interpret current policy issues of Indigenous child welfare, education, and youth justice specific to the needs of Indigenous children, youth, families and communities.
  • Examine organizational procedures and structures of agencies that impact Indigenous children, youth, and families, both historically and currently.
  • Explore how the youth justice system intersects with the child welfare system and the impact on Indigenous children, youth, families, and communities.
  • Apply knowledge of specific policies, legislation and procedures governing Indigenous child welfare, youth justice and education to individual situations.
  • Develop an informed position to engage in advocacy for the needs of Indigenous children, youth and families.
Means of assessment

This course will conform to the Douglas College Evaluation Policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations.

  • Written Assignments
  • Group Presentations
  • Self Assessment
  • Classroom Activity Participation
  • Other

This is a letter-graded course

Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation as part of the student’s graded performance. Expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the instructor course outline. 

Students in the CYCC program are required to maintain a minimun grade of 60% (C) in all CYCC courses in order to progress in the program.  Additionally, CYCC 1220 and CYCC 2432 will require a minimum grade of 65% (C+) in order to be applied as a pre-requisite.

Textbook materials

Textbooks and materials are to be purchased by students. A list of required textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of the semester.

Prerequisites

Course is restricted to Indigenous Pathway students. Students from other programs, please contact coordinator for registration.

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies