Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care - OACYC

Home
Canada
Toronto, ON
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.

06/20/2025

✨ Make everyday moments with youth really count! ✨
Join an 8-week online Daily Life Events (DLE) training and learn how to turn daily interactions into meaningful, trauma-informed support.
🗓 Thursdays, Sept 25–Nov 13 | 🕛 12–2 PM EST
💻 Live on Zoom | 💰 $325 + tax (10% off before Aug 1!)
Led by expert facilitators.
CEU eligible.
Perfect for C*C, educators, foster parents & more!

📩 Register: info@trct.ca
🔗 Details: www.trct.ca

*C

06/14/2025

🌟 After a powerful Day 3 exploring AI in practice, decolonizing education, survivor-led advocacy, and trauma-informed leadership… we’re heading into the final day of the OAC*C 2025 Conference! 💥

Join us Saturday, June 14 for a deeply meaningful close to our week of learning and community-building:

🕘 9:00 AM – Opening Keynote | Dr. Wraychel Gilmore
We –are– The System
An uplifting call to reclaim belonging, community, and purpose in the face of systemic challenges.

🕙 10:00 AM – Chrystal Toop
The Indigenous Death Movement: Reclaiming Legacy & Rituals

🕚 11:00 AM – Vee Correia
The Necessity of Radical Humility – A vital reflection on listening deeply and shifting power in practice.

🕛 12:00 PM – Emmie Henderson-Dekort
Empowering C*Cs Through Children’s Rights Education

🕐 1:00 PM – Closing Keynote | Neil Price
Care(full) Networks – Building equitable, collaborative systems of support for youth.

Let’s finish strong and continue constructing communities of practice that make lasting change. 💬🧡

📩 A full post-conference recap will be emailed to all OAC*C members after the event!

🔗 Full details: oacyc-conference.org

*C2025 *CPride

06/13/2025

🚨 OAC*C 2025 Conference – Day 3 is HERE! 🚨

We’re still buzzing from an amazing Day 2 filled with rich conversations during Education Day with C*CEAB and an inspiring dialogue with C*C-Net on the future of our field. It was a powerful reminder of what it means to construct communities of practice that support learning, connection, and leadership in Child and Youth Care.

Now, get ready for another impactful day!

🧠 3:00 PM – Opening Keynote | Ruth Silver
Using AI as Your Strategic Thinking Partner
A game-changing, hands-on session showing C*CPs how to turn real-world challenges into strategic action with AI. Don’t miss this chance to amplify your influence and impact!

Then stay with us for a powerhouse lineup:

🕓 4:00 PM – Kristen Ringwood
📚 From Policy to Practice: Curriculum Revisions & Accountability

🕔 5:00 PM – Wendy Gee
🔗 Lived Experience in the Anti-Trafficking Sector

🕕 6:00 PM – Desanka Djonin
💼 Beyond Burnout: Trauma-Informed Leadership

🕖 7:00 PM – Austin McNeil
🕰️ How the Past Has Shaped the Future

Let’s keep the momentum going! 💥
📩 Members, keep an eye on your inbox post-conference — we’ll be sharing a full recap and highlights from this incredible week.

🔗 Full schedule & access: oacyc-conference.org

*C2025 *CPride *CPs *CNet *CCCOP2025

06/11/2025

✨ Day 1 = DONE! ✨
What an incredible kickoff to the 2025 OAC*C Conference – Constructing Communities of Practice.

From powerful keynotes to hallway connections and shared laughs over lunch, our in-person session reminded us why this community matters so deeply.

💙 Thank you to our speakers, volunteers, and every attendee who showed up with heart and purpose.

Let’s carry this energy into the virtual days ahead! *C2025 *CCommunity *CCCOP2025

06/07/2025

🎟️ Last Call for In-Person Tickets!
All in-person ticket sales for the OAC*C Conference will close this Sunday at 11:59 PM.
Still want to join us?
💻 Virtual tickets will remain available throughout the conference!
Don’t miss your chance to connect, learn, and build community.
Get your ticket now → www.oacyc-conference.org
*C2025 *CConference *C *CCONFERENCE2025 *CCCOP2025

06/07/2025

🎉 The countdown is on for the OAC*C 2025 Conference – Constructing Communities of Practice!
We’re thrilled to welcome our incredible sponsor and vendors who are helping make this event possible. 🙌
🤝 Proud Sponsor: Bel-air Direct belairdirect
MAGENTA Vendor: WMN+a & Alphabee Wma AlphaBee
BLUE Vendors: Safeguards Training for Children & Youth SafeGuards Training , C*CCB Child and Youth Care Certification Board
GREEN Vendor: Lynwood Charlton Centre
Join us June 10th at Sheridan College as we kick off a week of learning, connection, and celebration across the Child and Youth Care field.
*C *CP *C *CConference *CConference2025

06/02/2025

🧡 National Indigenous History Month | Continuing Our Journey of Truth, Reconciliation & Learning
As part of our 2023–2024 Strategic Plan, the OAC*C committed to identifying colonial structures embedded in Child and Youth Care practice and using this knowledge to drive systemic change. This work is grounded in our responsibility to know, promote, and advocate for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action across our profession and communities of practice.

In alignment with this commitment, OAC*C members and leadership have been engaging in the Four Seasons of Indigenous Learning through the Outdoor Learning Store. We have completed Season One and are now preparing to enter Season Two, continuing this meaningful journey of unlearning, decolonization, and reconnection.

🌿 In recognition of National Indigenous History Month, we invite those who participated in Season One to continue alongside us in Season Two. A limited number of seats are available, and participation is open exclusively to current OAC*C members.

📩 To secure your seat for Season Two, please email vicepresident@oacyc.org by June 29, 2025.
Let’s continue learning, listening, and transforming. Centering Indigenous voices and lived experiences in all we do.

*C *C *CReconciliation

05/31/2025

⏳ The countdown is ON!

We’re less than 2 weeks away from the 2025 OAC*C Conference, and you’re invited to be part of something powerful.
🧠 Learning.
🤝 Connection.
🏆 Celebration.
🪩 Gala.
🎤 Incredible speakers.

Whether you're joining us in-person at Sheridan College on June 10 or virtually from June 11–14, this is your space to grow, reflect, and build what’s next.
🎟️ Register now: oacyc-conference.org

*C2025 *CPride *CConference *CCCOP2025 *CCCOPCONFERENCE2025

05/28/2025

🎤 Meet Your 2025 OAC*C Gala Host: Calissa Ngozi 💫

We’re thrilled to welcome the one and only Calissa Ngozi to the stage as our Gala emcee!
Calissa is a nationally recognized Child and Youth Care Practitioner, Mental Health Expert, Professor, and award-winning Inspirational Speaker with over 20 years of experience. From Mohawk College classrooms to national news broadcasts, her voice is a force for change, healing, and joy in our sector.
She’s been featured on CTV’s Your Morning, The Social, Breakfast Television, SiriusXM, and more, offering powerful insight on burnout, resilience, and care work. A past OAC*C Board Member and current leader at Bartimaeus Inc. and Pathstone Mental Health Foundation, Calissa continues to walk the walk.

✨ Get ready for a night of connection, storytelling, and celebration — hosted by someone who lives the heart of this profession.
📅 Gala Night: June 10, 2025�
📍 Bronte Boathouse, Oakville�
🎟️ Tickets: www.oacyc-conference.org

*C2025 *CPride *CGala *CLeadership

05/27/2025

📢 Calling all Child and Youth Care Practitioners!
Join us for a pivotal virtual session dedicated to championing the mission of C*C-Net — a global lifeline for our field — happening as part of the OAC*C 2025 Provincial Conference 🌍💙

🗓️ Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
📍 Location: Online via OAC*C Virtual Conference

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or learning about C*C-Net for the first time, this is your moment to show up, speak up, and support the future of open-access C*C knowledge.

✨ Why Attend?
🔹 Advocate for Child and Youth Care values
🔹 Connect and collaborate with peers
🔹 Learn how to support C*C-Net’s global impact

🎟️ How to Join:
🔹 Register for the full OAC*C Virtual Conference (June 11, 13–14) to access this and other sessions:
https://oacyc-conference.org

🔹 Or register for the C*C-Net session only (free of charge):
https://oacyc.org/event-registration/ =105&cid=1858&wid=801

Let’s build community, amplify our voices, and ensure the future of open-access resources for C*C professionals everywhere.

*C2025 *CNet *CProfessionals *C *CNet

05/25/2025

🚨 In 2023, 134 children connected to Ontario's care system died — the highest number recorded to date.

That averages to one child every 2.7 days.

These numbers reflect a system under pressure. One that lacks the coordinated oversight, resources, and professional support necessary to protect young lives.

A recent Global News investigation reveals deep gaps in Ontario’s care network. These include inconsistent oversight, underqualified staffing, and service fragmentation.

👉 Child and Youth Care Practitioners (C*CPs) are on the frontlines of this work. They show up with compassion, commitment, and skill, yet the profession remains unregulated in Ontario.

Without regulation:
🔹 There are no consistent training standards
🔹 No formal accountability mechanisms
🔹 No professional protection for C*CPs or the youth they serve

🧡 Regulation is not about policing practitioners. It’s about building a system that supports and protects everyone involved, especially children and youth.

📣 We are calling on the Government of Ontario to formally regulate the profession of Child and Youth Care.
📣 We are calling on leaders in children’s mental health and child welfare to stand with C*CPs and endorse this essential step forward.

✍️ Add your voice to the campaign:
🔗 oacyc.org/email-campaign

*CPs *C *CAdvocacy *CPs

05/24/2025

🎥 “If I could give younger me advice, I’d tell her—network.”
Michelle Peña, one of our amazing Conference Committee members, shares why connection is at the heart of Child and Youth Care, and how networking has shaped her journey in this field.
From places of work to community, the people you meet matter.
💬 “I’m on my little merry way to purchase my bi-annual ticket to the OAC*C Conference this year... If you’re planning to attend, I hope to see you there.”
📍 June 10–14, 2025 | In-person + virtual
🎟️ Tickets: www.oacyc-conference.org [Link in bio]
*C2025 *CPride *CConference

Address

Toronto, ON

Website

http://www.oacyc.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care - OACYC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

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

Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care - OACYC

06/20/2025

06/14/2025

06/13/2025

06/11/2025

06/07/2025

06/07/2025

06/02/2025

05/31/2025

05/28/2025

05/27/2025

05/25/2025

05/24/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share