HS 202 - Community Advocacy & Partnerships

3 Credits

Outline Effective Date 2024 Fall
2024/2025

Lecture Hours: 42
Course Description:
This course explores the link between the developmental needs of children and youth and community programming. Students research and analyze community needs and resources through the lens of social advocacy for children, youth and families. Emphasis is placed on developing students’ understanding of community programs, leadership and group management skills while designing opportunities for children/youth and families in a community.

Rationale:
This is a required course for the second year Early Childhood Education and first year Child and Youth Care Counsellor students. Students gain leadership experience through implementing community program. This course equips students with strategies for designing, organizing, and leading programming. Students gain knowledge about the key components of program development and community involvement and advocacy.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None

Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

Identify developmental needs and programming requirements for children/youth and families in a community.
Articulate the desired outcomes for children/youth and families using the model for change.
Write a proposal seeking funding to implement a project for children/youth/families.
Research resources and programs that are available in a community.
Design and pitch a presentation to establish support and funding for the program.
Implement the community program over four weeks in collaboration with a community agency.
Articulate personal areas of strength and areas for growth within the program design and implementation process.

Required Resource Materials:
Electronic articles and resources are utilized throughout the course. Students are directed to the CYC-NET for additional research articles.

Optional Resource Materials:
None

Conduct of Course:
Seminars, discussion, readings, and videos are utilized to explore the planning process. Interactive opportunities to design, present, lead and evaluate community activities is a key component of the course. This course requires students participate in the community project.

Regular attendance is essential for success in any course. Absence for any reason does not relieve a student of the responsibility of completing course work and assignments to the satisfaction of the instructor. Frequent absences may result in the student being placed on probation. Further absences may result in suspension from the program.

On-line attendance is demonstrated by keeping up with readings and assignments, participation in the dialogue on the discussion board and completing course work assignments to the satisfaction of the instructor.

In cases of repeated absences due to illness, the student may be requested to submit a medical certificate.

Instructors have the authority to require attendance in classes.

Content of Course:

Community Needs and Programming
Program Development and Design
Program Presentation
Community Project Implementation
Reflection and Recommendations.

Course Assessments:
Students must do all assignments to obtain a final grade.

Assignment 1	15%
Assignment 2	15%
Assignment 3	20%
Assignment 4	20%
Discussion Board Assignments	30%
Total	100%

Course Pass Requirements:
A minimum grade of D (50%) (1.00) is required to pass this course. Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.