Child and Youth Care Association of SK

STANDARDS FOR PRACTICE

of North American

Child and Youth Care Professionals

SEPT 28, 2023 ver 2.7.0

2022 REVISION

The Code of Ethics was last reviewed and approved by ACYCP in 1995, over 28 years ago. Over the span of two decades, it has been used as a central component in the certification process of the Child and Youth Care Certification Board (CYCCB) as well as circulated by the Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations (CCCYCA). It is used as a primary ethics foundation for a number of provinces and states in North America and referenced around the world. It has served it’s time well as a guiding foundation of ethical Child and Youth Care practice.

The lead architect in the formation of this code of ethics was Martha Mattingly at the University of Pittsburgh (Mattingly, 1995). Her commitment and spirit of ethical practice is honored and present in the 2017 revision. The code, as it was developed under the leadership of Martha Mattingly, was intended as a living document that reflects the growth and development of the Child and Youth Care field. Most recently, the ethics code was closely examined and applied to the online dimension of the life space of children and young people (Kamps, Kavanagh & Mayhew, 2017).

In 2017, an ad hoc committee formed by ACYCP conducted the first revision of the code. The update was submitted to the ACYCP board of directors for approval at the June 2017board of directors meeting. As part of the 2017 revision, several revisions were proposed and adopted. Two of the five areas of responsibility were renamed: the phrase ‘child, youth, and family’ replaced the term ‘client’ and the word ‘community’ replaced ‘society’.

Text edits were made where there was opportunity to express a standard in more clear or direct language. Areas of content revisions included: (1) strengthening the importance of supervision and mindfulness of self, (2) clarifying language describing self-determination, personal agency, and advocacy, (3) acknowledging the virtual/online dimension of everyday life, (4) emphasis on necessity of equity and inclusion, (5) expansion of topics to include social justice, racial equality, and cultural humility. During the ratification of the 2017 code revision, the ACYCP board set an initiative to review the code every five years to ensure that the field’s ethnical standards remain in line with the current sociocultural and sociohistorical context.

Since the 2017 revision, much in the world has changed—so much so that the ethical challenges facing the Child and Youth Care profession are both more numerous and significantly more complex. Social media and information communication technologies have evolved exponentially, with much of all communication manifesting in virtual spaces. The young people we work with are at the forefront of these shifts. Not only are the modalities they use constantly changing, their communication processes in and of themselves are transforming.

These developments challenge our traditional notions of relational practice and push the field to constantly recalibrate notions of consent, confidentiality and boundary management. As practitioners, we must examine our own cyber presence to ensure that we are ethical and professional, all the while assisting the children, youth and families in our care to act in ways that are safe and responsible.

The onset of the global pandemic in 2020 and the continuing concerns about emerging variants have altered our practice contexts in ways that may not be reversible. More and more Child and Youth Care practice is happening virtually, and beyond learning to work in virtual spaces, we need to attend to the ways in which limiting face-to-face contact compromises the relationships that are foundational to what we do. Even more concerning is that poverty, unemployment, marital conflict, domestic violence and compromised mental health have all increased during the pandemic, and the children, youth, and families we engage with are struggling more than ever. This both increases the urgency and magnifies the importance of our ethical responsibilities to provide respectful, empathic, and empowering care that is responsive to the needs and the contexts of those we serve.

Lastly, the escalation of social problems across North America has sparked intensified demands for social justice, personified by the growth of protest movements such as Black Lives Matter and Indigenous Lives Matter. The disproportionate impacts of the pandemic have highlighted the legacy of racism and oppression everywhere, and across the continent, protests have led to the destruction of monuments to the founders of residential schools, slave traders, and white supremacists. Perhaps now more than ever, Child and Youth Care practitioners have an ethical responsibility to engage in anti-oppressive practice and undertake advocacy that promotes a better world for all.

This 2022 revision of the Code of Ethics is thus extremely timely given the many changes since the last revision. Child and Youth Care has never been more in need of a moral compass, so that individually and collectively we can continue to maintain an ethical stance and remain true to the core values of the field. The ad hoc review committee—formed under the oversight of Jody Rhodes (President of the Association for Child and Youth Care Practice - was chaired by Christina Scanlon (Board Vice President and contributor to the 2017 revision of the Code; University of Chicago). The full committee consisted of the following:

Chair:

Dr. Christina L. Scanlon

University of Chicago

Canadian Liaison:

Dr. Varda Mann-Feder

Concordia University

Committee Members:

Jerriann Chandler-Ochoa Sycamores

Dr. Dale Curry Kent State University

Frank Eckles Academy for Competent Youth Work

James Freeman Training Grounds LLC

Tammy Hopper National Safe Place Network

In this version of the code, we have revised the language to be more and reflective of our commitment to ethical practice. We have also expanded the code to include guidelines for (a) ethical practice surrounding virtual/online spaces and (b) indirect care practitioners. Perhaps the most exciting element of this revision has been the collaboration between U.S. and Canadian child and youth workers, as ACYCP worked alongside the Canadian Council during the revision process. It is our hope that the spirit of Martha Mattingly is continued in this revision, that ethical practice is accelerated across the field, and that future generations will take ethics as seriously as this revision committee has in our present day.

References

Kamps, C., Kavanagh, H. & Mayhew, A. (2017). Let’s Get Over Ourselves! Cyber-Space is Life-Space: A Consideration of CYC Ethics Online. Toronto, CA: Ryerson University.

Mattingly, M. (1995). Developing professional ethics for child and youth care work: Assuming responsibility for the quality of care. Child and Youth Care Forum, 24(6), 379-391.

PREFACE

These principles and standards provide a framework to guide ethical thinking and decision making across the various settings and roles in which Child and Youth Care Professionals serve. Professional Child and Youth Care is committed to promoting the well-being of children, youth, and families in a context of respect and collaboration. This commitment is carried out in a variety of settings and with a broad range of roles including direct practice, supervision, administration, teaching and training, research, consultation, and advocacy. In the course of practice, Child and Youth Care Professionals encounter many situations which have ethical dimensions and implications.

As Child and Youth Care Professionals, we are aware of and sensitive to the responsibilities involved in our practice. Each professional has the responsibility to strive for high standards of professional conduct. This includes a commitment to the centrality of ethical concerns for Child and Youth Care practice, concern with one’s own professional conduct, encouraging ethical behavior by others, and consulting with others on ethical issues.

This ethical statement is a living document, always a work in progress, which will mature and clarify as our understanding and knowledge grow. The principles represent shared values deeply rooted in our history. They are intended to serve as guidelines for conduct and to assist in resolving ethical questions. For some dilemmas, the principles provide specific or significant guidance. In other instances, the Child and Youth Care Professional is required to combine the guidance of the principles with sound professional judgment and consultation. In any situation, the course of action chosen is expected to be consistent with the spirit and intent of the principles.

Principles and Standards

I. Personal Commitment to Ethical Practice

a. Demonstrates high standards of integrity and professional conduct

b. Develops knowledge and skills necessary for engaging children, youth, and families, including trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive practices

i. Participates in education and training for ongoing professional development

ii. Engages in ongoing supervision and/or counsel as appropriate

iii. Actively engages to the best of their capacity in research opportunities to advance knowledge in the CYC field

c. Recognizes the impact of conscious and unconscious biases, beliefs, and values and works to intentionally reduce personal bias

d. Recognizes sources of power and privilege so as not to misuse them and engages in anti-oppressive practice

e. Maintains physical and emotional well-being

i. Aware of personal values and their implication for practice

ii. Mindful of self as a growing and developing practitioner

iii. Understands the importance of self-care

iv. Seeks guidance, counseling, and support when necessary

II. Commitment to Ethical Practice with Children, Youth, and Families

a. Does not cause harm

i. Encourages safe, ethical, trauma-informed practices

ii. Does not disrespect, exploit, or intimidate others

b. Maintains privacy and confidentiality within in-person and virtual settings

c. Identifies and addresses inequities related to race, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, mental or physical capacity/ability, citizenship status, political views, socioeconomic status, and the intersectionality of these and other sociocultural identities.

d. Ensures services are culturally sensitive, decolonizing, and non-discriminatory

e. Provides protection and advocacy

i. Recognizes, respects, and advocates for the rights of the children, youth, and families

ii. Supports individuals in advocating for their own rights and safety

f. Fosters self-determination and personal agency

g. Encourages children and youth’s participation within family and community, and facilitates the development of social networks

h. Recognizes that the life spaces of individuals and families involve physical, emotional, mental, and virtual domains (including social media, messaging, gaming, virtual work/school platforms, etc.)

i. Respects the diversity of life patterns and expectations

i. Affirms that there are differences in individual and family needs and meets these needs on an individual basis

ii. Ensures interactions reflect developmental age, status, understanding and capacity

iii. Adapts to individual needs when designing and implementing plans and programs (including developmental, intellectual, psychological, physical, social, cultural, and spiritual needs)

j. Values collaboration with colleagues and those from other disciplines

i. Makes referrals to other professionals as necessary and seeks assistance to ensure access to needed services

ii. Observes, assesses, and evaluates services/treatments prescribed or designed by other professionals

iii. Supports effective, respectful communication and engagement within and across systems (e.g., mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice, social services, education, etc.)

iv. Envisions youth, caregivers, and families as actors within systems of care

k. Maintains appropriate boundaries between professional and personal relationships to ensure wellness for service providers and recipients

i. Recognizes and adjusts for dynamics related to power, authority, and position

ii. Does not engage in harassment or sexual misconduct with a child, youth, or family member

iii. Clarifies expectations around social media connections and interactions

iv. Plans and prepares for transitions or conclusion of services in a manner sensitive to the needs and development of the youth and family

III. Commitment to Ethical Practice within Organizations

a. Responds to employer in a professional manner and seeks to resolve differences collaboratively

b. Treats colleagues with respect, courtesy, and equity

c. Models flexibility and inclusiveness in working with others

d. Respects the commitments made to the employer or employing organization

e. Alerts employer to knowledge of organizational or systemic barriers or inequities

f. Engages in data collection efforts and advocates for data-driven practice

IV. Commitment to Advancing the Field of Child and Youth Work

a. Acts in a professional manner toward colleagues

i. Seeks arbitration or mediation with colleagues as appropriate

ii. Reports ethical violations to appropriate individuals or boards when informal resolution is not appropriate or sufficient

b. Advances collaboration among professionals, children, youth, families, and communities to share responsibility for outcomes

c. Promotes professional practice in training and research activities to the degree that their role permits

i. Participates in education and training programs that are competently designed, implemented, and evaluated

ii. Participates in research that is of high quality and is designed, conducted, and reported in accordance with quality and ethical standards

d. Encourages newly hired and experienced practitioners to become knowledgeable of and able to apply the Code of Ethics as outlined in the Standards for Practice of North American Child and Youth Care Professionals

e. Contributes to the capacity of child and youth care professionals (e.g., practitioners, supervisors, administrators) to lead programs according to high-quality, ethical, trauma-informed practices

f. Contributes to the integrity of the profession

i. Upholds values and ethics, including responsible criticism of areas in need of improvement

ii. Participates in data collection efforts and dissemination activities designed to advance the CYC field (e.g., conference presentations, publications, etc.)

V. Commitment to Ethical Representation of the CYC Profession in the Community

a. Promotes awareness of the profession and advocates for the needs of children, youth, and families to the community

b. Models ethical behavior in relationships and interactions within in-person and virtual life spaces

c. Intentionally builds respect and appreciation of diversity, racial equality, social justice and cultural humility

d. Acknowledges and takes action to address systemic oppression and disparities related to gender, sexuality, race, and other intersectional aspects of social and political identities

e. Encourages informed participation by the public in shaping local, state, and national policy decisions affecting children, youth, and families

VI. Ethical Commitments of CYC Leadership

CYC supervisors, administrators, and other indirect practitioners have the responsibility to make the Standards for Practice of North American Child and Youth Care Professionals a living document in their organizations in a variety of ways including:

a. Recruiting and hiring the best available applicants

b. Orienting child and youth care practitioners to the Standards and providing ongoing training pertaining to ethical practice

c. Developing, reviewing, and adapting organizational policies that are consistent with the Standards

d. Implementing strategies to integrate the Standards into the organizational culture

e. Supporting direct and indirect child and youth care practitioners in their efforts to engage in ethical practice at all times

f. Acknowledging the role of the organization in promoting self-care and personal wellbeing

g. Advocating actively and continuously for equitable wages and working conditions

Download a Copy

Standards_for_Practice_of_NA_CYC_Professionals_Sept_2022_v2-7.pdf

CYCASK Bylaws

Adopted February 2023

Amended November 2025

ARTICLE 1: PREAMBLE

The Association:

The name of the Association shall be “Child and Youth Care Association of Saskatchewan” herein after referred to as the Association.

The By-Laws:

This document shall be the general Bylaws for the Provincial Association and shall regulate the business and affairs of the Association.

ARTICLE 2: TERMINOLOGY

2.1 Definitions:

a) “Association” shall mean the Child and Youth Care Association of Saskatchewan or acronym “CYCASK”.

b) “Bylaw” shall mean the By-Laws of this Association as amended.

c) “Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Association.

d) “Executive” shall mean the Executive Officers of the Board of Directors; President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

e) “Directors” shall mean any person elected to the Board of Directors.

f) “Acting” shall mean serving temporarily in an Executive Office position.

g) “Written Notice” shall mean via: mail, electronic mail, fax, email or otherwise electronically communicated.

2.2 Interpretation:

a) In all interpretation of these By-Laws of the Association, words in the singular include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular, words in one gender include all genders, and “person” includes an individual.

ARTICLE 3: OBJECTIVES

3.1 The objectives of the Association are as follows:

a) To promote the profession of Child and Youth Care.

b) To maintain a Code of Ethics, to govern members.

c) To promote, improve and maintain progressive standards of child and youth care and family services in Saskatchewan.

d) To act as an educational forum for the exchange of ideas and information between persons, agencies and programs involved in providing child and Youth Care services.

e) To provide specialized learning opportunities for its members.

f) To form liaisons with other Child and Youth Care Associations.

g) To promote the field of Child and Youth Care as a profession through the

development of standards and ethics for those working in the field.

3.2 Mission Statement

To promote and advance the profession of Child and Youth Care Work within Saskatchewan

ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be available to anyone meeting the following criteria:

Full membership is available to those persons who are currently involved in the development and/ or practice of Child and Youth Care work either full time or part time, in a manner considered to be of a professional nature. Full members are entitled to all privileges of membership including the opportunity to vote and hold office. Full members must possess a diploma or degree in Child and Youth Care Work or complete a certification process approved by the CYCASK or are in good standing with my employment in the field of Child and Youth Care

Student membership is available to those persons pursuing a course of study pertaining to the theory and practice of Child and Youth Care work. Student members are entitled to all privileges of full membership excluding the opportunity to hold office on the Board unless a position(s) is designated as a student representative.

Cost of Membership Full Membership will be an annual cost of $50

Student Membership will be an annual cost of $20

4.2 Membership Privileges:

a) Membership Privileges in the Association shall be effective annually from October 1 to September 30^t. Membership fees are due on October 1st of each fiscal year.

b) The membership fees are reviewed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

4.3 Membership in the Association shall be obtained by:

a) Submission of an application to the Association.

b) Payment of dues according to membership status. Annual membership fees will not be pro-rated.

c) Acceptance of the Association objectives and Code of Ethics.

d) Approval of membership by the Board of Directors.

4.4 Termination of Membership:

4.4.1 Membership shall cease automatically if:

a) A member resigns in writing.

b) A member is in arrears of payment for a period of 60 days.

c) Seventy-five percent (75%) of the Board of Directors, in attendance at a Board of Directors meeting, where quorum has been met, votes in favour of the termination of any member, based on the member violating the objectives and/ or Code of Ethics of the Association.

4.4.2 Appeal Process:

a) A person whose membership has been terminated and wishes to appeal the termination may submit a written request to the Board of Directors for a special meeting of the members within ninety (90) days of termination.

b) The member in question may choose to represent themselves or choose a member of the Association as their counsel, who shall be present at the Special meeting.

c) A Special Meeting will be called by the Board of Directors and will be held within sixty (60) days of receipt of written appeal.

4.4.3 Reinstatement of membership:

a) Reinstatement of membership would require seventy-five percent (75%) majority vote of those members in good standing at the special meeting.

b) If the terminated member chooses not to appeal their termination, they may apply for reinstatement no sooner than twelve (12) months following the termination of previous membership.

c) Upon receipt of application the Board of Directors will consider reinstatement based on the applicant meeting the criteria for membership and demonstrate that his/her present conduct does not violate the Code of Ethics nor is detrimental to the welfare of the Association.

ARTICLE 5: MEETINGS AND QUORUM

5.1 Meetings:

5.1.1 The Association shall hold an Annual General Meeting within ninety (90) days of the fiscal year end.

a) Written notice of this meeting shall be sent to all members especially those that are entitled to vote at the meeting; to each Director; and to the appointed auditor of the corporation; not less than fifteen (15) days or more than fifty (50) days before the meeting setting out the date, time, place and agenda for the meeting.

b) The date, time, place and agenda shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

5.1.2 Special meetings may be called upon with thirty (30) days written notice to the membership indicating the time, place and agenda of the meeting.

5.1.3 All special meetings shall be regulated by and operated within the confines of the current Bylaws, and the procedural guidelines shall be Robert’s Rules of Order.

5.1.4 All Board Directors shall be informed at least seven (7) days prior to all Board Meetings unless an emergent issue must be resolved more quickly.

5.1.5 A minimum of two (2) regular board meetings to be held annually.

5.1.6 Board meetings are open to the membership.

5.1.7 In camera may be called to have no non-voting members present during a meeting.

5.2 Quorum:

5.2.1 Five (5) Full members in good standing shall constitute a quorum at any General Meeting.

5.2.2 If a quorum is not present the meeting will be adjourned for fifteen (15) minutes. At that time the meeting will be called to order and those members present will constitute a quorum.

5.2.3 Any member, who has not withdrawn from membership nor has been suspended or expelled as herein provided, shall have the right to vote on any matter at any General Meeting.

5.2.4 Fifty percent (50%) of the Board of Directors shall constitute quorum of any meetings of the Board of Directors, properly called and constituted.

ARTICLE 6 VOTING

6.1 Voting Eligibility:

6.1.1 Full and Student membership status will be able to vote at any type of meeting held such as Annual General meeting, Special or Board meetings.

6.1.2 Organizational membership will only have voting privileges at the Annual General meeting.

6.1.3 All voting members must hold a current membership and in good standings of the Association.

6.2 All meetings would follow Robert’s Rule of Order. At the discretion of the President or Chairperson voting will be conducted either by a show of hands or shall be by ballot.

ARTICLE 7 DIRECTORS OF THE ASSOCIATION

7.1 Board of Directors:

7.1.1 Management of Association:

a) The Board of Directors governs and manages the affairs of the Association.

b) The Board of Directors may contact professionals as deemed necessary to carry out the strategic directions of the Association.

c) Unless authorized at a meeting of the Board of Directors no officer or member of the Association shall receive any remuneration for his/her services to the Association.

7.1.2 Duties of the Board of Directors:

a) To promote the objectives of the Association.

b) To govern all fiduciary functions of the Association.

c) To make decisions on policy and procedural issues.

d) To act as the decision-making authority on governance issues of the Association and its members.

e) To act as a liaison with Governments, industry, and communities.

f) Appoint legal counsel as necessary.

g) All committees shall be chaired by Board Members.

h) Directors will serve as full voting members of the Board of Directors and will perform such duties as may be required from time to time by the Board of Directors.

7.1.3 Composition of the Board:

a) The Executive Officers of the Board of Directors shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

b) The Board of Directors shall consist of the Executive Officers, a maximum of four (4) Directors and four (4) Members at Large which may include a student position.

c) The President of the outgoing Board of Directors shall additionally be appointed to the incoming Board of Directors as Past President and will be a non-voting member on the Board of Directors.

d) All Board Members must be members in good standings of the Association.

7.1.4 Terms of Directors:

a) The term of an Executive Officer is two (2) years.

b) The term of a Director is three (3) years.

c) The term of Past President is held until another Past President is appointed.

7.1.5 Duties of Past President

a) Provide advice and leadership to the Board of Directors regarding past practices and other matters to assist the Board in governing the Association.

7.2 Executive Officers Duties and Responsibilities:

7.2.1 President:

a) Oversee the affairs and operations of the Association.

b) Chair all meetings of the Association.

c) Motivate and support the Directors.

d) Coordinate compilation of Association’s Annual report.

e) Assume responsibilities of monitoring the Association Executive Boards positions.

f) Keep well informed on the activities of the Association.

g) Has signing authority of the Association.

7.2.2 Vice President:

a) Will perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President.

b) Chair meetings in the absence of the President.

c) Shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors.

d) Has signing authority of the Association.

7.2.3 Secretary:

a) Ensure that all Board of Directors are informed of meetings.

b) Ensure that all minutes from Board of Directors meetings and general meeting are recorded and circulated to the corresponding recipients.

c) Ensure that Board Members and Members are informed of upcoming meetings as according to the timelines outlined in Bylaws Article 5.

d) Give and serve notices to members of the Association.

e) Keep minutes and records; including memberships of the Association.

7.2.4 Treasurer:

a) Oversee all of the financial matters of the Association including but not limited to:

I. Oversee and present for approval, financial budgets.

II. Oversee and present financial reports.

III. Ensure monthly financial reports are submitted to the Secretary for the Association records.

IV. Monitor all financial activities- receipts, disbursements and invoices.

V. Ensure that financial statements are audited.

b) Has signing authority of the Association.

c) Other duties as determined by the Board of Directors.

7.3 Removal of a Director:

a) Any member of the Board of Directors may be removed from office by a vote of seventy-five percent (75%) majority of the voting membership in good standing at any General meeting.

b) Any member of the Board of Directors that fails to attend three (3) consecutive Board of Director’s Meetings will be deemed to have resigned.

c) Any Director removed from office will be given written documentation stating reason for dismissal.

7.4 A person ceases to be a Director when:

a) Completes a term at the time of the Annual General Meeting.

b) Resigns as a Director.

c) Ceases to be a Canadian resident.

d) Dies.

7.5 Director Vacancy:

a) The Association Executive shall have the authority to fill any vacancy that may occur on the Executive or a Director position between General Meetings.

ARTICLE 8 STANDING COMMITTEES

8.1 The Board of Directors shall establish Standing and Ad Hoc Committees to facilitate the development and maintenance of the Association goals and objectives.

8.2 The following Standing Committees are hereby established:

8.2.1 Executive Committee:

a) Shall consist of the Executive Officers of the Association and shall have power to act in emergencies between meetings of the Board of Directors.

8.3 The following Standing Committees may be established:

8.3.1 Professional Development Committee:

a) Supports, enhances and promotes the importance of Professional Development in the field of Child and Youth Care.

8.3.2 Membership and Partnership Committee:

a) Increase recruitment and retention of members and establish partnerships with agencies, organizations, and community programs.

8.4 Standing Committees shall be chaired by an Association’s designated Board of Director member and are required to:

a) Provide a report which shall be an agenda item at each board meeting.

b) Appoint the Treasurer to review finances and budgets if required.

c) Oversee contract positions when required.

8.5 Committee Members will be members of the Association, with the exception of experts or required representatives.

a) All committee members will be approved by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 9 NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

9.1 Nominations:

9.1.1 No later than one (1) month prior to the Annual General Meeting a member of the Executive shall prepare and distribute to the membership a notice describing the nominations, election procedures and inviting nominations for the open positions of the Board of Directors.

9.1.2 Information on eligible candidates for the Board of Directors shall be collected no less than two (2) weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting and election at which point no other nominations will be accepted.

9.1.3 Nominations from the floor will only be accepted if there are no nominations for empty seats as process states in Article 9.1.2.

9.1.4 An Executive seat may only be held by a member who has sat on the Board of Directors in a Director position for no less than one (1) year.

9.1.5 A member of the Association may hold an Executive seat should there be no other person eligible as per Article 9.1.4 and is voted in unanimously by the remaining members of the Board of Directors.

9.2 Elections:

9.2.1 The election of the Board of Directors shall be held during the Annual General Meeting.

9.2.2 The election of the Executive shall be staggered and will continue to alternate by term, such that the President and Secretary will be elected on odd years and the Vice President and Treasurer will be elected on even years.

9.2.3 There shall be one ballot per member for each of the Executive office position that is open for election. The candidate with the largest number of votes shall be declared elected.

ARTICLE 10 FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

10.1 The Treasurer shall submit a statement of accounts for Association records at the end of each fiscal year.

10.2 The fiscal year of the Association shall end on the 30th day of September and begin on the first 1st day of October.

10.3 Two (2) of the three (3) designated signing authorities from the Executive must sign all cheques on behalf of the Association. Two signatures are required.

10.4 At the Annual General Meeting, members may appoint an auditor who is not a member of the Association nor benefits in any way other than to render the audit.

10.4.1 The members of the Association may resolve not to appoint an auditor.

10.4.2 Resolution is not valid unless it is consented to by not less than 80% of the members, including those not otherwise entitled to vote, who vote on the resolution.

10.5 The resolution pursuant to this section is valid only until the next annual meeting of members.

ARTICLE 11 RECORD KEEPING

11.1 The Association shall prepare and maintain, at its registered office or at any other place in Saskatchewan designated by the directors; records containing:

11.1.1 The articles and the bylaws, and all amendments to them, and a copy of any unanimous member agreement.

11.1.2 Minutes of meetings and resolutions of members.

11.1.3 A register of members entitled to vote, containing names, systematically arranged in a manner capable of producing information about all members of the Association and the date on which each member became or ceased to be a member.

11.1.4 The Association prepares and maintains adequate accounting records.

11.2 Member of an Association, their agents and legal representatives and Directors may examine records and may make copies free of charge, and any other person may do so on payment of a reasonable fee.

11.3 The Secretary of the Association will keep or cause to be kept the seal of the Association.

ARTICLE 12 AMENDMENTS OF THE BYLAWS

12.1 A member entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting may propose to make, amend or repeal a Bylaw.

12.2 Amendments to the Bylaws need to be passed with two-thirds majority vote of voting members present at the Annual General Meeting.

12.3 The mover of the amendment to the Bylaws to the Bylaws must provide a written notice to the Board of Directors at least 21 days prior to the Annual General meeting and to all members of the Association at least 15 days before the Annual General meeting.

ARTICLE 13 LIQUIDATION AND DISSOLUTION

13.1 In the event of the dissolution of the Association, funds and assets of the Association remaining after paying all debts shall be given or transferred to such organization or organizations promoting the same objectives as this Association.

13.2 Dissolution and distribution of assets must be presented to the membership via written notice and shall be deemed approved should no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the membership object within thirty (30) days.

13.3 Members will be notified fourteen (14) days prior to the dissolution of the Association.

** The Child and Youth Care Association of Saskatchewan would like to acknowledge the writers of the Child and Youth Care Workers’ Association of Manitoba bylaws as these were referenced during the writing of these bylaws in March 2016.

“Professional Child and Youth Care is committed to promoting the well-being of children, youth, and families in a context of respect and collaboration.”

Member Associations

Canadian Council of Child and Youth Care Associations

The Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations is the national networking organization representing child and youth care professionals in Canada through their provincial associations.

Alberta

Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta (CYCAA) www.cycaa.com

British Columbia

Child and Youth Care Association of British Columbia (CYCABC) https://cycabc.com/

Manitoba

Children and Youth Care Worker’s Association of Manitoba (CYCWAM) http://cycwam.org/

Newfoundland and Labrador

Child and Youth Care Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (CYCANL) https://cycanl.ca/

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Child and Youth Care Workers Association (NSCYCWA) https://www.nscycwa.org/

Ontario

Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC) https://oacyc.org/

Team

Scott Dakiniewich (President)

Hi, I'm Scott Dakiniewich, a family man with over 20 years of experience in child and youth care. I completed my Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2009, followed by my Master of Social Work degree in 2018, and most recently, my MBA in 2022.

I started my career at Ranch Ehrlo Society, where I gained valuable experience in child and youth care work. I then moved on to Eagle's Nest Youth Ranch, where I have been working since 2009, providing care and support to young people in need. I currently serve as the Director at Eagle's Nest Youth Ranch.

In addition to my work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and four young children, traveling, bike riding, and playing ball hockey. While I wouldn't call myself an avid reader, I enjoy keeping up with the latest research and trends in social work and child and youth care.

I'm also passionate about teaching and sharing my knowledge with others. I have been teaching in the youth care worker program at Great Plains College since 2018, where I help prepare the next generation of youth care workers to make a positive impact in the lives of young people.

I'm committed to positively impacting young people and their families, both through my work at Eagle's Nest Youth Ranch and through teaching and mentoring others in the field.

Ebube Azoro (Treasurer)

My name is Ebube Azoro. I hold a Bachelor's degree in business economics from the University of Saskatchewan. Since the completion of my degree, I have been involved in a variety of roles where I was responsible for providing strategic solutions to meet the needs of various stakeholders.

I transitioned into the world of child and youth care when I joined Eagles nest youth ranch as a youth care worker. This affords me the opportunity to continuously make an impact in the lives of children and youth in need. I am also currently a service assistant at BMO Nesbitt burns where I assist with the daily administration of client's accounts.

I am a fitness enthusiast who maintains an active lifestyle during his leisure time. I also enjoy spending time with close friends and family.

Baily Strachan (Vice President)

Hello, I’m Bailey Strachan a proud Métis woman, born and raised in Saskatchewan. My journey in the field of Child and Youth Care has been a rich and fulfilling one. In 2013, I earned my diploma in Youth Care Work from Saskatchewan Polytechnic, this path led me to complete my Bachelor's Degree in Child and Youth Care Work at MacEwan University in 2015.

Throughout my career, I've been privileged to support children, youth, and families in a variety of settings, including Inpatient Care, Child and Adolescent Group Homes, non-profit organizations, Schools, and the Early Learning sector. In 2019, I took on a new role as a lead instructor for the Youth Care Worker program at Great Plains College. In this capacity, I am dedicated to using my passion, knowledge, and experiences to guide students on their educational journey, always viewing their growth through the lens of Child and Youth Care.

My commitment to making a positive impact goes beyond the professional realm. I am actively involved with non-profit organizations in Saskatchewan, such as Youth Matter Canada and TeensTalkYxe, where I contribute to child, youth, and mental health programming, emphasizing the importance of a trauma-informed approach.

In all my work, I prioritize the creation of safer spaces and meaningful professional relationships with my students and anyone who invites me into their life space. These principles are central to my approach to empowering and nurturing the growth of those I serve.

I am truly honored to be a part of the Child and Youth Care Association of Saskatchewan, where I have the opportunity to contribute to the well-being and growth of not only children and youth but also the professionals who work alongside them. This association provides a wonderful platform for collaboration with like-minded professionals, enabling us to collectively make a positive impact on the lives of children, youth, and families in our community.

Nicole Erb

My name is Nicole Erb, and I am honoured to say that I was born and raised on treaty 6 Territory the Homeland of the Metis people. I hold a Youth Care Worker Certificate and a Bachelor’s Degree in Indigenous Social Work. I have extensive experience and education working with children and youth.

I have a variety of work experience working with children and youth in group homes, youth treatment centres and providing therapy and workshops to individuals under the age of 18. I am a strong believer in advocating for youth and ensuring they have a voice. I have worked with youth in Northern Saskatchewan, however worked with youth provincially and federally. While working in a youth treatment centre, I was able to develop a crisis support team where we worked in Norther Ontario supporting individuals and communities that were going through a suicide epidemic.

In June 2022, my sister and I opened the doors to Evergreen Oasis Counselling & Consulting Inc. in Shellbrook, SK. I support youth at the Shellbrook office and provide mobile supports in neighbouring communities. I have provided workshops and support groups for youth. This allows a safe environment for individuals to have a voice, talk about their struggles and allows others to support each other. I also provide one-to-one supports to children and youth who struggle with but not limited to school, family dynamics, mental health, addictions, and suicidal ideations. It is very important to collaborate with other professionals to ensure children and youth are being supported. I am continuing working towards breaking barriers to ensure children and youth are receiving the necessary supports.

Kadane Headley (Secretary)

My name is Kadane Headley, and I am a dedicated and certified Child and Youth Care practitioner committed to promoting well-being and mental health for children and adolescents. With a background spanning local, provincial, and national youth-serving programs and diverse experiences in group home settings and psychiatric care. My journey in Child and Youth Care is marked by a diverse range of experiences, from youth engagement initiatives to program development and acute care inpatient psychiatric units. These opportunities have equipped me with unique insights and skills, fostering my adaptability in the dynamic child and youth care field. I hold a Child and Youth Care Counseling Diploma from Mount Royal University, a Bachelor of Child and Youth Care Degree from Macewan, and a Masters in Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care from McMaster University. This academic foundation and my dedication to ongoing learning enable me to provide relational, comprehensive care to the children and adolescents I work alongside. In addition to my formal education and other professional development, I have completed 200t hours of yoga teacher training and have experience teaching yoga to children and youth. I am working towards connecting and collaborating with fellow professionals in the field. Learning from shared experiences and collectively providing resources allows us to positively impact the lives of the children and youth, families and caregivers in our community. In my commitment to enhancing my practice, I conscientiously acknowledge the profound impacts and effects of colonization and displacement on Indigenous, Métis, and Black communities in Saskatchewan and across the country. Recognizing the importance of continuous learning, I approach my work with cultural humility, striving to understand the complex intersections that influence the lives of the individuals where I live and work. This awareness propels me to contribute towards creating a more inclusive and equitable environment in my professional endeavours.

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