DEPARTMENT of CHILD and YOUTH CARE
Community of Practice
Caring for children and youth is a relational, political and social practice—one that thrives through connection, reflection and shared learning.
MacEwan University’s Department of Child and Youth Care and NorQuest College’s Child and Youth Care program are proud co‐hosts of the Edmonton Child and Youth Care Community of Practice (CoP). This collaborative venture welcomes students, alumni, faculty and practitioners. Participants explore emerging issues, share practical resources and strengthen connections in the child and youth care community. The CoP bridges academic learning and practice in the field and aligns these with the realities of direct client practice.
Join peers and professionals at the next Child and Youth Care Community of Practice event. Explore current issues, share insights and strengthen your connections to the field.
Date: September 24, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Location: MacEwan University
Contact Matthew Halton for more information
Get involved
Community Representative
The Community Representative is a one‐year leadership opportunity for Community of Practice members. The representative works alongside the Leadership Team to contribute to planning and development, bring forward member perspectives and ideas and support activities, projects and initiatives that strengthen the child and youth care community.
The role supports the CoP’s commitment to shared, relational and collaborative leadership by creating another way for members to contribute to the ongoing development of the Community of Practice.
Frequently asked questions
The next Community of Practice gatherings will be:
September 2026
Date: September 24, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Location: MacEwan University
February 2027
Date: February 10, 2027
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: NorQuest College
June 2027
Date: June 1, 2027
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Location: MacEwan University
All child and youth care professionals (students, alumni, faculty, practitioners) and allied helping professionals in the Edmonton region are welcome to attend.
CoP is free and open to anyone studying or working in child and youth care in Edmonton and area. There is no registration fee.
Just yourself. We provide printed handouts, name tags and refreshments. You can bring a notebook or digital device for note-taking.
We welcome proposals from members. Feel free to chat with us at the next CoP gathering to discuss your ideas.
These are some past gathering topics.
2026
- Sexual and Gender Minority Legislation and impacts on young people
- Experiences and Outcomes of Generative AI on youth and CYC practice
2025
- Decolonizing CYC with Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
- Who are we, anyway? Defining CYC and communities of practice
- Creative therapies and case consultations
2024
- CYC success stories interviews: What is working for you?
- Overcoming challenges and barriers in CYC
- Introduction to the community of practice
Contact
For more information, contact:
Matthew Halton
haltonm@macewan.ca
Jaclyn Wickens
jaclyn.wickens@norquest.ca