Throughout his child and youth care career, Matthew Halton found himself on multidisciplinary teams working alongside social workers, family support workers, advocates, parole officers, First Nations representatives, psychologists and therapists. But, ironically, there was one group he rarely found himself on a team with. His child and youth care colleagues.

“It isn’t very often that we find a space focused on the practice of child and youth care,” says the assistant professor in the Department of Child and Youth Care. “Even when working in very busy, intensive, collaborative teams, I sometimes felt professionally isolated.”

It turns out he wasn’t alone. When Halton teamed up with faculty colleagues at NorQuest College to create a new space dedicated to child and youth care conversations, the response was far greater than they ever imagined.

Over the past year, more than 20 organizations – from First Nations organizations to Boys and Girls Clubs to organizations that provide animal and even bug therapy – have met four times, alternating between MacEwan’s and NorQuest’s campuses. However, the success of this community of practice is about more than just showing up.

“The community tells us what's important to them, what they want to wrestle with and what they want to work through together,” he says. 

Those conversations aren’t necessarily what you might expect. Child and youth care professionals work with clients who are often referred to as vulnerable, troubled or high-risk youth and families. Given that description, says Halton, it might seem like there would be lots of bad news to share, but it’s quite the opposite.

“We've got young people who are thriving in the face of all kinds of adversity, and child and youth care professionals want to share and celebrate those stories,” says Halton. 

Community of practice meetings also include conversations about strategies and resources and, fittingly, how to put new ideas into practice.

“We often get into small groups and try things out. It might feel a bit strange at first because we’re all from different organizations and don't necessarily know each other, but we very quickly find common ground, a shared understanding and a common language.“

Halton says that sense of community is important for his students to see and something they can learn from, so MacEwan’s third- and fourth-year Bachelor of Child and Youth Care students are invited to these meetings. Seeing those students working alongside community members – many of whom are alumni – and being able to share the expertise that lives in his own department feels incredible, says Halton. 

“MacEwan and NorQuest are critical parts of the child and youth care community in Edmonton, and the whole intent of this community of practice is to cast a wide net and come together to share, learn and build. I am truly humbled to see how engaged and passionate people are.”