Rhode Island Training Academy

The Rhode Island Training Academy:

Is a Workforce Development program for residential and various day programs serving children, youth, and families in Rhode Island and the Greater New England Area.  The Training Academy is sponsored and administered by RICORP. Various outside training entities conduct training events. 

The US Dept. of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship (March 11, 2024) has recognized Child and Youth Care Practitioner as an official occupation      (O*NET-SOC CODE: 21-1093.00 – RAPIDS Code: 3073CB). This is a heavily revised, updated version of the Rhode Island Training Academy, conforming to current standards, as first proposed in 1998 by the former Walker Trieschman Center (part of CWLA).

The Training Academy is primarily dedicated to training new Child and Youth Care Practitioners (CYCP), apprentices entering the CYCP occupation, and existing seasoned direct care workers, volunteers, supervisors, and program directors. Other mental health professionals are welcomed (CEUs will be offered). 

Ultimately CYCPs with enhanced career awareness will facilitate and bolster their profession using evidence-based/best practices available, including various other pertinent resources. 

Training event dates, times, and fees will be timely posted, with email and/or postal mailing notifications. Application and fees can be returned to the address listed below.

The Training Location: 

The Training Academy's main office and training  location is at the:

       Washington Park Community Center

       42 Jillson St. 

      Providence, RI 02905

      401-568-6412

     Go to Contact Us - Application page

Training may also take place at other locations, including on-site at agency facilities. The Training Academy is a part-time program, providing most training sessions on a continual  “as needed” basis.

The National Association of Child and Youth Care Practice (NACYCP)                    nacycp.org endorses national certification for all CYCPs. All trainees enrolled in the Training Academy's core training "Effective Child and Youth Care Practice (Beginning and Advanced Skills)" will have an automatic one-year membership with NACYCP.  RICORP will also assist trainees with the application to the Child and Youth Care Certification Board (CYCCB) for national certification. Certification levels include:

             Entry Level

             Associate Level

             Professional Level

RICORP, New England Training Associates, and other training entities are committed to the Training Academy. The Core Training, Supplemental, and Advanced Training are for all levels of direct care workers in residential, day treatment, and community programs. Even though many regulatory agencies do not have complete certification requirements for direct care workers, this training aligns with national standards (NACYCP) nacycp.org for best practices. 

The Training Academy’s ultimate goal: assuring safe therapeutic care and treatment for the most vulnerable and at-risk children, youth, and families will be achieved through comprehensive training and national credentialing  that build workforce competence. 

Family preservation, returning youth to home or community, foster placement, or independent living is an important goal of most service providers. Competent well-trained nationally certified Child and Youth Care Practitioners will assist, enable, and support attaining the best outcomes for all children, youth and families that provider agencies strive to achieve.

Rational

It is well known that youth workers, who spend the most direct care time with children and youth (mre than 55%), are usually the least trained staff in the hierarchy of social service professionals. Yet these staff are usually the most difficult to get to training because they are always with the kids. With direct care staff taking on increased responsibilities (as agencies try to provide more with less), this core training is essential. 

The staff with the most untrained skills will provide the greatest percentage of care to vulnerable children and youth. Working with the greatest personal intensions and compassion is not enough.  

Working directly with troubled youth requires patience, physical stamina, and long working hours. A knowledge base of troubled children care is very helpful.  

 It takes a while for the new, inexperienced, and untrained youth worker to understand their role working with the array of the related professionals that serve these troubled youth. Direct care youth workers make critical in-the- moment life decisions in order to de-escalate rising tensions  or counsel vital self-disclosure information of troubled youth (with no time to consult the related professionals). They must eventually communicate with the other youth helping professions and understand case management treatment guidelines, or new treatment directives issued by these professionals. A new hire who worked as a delivery person two weeks ago may have a little trouble grasping the technical implications communicated to them in a timely way.

They may deal with the child or youth 24/7 and must dutifully and intelligently fulfill all treatment guidelines and instructions issued by any of the above mentioned professionals. They must also provide feedback on treatment results and behavior reporting. The related professionals keep a dedicated ear on the CYCP’s feedback of client interactions and behavior which is critical to updating therapy plans. Reliable and highly professional CYCPs must carry out their part of the mission. It’s professional Team Work.

Tons of money is expended on continual recruitment, orientation, and background criminal records check. Passing a criminal record background check is important, but should not be the only criteria of a successful hire. We believe having untrained, uncertified staff is an open gate to a host of bad outcomes for the children and youth in care. It is unacceptable. 

Flexibility

Attempting to send multiple amounts of staff for training can be a complex circumstance. If at all possible, the Training Academy will work with agencies sending numerous staff to find the best scheduling situation. It is also understood that agencies may require particular training components outside the basic curriculum and the Training Academy will attempt to build in such requirements if necessary.  The Training Academy will remain flexible with staffing realities as best as possible.
 

Effective  Child and Youth Care Practice (Beginning and Advanced Skills) is core training for new and seasoned youth workers. This training augments and complements all agency in-house training. The Training Academy's core curriculum is based on the Ethics and Standards of Practice of CYCCB, along with the five core competencies leading to national certification include:

       I. Professionalism

      II. Cultural & Human Diversity

      III. Applied Human Development

     IV. Relationship & Communication

     V. Developmental Practice Methods

Core Training relies on many textbooks and  publications on Child and Youth Care Practices developed by Child and Youth Care academics, scholars and national trainers.  Instruction provides proven strategies to equip staff for the most difficult operations and clientele cases. Most agencies and staff are committed to providing the best services for their youth and families and this training attempts to get everyone  striving for the best outcomes.

In 2015, CYCCB, NACYCP, and the University of Pittsburgh co-sponsored a symposium (an international gathering of over 35 higher educators from child and youth work degree programs). The meeting was attended by representatives from colleges and universities in the US, Canada, and Scotland. Over time, this effort is expected to guide the development of a linked higher education system that offers widespread access to high-quality child and youth work education. 

The Training Academy partners with  several training entities providing the curriculum, instruction, and resources for compressive training. 

·   New England Training Associates   (neassoc.com)

·   Training Academy for Competent Youth Work (Texas) (youthworkacademy.org/)  

·   National Association of Child and Youth Care Practice   (nacycp.org) 

·  Starr Commonwealth

·   CYC Source   (cyc-source.com)   

·  The International Child and Youth Care Network CYC-Net   (cyc.net.org)  

·   Red Cross / Health & Safety Institute / American Heart

·   Others TBD

RICORP will assist with certification applications and provide local Proctor exam and counseling as needed for certification.

RICORP will post all individuals receiving certification status.

RICORP will also assist with DOL Apprenticeship Programs.

For Related Research and Publications visit CYCCB                                               cyccb.org/resources/related-research-and-publications.