RIACYCP

Several states and provinces throughout North America have professional associations for Child and Youth Care Practitioners. RICORP is home for the Rhode Island Association of Child and Youth Care Practitioners (RIACYCP). As a statewide organization of Child and Youth Care Practitioners, the Rhode Island Association will provide support, involvement, and communication with others in the profession.  These associations of child and youth professionals promote the cutting edge of best practices and professional ethics for its members. 

RICORP would like to lead the way for the development of the Rhode Island Association of Child and Youth Care Professionals. Many of these state and provincial associations plan staff development and education programs, while also providing consultation and technical assistance. The educational programs can be held in conjunction with RICORP's professional certification process with the National Child and Youth Certification Board (CYCCB). 

Members are encouraged, but not required, to become certified.

“As a starting  point, all it really takes to be a successful youth and child care provider is a big heart.”

Those of us who have dedicated our careers to the service of youth and children understand just how misleading or not fully understood what our profession has become. We  know in fact that effective outcomes require education, knowledge,  skill, experience, techniques, resources, and yes, compassion. We’ve  learned that our profession requires the same competencies demanded in  both business and government positions. There are many and varied challenges which we, as direct care providers, all face and master on a daily basis. 

There are also numerous individual stories covering a broad spectrum of services and programs for children and youth in various state and/or local facilities and agencies. Child and Youth workers carry similar personal histories of struggle,  achievement, sacrifice, adaptation, innovation, and resiliency. We often ask for little, yet give much.

From child daycare,  school,  to after-school programs, whether residential or community-based, we use every imaginable resource to meet the direct and indirect needs of each new generation of those in these special settings. Yet, all too often, we’ve had to find our way to competency, sometimes with little formal support or encouragement. RICACYCP believes we can change perceptions with more public awareness of our profession. We are more than just baby sitters. 

Whether you’re exploring career options, newly employed, or celebrating another milestone, we want to help light the way. We wish to provide the resources and support, where, how, and when you need it. By giving you access to training specialized just for you, we help you develop key competencies, which improve program outcomes. Better outcomes reduce errors and stress, while nurturing the spirit, which brought you to this work in the first place. We battle isolation and burnout by connecting you with a statewide network of supportive peers. 

RIACYCP wants to advocate for you as a professional in both public and private venues. We will celebrate your victories and rally to your challenges. Members will meet regularly, select leadership, communicate and plan their agenda.

The goal of RIACYCP is to help  maintain the high quality of care that promotes the physical,  intellectual, emotional, and social development of children  and youth by: 

• Promoting national certification with the National Child and Youth Certification Board (CYCCB).
•  Child and Youth Care Practitioners (CYCPs) promotes opportunities to collaborate, provide leadership, advocate, and learn with other practitioners. By definition, a certified practitioner is a member of the professional community. Participation in this community is expected. 
• Supports awareness of the child and youth care profession.
•  The RI Training Academy offers an ethics code for practitioners and endorses the Standards for Practice of North American CYC Professionals.
• Represents and advocates for Child and Youth Care Practitioners.
• Providing an opportunity for input into legislation and policies concerning children.
• Providing a statewide information/assistance network.
• Providing an opportunity for involvement, support, and communication with other related professions and the community at large.
•  Offers opportunities to: keep up-to-date with developments in foundational and specialized areas of child and youth care practice; and participate in education and training opportunities 
• Provide news and events that are important to the members.
• Provide awards and celebrations for great child and youth workers.

All RIACYCP members will be provided proof of professional association membership when submitting a CYCCB certification application, which is a requirement for certification.