In 2002 representatives from private residential child caring facilities, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Cabinet for Families and Children, Eastern Kentucky University , and Children’s Alliance formed a work group, now known as Kentucky Youth Care Professionals, Inc., to develop a youth worker certification system in Kentucky . Over the past two years, KYCP , Inc. developed a four level certification framework, which is modeled after a national youth worker certification system currently being piloted in two states. KYCP, Inc. is committed to developing a youth worker certification program that will improve the quality of services provided to children and families by elevating the core knowledge, skills, credentials and professionalism of today’s youth workers.
What’s in it for my agency?
- Competent and skilled youth workers to provide high quality care to youth in state and privately-operated residential and detention facilities.
- Opportunity to develop a career ladder and other incentives for youth workers based on acquisition of certification levels.
- Certified Youth Care Professionals (CYCP Levels I, II, III, and IV) transferring from other agencies will require less training and orientation than individuals new to the field. Certification will develop professional standards and practices. If someone is hired by your agency as a CYCP I, II, III, or IV not only will you know they have experience in the field, but that they have been certified by a board of their peers to possess the knowledge, skills and competencies they need to work with troubled youth.
- Higher staff retention due to commitment to the field. Youth worker turnover is a significant problem. An individual invested in his or her profession will, potentially, remain in the field rather than perceive youth work as a stepping stone to “something better.”
What’s in it for the youth worker?
- Recognition as a professional.
- Assessed and certified competencies, knowledge and skills to work with troubled youth work.
- An opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to youth work.
- Once certification is achieved, there will be opportunities to mentor other youth workers seeking professional certification.
What this certification is not:
- Another training program. Agencies spend thousand of dollars each year in providing training to youth workers. This certification process will enable agencies to continue doing what they do. It only provides a means for youth workers to be assessed on their level of competence and skills in working with youth in care.
- An attempt to unionize youth work or create a trade organization for the field. Developers of the certification process are comprised of staff from state and private residential and detention facilities. An independent Certification Review Committee administers and oversee the certification process. The fees assessed for certification will be used to handle the administrative functions of the process. KYCP , Inc. has developed a fee scale and administration process.
- An attempt to regulate youth work. The goal of a certification system is to create more competent and educated youth work professionals. The developers of the certification system want to ensure the competencies and standards lead the profession rather than allowing licensing and regulatory bodies to interpret and mandate what they become.