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Engaging marginalized youngsters in the mainstream society poses a great challenge for child and youth-care (CYC) workers. Workers' ability to promote significant inclusion of these adolescents is largely shaped in process of their professional education. Most academic programs for CYC workers define the profession too broadly, and this lack of specification, reflecting the scope and complexity of the field, could have a negative impact on the inclusion-aimed process of professionalization. This opinion note aims at opening a discussion about a new, inclusion-focused perspective on higher professional education of CYC workers. This discussion could suggest a refinement of CYC curricula to reflect specific characteristics of the target populations as well as consider some core concepts of the field of child and youth care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pilot project in Israel, regarding parent’s involvement in their children’s education in residential care was evaluated. The dual goals were changing staff’s attitudes toward parents, and empowering parents. During the school year, parents were invited to participate in bi-weekly dynamic group workshops in the residence (parents only and parents–children), and to 3–4 “Family Days,” in addition to sharing special parent–child summer camps. Results indicate considerable success: children, parents, and staff felt that the project had improved their ability to deal successfully with their everyday challenges, with parents viewing themselves as having been most rewarded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with a somehow 'forgotten' factor in the discussion about professionalization of the child and youth care field. It is a major and most influential component in every social reality--economic considerations. It is obvious that professionalization costs a lot of money, a fact that is creating strong opposition from various social partners. This factor has not always been taken into consideration, seriously enough, in the discussion about professionalization. Unfortunately, it might become a source for serious problems in the long run. Some examples are already known, like the reduction in the number of children in residential care in many countries. It is argued that instead of debating against or for professionalization of the field, innovative models have to be invented that look at professionalism as a continuum, with minimum and maximum boundaries. These new models have to implement differential levels of professionalism, in the planning of all services for children and youth in need of care, taking economic considerations into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pays tribute to educator and child and care pioneer Meir Gottesmann who died on August 12, 2000.

Provides information on articles about educator and child and youth care pioneer Meir Gottesmann. Organizations central to Gottesmann's life; Overview of the topics written by the article authors.