CYFS 495 - Program Development and Capstone Project

5.0 Credits
Course evaluates components of program development in early childhood education and social services. Best practices of the discipline are assessed and applied to creating new programs, sustaining existing models, adapting to changes, incorporating innovation, and integration of services for the benefit and development of children, youth, and adults that are served.
Prerequisite Admission to BAS Program. Permit code required.
Course-level Learning Objectives (CLOs)

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Construct the vision and mission of an identified program in relation to outcomes developed or required for: infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, prevention services for youth, and support services for adults and families.
Formulate how to be inclusive and representative of the community in program design and implementation, that are adaptive to individual and group settings, determined by the discipline and emerging needs of the population.
Determine content of program to optimally create the environment and that encourages learning and development appropriate to the specific best practices and responsibilities of programs in early childhood or social services.
Create intentionality in program design through strategies of observation, assessment, and reflection that informs planning that is responsive to program goals and learning frameworks of individual children, youth, and families.
Recommend skills and benefits of collaboration and integration of service in programs for young children, youth, and families that strengthen quality and invite innovation.
Assess knowledge of strategic planning for non-profit and for-profit programs, grant support, in-kind contributions, and other community funding sources and partnerships.
Evaluate how quality early learning and social services programs benefit the community through the positive support of child and youth development and facilitation of individuals and families successfully fulfilling their goals.
Create and defend an individual research-based project in program development with professional application to early education or social services settings.