WELCOME TO NACYCP

The National Association for Child & Youth Care Professionals (NACYCP) is a membership organization of Child & Youth Care practitioners, service providers, and state and regional associations committed to improving the profession of child and youth care (CYC).

ABOUT NACYCP

The National Association for Child and Youth Care Professionals (NACYCP) represents practitioners across all sectors of the child and youth care (CYC) profession. Our members serve in diverse settings, including early childhood education, schools, out-of-school-time programs, child welfare, congregate care, mental health, transitional living, employment services, runaway and homeless youth services, recreation, juvenile justice, community-based programs, and developmental disabilities.

NACYCP members fulfill critical roles such as direct care and developmental support, casework, supervision, teaching, mentoring, coaching, administration, policy development, and research.

Mission
NACYCP engages practitioners in building the child and youth care profession by fostering collaboration, advancing training and education, shaping public policy, and promoting research-informed practice.

Vision
We envision a society that recognizes and supports the essential role of child and youth care professionals in ensuring the well-being and success of children, youth, and families. NACYCP strives to be a leading, innovative force advancing the profession.

Our Impact
Since 1997, NACYCP has led the advancement of the field by:

• Publishing the  Journal of Child and Youth Care Work
• Representing U.S. practitioners globally through FICE (International Federation of Educative Communities).
• Creating the Standards for Practice of North American Child & Youth Care Professionals, an internationally recognized code of ethics
• Supporting certification through the  North American Certification Project
• Co-sponsoring the Child & Youth Work Workforce Coalition to increase cross-sector collaboration addressing workforce issues.
• Creating the Child & Youth Care Certification Board to oversee credentialing and regulation of the field.

Value Proposition
Few responsibilities are more vital to society than nurturing each generation into healthy, self-sufficient adults. Child and youth care professionals serve as frontline responders to the challenges impacting development—often under demanding conditions.

NACYCP strengthens both individuals and the profession through certification, education, advocacy, and research-based practices that drive measurable outcomes. We promote lifelong learning, professional growth, and self-care while advancing the field as a whole.

With a long history of impact and an all-volunteer leadership structure, NACYCP maximizes resources to directly benefit practitioners and the communities they serve.

Call to Action
An investment in NACYCP is an investment in the future. Join us in advancing the child and youth care profession and supporting children, youth, families, and communities nationwide and beyond.