Cannabis and Youth:
A Certificate for Youth Workers
A self-guided online professional development certificate that provides youth workers with evidence-based information on the health, social and legal risks associated with cannabis use.
This free certificate provides youth workers with the knowledge and the tools they need to support informed decision-making, and to educate and increase awareness among young people.
Get the facts on the legal and health implications of cannabis use for youth, and learn practice strategies to support youth in making informed decisions about cannabis. Successful participation and completion of the five modules of the certificate entitles participants to a digital certificate and LinkedIn Badge from Youth Research and Evaluation eXchange, York University.
WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE
We recognize that youth sector workers are very busy! This certificate is structured in a way that is flexible and easy for you to complete. All course content is available to you at once so that you can work through the modules at your own pace.
01. REGISTER! Complete a brief registration form.
02. GET IMMEDIATE ACCESS! You will automatically receive an email with login instructions.
03. LEARN & ENGAGE! Access the certificate, engage, and learn!
Certificates and LinkedIn Badges will be available three weeks after you complete the certificate.
Questions? Email us at learn@youthrex.com
Youth have the highest rates of cannabis use in Ontario. One in five grade 7-12 students and 38% of young adults aged 18-29 use cannabis, compared to 14.5% of all adults.
Who is this certificate for?
CERTIFICATE STRUCTURE
This certificate offers 16 lessons organized around five modules that cover the context of cannabis, legalization and how it affects young people, supportive practices when working with young people, and theoretical and practice frameworks to support this work.
CERTIFICATE ELIGIBILITY
You should be committed to working and learning about youth work within a context of equity, respect and anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices.
What topics will the certificate cover?
MODULE ONE
Cannabis in Context
The first module provides the foundational knowledge needed to understand how cannabis works, why youth use it, and some of the ways it can affect our physical and mental health.
MODULE TWO
Legalization and Youth
The second module provides the knowledge and the tools to support youth in navigating the complex regulatory landscape around cannabis, including a detailed overview of provincial and federal regulations on cannabis possession, consumption and sale.
MODULE THREE
Supportive Practices
The third module offers evidence-based practices for supporting youth in making informed decisions around cannabis use. It includes recommendations for talking to youth about cannabis, as well as tips for reducing the health and safety risks of cannabis use.
MODULE FOUR
Theoretical Lenses
The fourth module provides an overview of the theoretical lenses that inform our approach to cannabis education: Social Determinants of Health, Anti-Oppressive Practice, Anti-Black Racism and Indigenous perspectives.
MODULE FIVE
Theory-Based
Practice Tools
The fifth module introduces two key practice frameworks that youth workers can draw on to support youth with behaviour change: Stages of Change and Motivational Interviewing.
Successful participation and completion of the five modules of the certificate entitles participants to a digital certificate and LinkedIn Badge from Youth Research and Evaluation eXchange, York University.