ADVANCING CHILD AND YOUTH CARE - A MODEL FOR INTEGRATING THEORY AND PRACTICE THROUGH CONNECTING EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND THE SERVICE SYSTEM

This article presents a comprehensive model for enabling connections t o be made between theory and practice in the field of child and youth care, based on an analysis of current training and education in the fi eld and a multi-step concept of theory-to-practice and practice-to-the ory. The model presents a logical sequence of activities that generate and convey knowledge from two sources. One is formal empirical and re search information; the other is the conceptualization of practitioner s' direct experience. Both are reinforced by trainers and educators wi th dual connections with ''practice'' and ''training and education'' s ettings. The paper stresses that academic programs are a significant c omponent of any profession, in that they are responsible for collectin g and codifying emergent knowledge gathered from multiple sources.