Child, Youth, and Family Studies Major: A Multidisciplinary Education

CYFS Info Page
CYFS Information for Majors (Canvas Module)

Our picks for FALL term courses:

• CFS 494, CRN: 10490; WIC PROF SELF: CRITICAL THINKING

• CFS 489, CRN: 10487; ACTIVISM FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

• CFS 410, CRN: 13810; TOP: FOSTER CARE TO ADOPTION

• CFS 440, CRN: 10482; CRITICAL YOUTH STUDIES

• CFS 496, CRN: 10491; WIC: PROF SELF: INTEGRATION

• CFS 492, CRN: 10488, FAMILY LAW AND POLICY

• CFS386U, CRN: 10477 YOUTH SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATION

• CFS310, CRN: 10466; CRIT HISTORY CYFS: GEN/RACE/CLASS

CFS 494, CRN: 10490; WIC PROF SELF: CRITICAL THINKING

Students will begin the process of documenting their achievement of the first CFS Learning Outcome as they establish the foundation of the CFS Professional Portfolio. The history and development of female-intensive professions, professionalization, ethical decision-making, and the creation and use of theoretical knowledge will also be a focus.

CFS 489, CRN: 10487; ACTIVISM FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

This course prepares students for activism in professional settings serving children, youth, and families. Building on CFS 487 and CFS 488, students will study social change and activism. They will research a social injustice, conceptualize and carry out a social change action, and reflect on lessons learned for their activism.

CFS 410, CRN: 13810; TOP: FOSTER CARE TO ADOPTION

this course will focus on child welfare system in Oregon, the complexities of the adoption process (both from policy and personal perspectives), the impacts of trauma on children involved with the child welfare system (developmental trauma), cultural considerations and implications, and supporting families who adopt through the foster care system.

CFS 440, CRN: 10482; CRITICAL YOUTH STUDIES

Drawing on fields including history, sociology, education, literature, religion, politics, psychology, economics, cultural studies, and more, Youth Studies examines the development, history, and meaning of youth as a social construct. Critical Youth Studies adds to this analysis the consideration of power as it shapes the construction and experience of youth. Post-structuralism, discourse, the sociological imagination, critical race theory, queer theory, and critical feminisms ground this analysis. Practical implications for education and human services are explored.

CFS 496, CRN: 10491; WIC: PROF SELF: INTEGRATION

Students will complete their CFS Professional Portfolio as they document their achievement of the final CFS Learning Outcomes. They will consider the relationship between person and professional ethical decisions, the role of change agents in society, and attend a professional organization meeting.

CFS 492, CRN: 10488, FAMILY LAW AND POLICY

Laws and policies that influence the well-being of families, youth, and children will be examined from a historical, socio-political perspective. Analysis of contextual influences and community based learning experience will assist students in practical applications related to professional roles.

CFS386U, CRN: 10477 YOUTH SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATION

Explores the demands, parameters and possibilities of healthy relationship and sexuality education (HRSE) for youth. Together we will wrestle with what has come before and imagine what could be, focusing on the strengths and voices of people who are currently and historically pushed to the margins, and exploring what youth tell us they want and need. Through active participation, students can gain ‘best practices’ foundational skills and understanding of equitable methods for facilitating group HRSE lessons.

CFS310, CRN: 10466; CRIT HISTORY CYFS: GEN/RACE/CLASS

This course provides a space for critical reflection on the nature of power in professions serving children, youth, and families. Students will explore historical and contemporary patterns of feminization of these professions and the implications, including the social and economic de-valuation of this work and institutions as gendered settings. Students will also critically consider the racialized history of this work and resistance by communities served by these professions.

Preschool for All Scholarships (over $20K in scholarships available for Summer 2025), designed to support students working in Oregon’s licensed early childhood programs or those intending to enter the early childhood education field. This scholarship is available to individuals who live or work in Multnomah County and are committed to pursuing careers in early learning and preschool education.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Undergraduate Enrollment: You must be enrolled in undergraduate-level courses at Portland State University. This scholarship does not cover graduate-level (500+ courses).

2. Declared Major/Minor: You must have declared a major or minor focused on early childhood in CYFS. If your proof of registration does not indicate your major or minor, additional documentation may be required.

3. Residency or Employment: You must live or work in Multnomah County.

4. Career Intentions: You must currently work in a licensed early childhood program in Oregon or intend to work in early learning as a teacher and/or in direct service with children in a preschool educational setting.

Complete the following steps

If you meet the eligibility requirements, please complete the following steps:

1. Submit the online OCCD HMS Application: Complete your application online through the Oregon Center for Career Development in Childhood Care and Education (OCCD) Higher Education Scholarship (HMS) portal.

2. Provide Proof of Registration: Attach your course registration from Portland State University with your HMS application after registering for the Summer 2025 term.

   1. go to my.pdx.edu

   2. go to the academic tab

   3. go to view unofficial transcripts

   4. select undergraduate transcript/self-service display

   5. most importantly print from the print icon only so all information such as degree, name, and classes current and those for the coming term.

3. If you do not have an Oregon Registry Online (ORO) account - then Create an ORO Account at my.oregonregistryonline.org.  Need help with your ORO account, contact OCCD at  https://my.oregonregistryonline.org/help/  

4. NOTIFY the Awards Team that Your Scholarship Request is Ready for Review by completing the following Google Form. Only scholarships completing this form can be reviewed.

Deadline

All application materials must be submitted by June 1, 2025. Incomplete applications or those received after the deadline will not be considered.

If you have any questions about the application process or eligibility requirements, please contact Ingrid Anderson at ianderson@pdx.edu. We look forward to supporting your journey in early childhood education!

Are you interested in serving as a Student Representative in the CYFS? 

The School of Social Work values student input and participation on SSW committees. Duties: attending CYFS Team meeting once a month. These committees influence policies, practices, faculty training, and curriculum, in addition to other school-wide functions. Interested? Please email: Hillary Hyde, hhyde@pdx.edu, looks great on your resume

Student ERDC Eligibility: 

Current media alerts for the ERDC expansion. 

1. The Chronicle: https://www.thechronicleonline.com/news_free/affordable-child-care-program-more-oregon-families-now-qualify/article_85c6d38a-8d42-11ed-90ff-bb10f22bd2f6.html

2. KTVL: https://ktvl.com/newsletter-daily/more-oregon-families-eligible-for-affordable-child-care-program

3. Central Oregon Daily: https://centraloregondaily.com/child-care-central-oregon-grants/

4. KPIC: https://kpic.com/news/local/more-oregon-families-eligible-for-affordable-child-care-program

5. KOIN: https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/oregon-expands-child-care-assistance-program-for-parents-attending-school/

6. North Coast Citizen: https://www.northcoastcitizen.com/news_free/affordable-child-care-program-more-oregon-families-now-qualify/article_2132468c-7602-52e7-a0fa-b3509510a0b4.html

7. Oregonian: https://www.oregonlive.com/education/2023/01/more-oregon-families-now-qualify-for-state-funded-affordable-childcare-program.html 

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