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Child and youth program assistant vs behavioral assistant

The differences between child and youth program assistants and behavioral assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a child and youth program assistant and a behavioral assistant. Additionally, a behavioral assistant has an average salary of $39,681, which is higher than the $30,453 average annual salary of a child and youth program assistant.

The top three skills for a child and youth program assistant include program environment, child care and program options. The most important skills for a behavioral assistant are behavioral interventions, mental health, and patients.

Child and youth program assistant vs behavioral assistant overview

Child And Youth Program AssistantBehavioral Assistant
Yearly salary$30,453$39,681
Hourly rate$14.64$19.08
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs82,04780,685
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a child and youth program assistant do?

Child And Youth Program Assistants help create recreational activities for children and youth ranging from 6 weeks to 18 years old. They provide parents with daily verbal or written feedback about their child, youth, or program activities.

What does a behavioral assistant do?

Behavioral Assistants are responsible for providing support and capacity in behavioral and clinical services for students with disabilities. Their duties include addressing behavior management safety needs, supporting emotional and social needs, giving academic support, and implementing behavioral improvement plans. They also deal with physical management, behavior de-escalations, and undertake student reviews with the teacher regularly. Behavioral Assistants will also collect data, write student reports, and ensure health and hygiene protocols are adhered to.

Child and youth program assistant vs behavioral assistant salary

Child and youth program assistants and behavioral assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Child And Youth Program AssistantBehavioral Assistant
Average salary$30,453$39,681
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $38,000Between $29,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityNew London, CTSanta Maria, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutWashington
Best paying companyTrustmark Insurance CoPhysician Affiliate Group of New York
Best paying industryGovernmentHealth Care

Differences between child and youth program assistant and behavioral assistant education

There are a few differences between a child and youth program assistant and a behavioral assistant in terms of educational background:

Child And Youth Program AssistantBehavioral Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Child and youth program assistant vs behavioral assistant demographics

Here are the differences between child and youth program assistants' and behavioral assistants' demographics:

Child And Youth Program AssistantBehavioral Assistant
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 18.0% Female, 82.0%Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 7.1% White, 52.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between child and youth program assistant and behavioral assistant duties and responsibilities

Child and youth program assistant example responsibilities.

  • Support center's success by partnering with center staff and leadership to achieve goals around enrollment, accreditation, and engagement.
  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD and NAEYC certification and national accreditation.
  • Provide support and assistance in achieving and maintaining CDC's certification and national accreditation.
  • Ensure assigned area achieves and maintains standards for DoD/Army certification and national accreditation through NAEYC.
  • Receive extensive training in customer service, child abuse, child/infant CPR and first aid.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations used for teen entertainment.
  • Show more

Behavioral assistant example responsibilities.

  • Work one-on-one with students as well as small groups as instructed by teacher to help achieve goals outline by the IEP.
  • Modele self-help and independent skills to assist autistic and developmentally delay children achieving their establish goals.
  • Develop rapport and trust of physicians and patients to assure confidence and execution of therapy plans resulting in successful patient rehabilitation.
  • Apply behavioral analysis (ABA) and other evidence-base methods are used to decrease challenging behaviors and teach skills.
  • Assist BCBA consultants providing comprehensive educational, social, behavioral, and community services to young children on the autism spectrum.
  • Implement modifications outline in IEP.
  • Show more

Child and youth program assistant vs behavioral assistant skills

Common child and youth program assistant skills
  • Program Environment, 13%
  • Child Care, 11%
  • Program Options, 10%
  • Child Guidance, 8%
  • Child Development, 7%
  • Naf, 6%
Common behavioral assistant skills
  • Behavioral Interventions, 12%
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Vital Signs, 7%
  • Behavior Management, 7%
  • Autism, 7%

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