The learning needs of students undergoing treatment are met under the terms outlined in the Ministry of Education Guidelines for Education and Community Partnership Programs (ECPP), formerly called Programs for Students in Government Approved Care and/or Treatment, Custody and Correctional (CTCC) Facilities.
As part of its mandate to support the learning of all students, York Region District School Board provides instruction for children and youth who cannot attend a local school due to a primary need for the treatment services provided by the treatment agency.
For the 2021-22 school year, York Region District School Board:
- Negotiated Memorandums of Understanding with six agency partners to support eight day treatment programs at 11 sites. Day treatment programs are located in community settings (including a group home, two hospitals and children’s mental health centres) and accommodations are provided in schools throughout the Regional Municipality of York.
- Ensured that 69 elementary and 85 secondary students were supported in their learning, despite them being unable to attend regular classroom settings. Average service to students ranged in duration from one to two years.
- Engaged 24 certified teachers and five educational assistants in the delivery of services in atypical settings.
- Continued leadership across Mental Health and Dual Diagnosis Community agencies including; York Region Mental Health Collaborative, Children’s Case Coordination, Local Case Resolution, School Based Services Review Team, and leadership within the provincial network of ECPP leaders.
- Provided professional learning for all Day Treatment teachers to address topics including: Reading Interventions; Supporting Students on the ASD spectrum; Effective Math Instruction; and Pathway Planning. As well, Day Treatment program staff will participate in learning about self-regulation and a wide variety of relevant topics through the Annual Day Treatment Conference attended by YRDSB and agency staff.
York Region District School Board continues to work very closely with York Catholic District School Board and day treatment service providers to further develop a system of central intake.
Central Intake
Central intake helps to enhance access to services and maximize the appropriate fit between client need and service available by considering collective resources. The York Region Central Intake for Day Treatment Services Committee (comprised of a Mental Health Subcommittee and a Dual Diagnosis Subcommittee) meets monthly to streamline referrals and to update waitlists. This process continues to result in more timely and appropriate placements with maximum use of all available resources.
Guiding principles for the design of the York Region Central Intake System include: collaboration; user friendliness; informed choice; resource efficiency, flexibility, innovation, and continuous improvements of the system.
Recent work of the Central Intake Committee includes:
- Facilitating enhanced partnerships between and among the school boards and agencies toward meeting the increasingly complex needs of students;
- Barrier free, streamlined referral process;
- Establishing data collection protocol for the purpose of determining trends and gaps and conducting strategic planning; and
- Implementing a best practices framework for student transition to and from day treatment.
Our partner agencies continue to maintain waitlists while collaborating through the central intake process. Interest continues to be expressed by current partner and new agencies to open expanded or new programs in partnership with York Region District School Board.
Updated November 2021