Alternative Education On The Edge of Chaos Working With High Risk, Vulnerable and Marginalized Youth Session # 4 It Takes

s a Village Partnerships That Work Instructor Tom McEvay

Session #4 It Takes a Village Partnerships That Work

Session Outline:

8:30 am Tour of Vast 9:00 am Final presentation Rob Wilson The Nootka Alternate Program 9:30 am Sharing of Student Learning Plans Group discussion of salient points 10:15 am Break 10:30 am Panel # 1 Laurie Money MCFD Manager/Team Leader Cindy Prior Social Worker Brian Diemert Youth Probation Officer Antonia Botting Drug and Alcohol Counsellor Trish Straight Drug and Alcohol Counsellor 12:30 pm Lunch 1:00 pm Panel # 2 Leanne Taylor Youth Mental Health Team Nicky Bezanson Director Hummingburde Day Care Jennifer Norlock Hummingburde Youth Care Worker Christine Pearson VIHA Family Support Worker David Maher Vice Principal SD 70 Alternative Programs 3:00 pm Other Creative Ideas Thinking Outside the Box 3:30 pm Assignment and wrap up

IN-SCHOOL ALTERNATIVES

VAST

of SD70 Alternative Programs

ADULT ED HOSPITAL/ HOMEBOUND ADULT ED REMOTE CHOICES BOYS PROJECT OPTIONS FOCUS

Philosophy

Student Centered Humanistic Student needs vs. system needs Holistic Maslows Hierarchy Partnerships Lifelong Journey of Learning Intellectual, social/emotional,
personal/career

Emotion and connectedness Multiple intelligences Caring must be unconditional

SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT:

To create with students a personalized educational experience in a safe, supportive environment where the holistic needs of each student are valued and considered.

SD 70 Alberni Vast Education Centre

TOUR

Session Three Saturday May 25:

Student Needs The Myths and Realities

Equal doesnt mean the same there are no templates or panaceas. More Maslow, Attachment and Developmental Assets The growth industry mental health issues. The dimensions of poverty socio- economic factors. The many forms of abuse physical, sexual, emotional, neglect etc. Cognitive variables learning challenges and multiple intelligences. Self-regulation is it the key to success? Appropriate assessment, evaluation and reporting The importance of success, recognition and celebration. Guests - Student Panel and Vast Professionals What resources are out there? Next session It Takes a Village - Partnerships that work!

Session Four Saturday June 1: It Takes a Whole Village Partnerships That Work

Parental support and engagement School based support systems District resource people and systems. Ministry resources and programs. BCTF and the Alternate Education PSA How can post secondary institutions be involved? Other governmental departments and services. Community based agencies and organizations. The role of business and industry. Individual role models and mentors. Shared professional development and planning. Funding sources grants, service contracts, partnerships, sales etc The importance of informing and educating your partners. Guests Representative Partners

Program Presentations Continued .

Robert Wilson Nootka Alternative Program

Building a Student Learning Plan

Minimum expectations:
Background family and education issues to address? Strengths and interests how to capture and celebrate?

Reason for being here how to build connection?

Barriers and needs how to meet these needs? Supports required what and who needs to be in place? Graduation plan inventory to date, courses and timeline? Goals and dreams for the future how to connect the dots? Transition plan prepare in advance for the successful exit.

Case Studies

Norman - 14 year old male in grade 7 Niall 19 year old male in an adult program Anne 16 year old female in grade 10 Chase 12 year old male in grade 7 Liam 12 year old male in grade 6 Jack 15 year old male in grade 10 Mae 16 year old female in grade 11 Andy 14 year old male in grade 8 Darth 16 year old male in grade 10 Jake 15 year old male in grade 10 Blake 17 year old male Jared 9 year old male in grade 4

Student Learning Plans

Debrief:
What did you learn completing this task?
Were there common barriers? What was the most difficult challenge? List the supports you felt needed to in place. Describe one strategy you included to meet the students needs. Who became the most important people? What were some creative Grad Plan suggestions?

Explain your transition plans.

Break

Examples of Community Partnerships

Hummingburde MCFD ADAPS Forensic

USMA Public Health (VIHA) Probation

Nuu-Chah-Nulth Friendship Centre AMAA-SIP City of Port Alberni Regional District Timber West Local Businesses INEO

High School Kuutiis Community Resources

Community Living North Island College RCMP Family Guidance Parks & Recreation Labour Council City Management TRIUMPH

Community Partners Panel # 1

Laurie Money MCFD Manager/Team Leader

Cindy Prior Social Worker

Brian Diemert Youth Probation Officer Antonia Botting Drug and Alcohol Counsellor Trish Straight Drug and Alcohol Counsellor

Questions for Panel:

What are the most common and critical issues or challenges facing the young people your agency serves? What are the most difficult issues your agency itself faces? What works well in terms of a positive working relationship with the school system? How can we build on this success? What doesnt work well in a relationship with the school system.? How can we collectively improve this? What suggestions do you have for schools trying to work more effectively with your agency? Discuss your thoughts on co-location strategies as a means of improve service and relationships. What services for youth are schools most likely not aware of in our communities? What are the gaps in services for youth on the Island and in BC? How can we work together to improve this? Any signals or signs I can look for in elementary aged children for possible issues at home or with themselves? MCFD: As a teacher, how do I know my confidentiality is going to be protected so I don't lose the youths trust. Probation Officer: How do you advocate for youth when parent's are getting involved? Counselors: When is the time or is there a time when parents need to be informed of information divulged? How often do the different members of the team at VAST meet for collaboration (if they do)? And how important is this time?

LUNCH

Community Partners Panel # 2

Leanne Taylor Youth Mental Health Team Nicky Bezanson Director Hummingburde Day Care Jennifer Norlock Hummingburde Youth Care Worker Christine Pearson VIHA Family Support Worker

David Maher Vice Principal SD 70 Alternative Programs

Debrief
1. 2. 3.

What were the critical messages we heard? Did anything surprize you? What were the most significant barriers for these partners?

4.
5. 6.

How can the school system work more effectively with partners?
What is working and what isnt working in your district? Will this information help you adjust your practises? How?

Assignment for next session June 15

Research current and potential partners in your community and submit on June 15th a mini directory of these partners. Ensure you include . * Name of organization, agency or Ministry. * Contact persons name * Phone numbers * Emails * Brief comment on the value of this partner

Before You Leave Today

Submit you session feedback and include on this submission you suggestions or requests for topics or information for our last session on June 15th. Be prepared next class to complete a course and instructor evaluation as well as a self assessment. Please confirm with Tom your preference for course mark ie: pass/fail or letter grade

Directions to McEvays at Sproat Lake

We live at Sproat Lake about 20 minutes out of town at 10288 Bishop Drive .... Highway 4 or Johnson Rd hits a T intersection at the Somass River where you are looking at a sign that says Port Alberni Ultimate Fishing Capital of Canada. Turn right and continue to follow highway 4 toward Tofino and Ucluelet. About 10-15 minutes out of town you will pass the turn off to Great Central Lake and then Sproat Lake campground. Continue another 5 minutes until you see the remains of the old West Bay Hotel on the left. This is now called Sproat Landing and is just some trailers with small grocery and liquor stores and some construction happening. Turn left off the highway and then immediately right onto Lakeshore Rd. Follow Lakeshore Rd about 1.5 km passing Tilley Dr and Asher Dr on the right until Lakeshore takes a bend to the left. As you come down that little hill on Lakeshore you will see Bishop Drive on the right. Turn right onto Bishop We are the 8th driveway on the right at 10288 that we share with 10290. We have an old sign on the ground that says McEvays.