The Catholic Children's Aid Society of Hamilton

The two main purposes of ESP are:

• to ease the stress and pressure placed upon foster parents, as a result of school issues, in an effort to prevent foster placement breakdown, and
• to increase the likelihood of school success.

A secondary benefit includes reducing the risks that make youth vulnerable to criminal activity through their successful involvement in the educational system.

All too often school problems can create a significant negative impact on the lives of the foster family and may cause jeopardy to the actual placement. With the support of an Educational Support Program Counsellor (ESP Counsellor), foster children will be able to benefit from enhanced support to improve attendance, behaviour, performance and relations within their schools.

All referrals will be made to ESP through the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. The referral process includes a consent form and an application form to be completed by the Children’s Services Worker (CSW). The child/youth is also expected to complete a brief application form. Upon referral, the ESP Counsellor will meet together with foster parents, CSW, the youth and the school in order to develop a Plan of Care to address individual school needs. The ESP Counsellor will continue to have regular ongoing contact with both the foster parents and the CSW in order to maintain open communication and sharing of information.

The ESP Counsellor will meet regularly with school personnel and the student in an effort to work together to gain positive outcomes. The ESP Counsellor will be asking each school involved how they would like to see ESP utilized and what needs they feel should take priority for their particular students involved in the Program. The ESP Counsellor will meet weekly with students to maintain regular contact and address individual needs. They will also be able to assist with the design and modification of attendance supports, behaviour contracts, etc., which will assist the school and student in working together to achieve success. The ESP Counsellor will also be able to assist foster parents when needing to find appropriate school placements and negotiating schedules, terms of admission/discharge, etc.

The ESP Counsellor will initially remain highly involved and then will slowly step back as the school and student begin to support one another independent of the additional supports. A final Discharge Report will be submitted to the CSW for each child/youth.

For more information about ESP, please contact: Kim Aird, ESP Counsellor

ESP is located at:

837 King Street East, Hamilton, ON

TEL: 905-544-1991

REACH will provide individualized and group support to young persons in the school setting in order to promote & enhance positive development in the following areas:

• Prosocial values & accountability;
• Academic performance;
• Peer interactions/Social skills development;
• Self-Esteem/Self-confidence;
• Family/Individual Support;
• Linkages with supportive cultural, social services, and recreational resources.

Student Selection

The Principal and/or Teachers at each school will identify 8 students that will benefit from REACH. The Principal or Teachers will consider young persons that may be experiencing difficulties in any of the following areas:

• Classroom behaviour;
• Academic performance;
• Peer interaction;
• Problem-solving/Anger management;
• Family/Individual Support; or
• any other area of social development.

Role of Parents

Parents consenting to their children’s attendance will be given a service outline and encouraged to discuss the program with their child. Students & parents will be given an orientation to the program and will participate in the development of program rules, expectations, and evaluation. The Child & Youth Counsellor will contact each family to meet and review needs and goals for the student – and will remain available for ongoing contact with the family throughout the project. In addition, parents may also access:

• a trained mediation counsellor who may assist the family in problem areas, including family communication, discipline, school liaison, or parenting concerns;
• cultural supports such as links with cultural organizations, mentors, volunteers, etc.

Services

Each student referred to REACH will be able to learn new skills and develop a stronger understanding of the value and importance of:

• anger management;
• problem-solving;
• listening skills;
• effective communication;
• honesty & trust;
• helping others;
• identifying & expressing feelings;
• respect;
• team work;
• victim awareness;
• self-esteem & confidence;
• cultural awareness;
• recreation;
• responsibility & personal accountability

Students will spend one period each week (approximately 1 hour) with the Child & Youth Counsellor [CYC] in individual activities during school time. Activities will include: completing class work or assigned tasks with assistance of the CYC; social skills exercises that focus on positive peer interaction and communication; and developmental games & recreation.

Students will also participate in a one-hour after-school group each week designed to enrich social skills, enhance self-confidence, and increase their ability to cope with change & stress. The CYC will use a variety of games, exercises, crafts, group discussions, and recreation to promote and reinforce the topics listed above.

The CYC will also be available for in-class support for referring Teachers, related to: (1) work with the student’s peers (mediating conflicts, processing concerns related to behaviour/values/attitudes, victim support); and (2) educating peers and school personnel on the youth justice system.

For more information about REACH, please contact: Daphne Sampson, Project Coordinator.

REACH is administered through:

82 Victoria Avenue South, Hamilton, ON L8N 2S7

Tel:  905-526-9529
Fax: 905-526-7852

Mediation is a cooperative and constructive method for solving interpersonal conflicts. Through the services of an impartial & neutral mediator, people in conflict can reach a fair and reasonable agreement that meets their individual needs and protects their interests. Mediation is also sometimes called Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Mediation is not “counselling” and it is not “therapy”. It is a problem-solving process focused on helping people communicate better and on finding a “win/win” solution to their conflict. It is the mediator’s job to create a non-adversarial atmosphere in which both parties are listened to and respected.

Mediation is not “arbitration” or “litigation”. No decisions or agreements are imposed on the parties in conflict. Both sides remain in control of the solutions to the conflict and in control of the commitments they decide to make. Participation in the process is completely voluntary – and no one is expected to agree to a solution until he or she is satisfied that it is reasonable, fair, and worth committing to.

Who can benefit from Youth MEDIATION Services?

Our Youth Mediation serves youth in a variety of conflict situations, whether with their families, peers, classmates, school officials, neighbours, or community businesses. Mediation works best for people that: