Practical Solutions to Assist with Learning STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH Practical Solutions to Assist with Learning

Introductions Michelle Rao, Manager, School College Partnerships, Georgian College Sammi Marriner, Mental Health Youth Transition Worker, Georgian College Rosa Bitonti, School within a College Teacher, Simcoe Muskoka CDSB Denis Nugent, School within a College Teacher, Simcoe County DSB

About Us… Central Lakes RPT is one college & five school boards representing Simcoe County, Muskoka and Grey/Bruce We have about 1000 dual credit students on seven college campuses We run our School within a College program (Flex) on four campuses with a total of 13 sections this year

ANSWER GARDEN Web address: https://answergarden.ch/478012 What non-academic issues are you facing in your Dual Credit classrooms?

Mental Health and Addictions Youth Transition Worker Funded through the Mental Health Innovation Fund created by MTCU to support students (postsecondary & transitioning) in accessing mental health services Goals: identify gaps in services, promote best practice sharing, create partnerships, and support innovative approaches Pilot Project ran March 2016 to March 2017 Georgian College funded the remainder of this academic year Position works primarily with 55 SWAC students in Barrie each semester

Student Profile School within a College student must meet the dual credit student criteria At-risk, disengaged, under-achieving with potential to succeed 19% of CLRPT students had left school, compared to 10% provincially (15-16) Of Barrie SWAC students this fall, 71% had left school Student needs are wide ranging

Rebecca

Kate

Ajay

Transition Worker stats Individual appointment in person = 225 Presentations (in class from YTW) = 3 Presentations (presented by others) = 2 Health Team visit (off campus) = 3 Housing = 18 Viewing apartments = 2 Ontario Works application = 9 Barrie Learning Centre = 1 Assisted with legal matters = 5 Assisted with résumés = 6 OCAS applications = 60

Transition Worker stats OSAP application = 4 Liaising between college and student = 18 Liaising with coordinator and student = 3 # students appointment w/counsellor = 20 # students referred to Accessibility = 4 # students referred to Student Advisor = 1 # students referred to Doctor/Health Team = 16 # students referred to school Psychologist = 2 # students referred by counsellor = 1 # students referred by CMHA = 2 # students referred by other agency = 1

Transition Worker stats # students referred by YMCA = 3 # meetings with other agencies = 5 # of college events YTW was involved = 7 Assisted with tour for Crown Ward Youth = 1 Fall Semester Winter Semester # of new students # students Denis class 20 23 16 # students Susan class 18 7 # students Rosa Class 15 19 8 Total 53 60 31

An important number At least 28 of the students in the three sections the Transition Worker supports will be attending Georgian College in the fall That number grows to 34+ if we include other colleges Several students want to work for a year If you allow students to feel physically safe and secure, their self esteem grows and they are able to achieve their potential

Teacher Testimonial Rosa -- My Story Students in Crisis Transition Support Community Connections -- Youth Haven, Ontario Works, etc. Campus Connections -- IEP’s, Career Counselling, Personal Counselling, Peer Tutors Meaningful Collaboration ➤This support has kept most of my students in school

Teacher Testimonial Denis--My Story Large class due to support (23 + 2 doing 2 dual credits and 1 top up) Many struggling with mental health Some of the problems our students are facing Past times without support Smaller group with far less aiming/successfully entering college The way things currently work with the support worker Team approach Time freed up to work with more students academically and emotionally

Teacher Testimonial Future without support Less students? Less going to college? Some dropping out of SWAC or College? Less contributing to the good of their peers and society More teacher burnout Other ideas that may work Grad students Child youth worker Current board social workers

WHAT STRATEGIES & SUPPORTS HAVE WORKED FOR YOUR STUDENTS? Add notes to the blackboard

WHAT NEXT STEPS CAN WE TAKE PROVINCIALLY TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH OF DC STUDENTS? Time to brainstorm…..

QUESTIONS? Thank you for your time!