SchoolsPlus Programs, Services and Supports Available to all Students (Access a printable Contact Information Sheet)
In the SRCE, we have been very fortunate that all students and families in all schools have had access to services provided by our SchoolsPlus staff since 2014. The first SchoolsPlus Program started in Guysborough in 2008/2009 with the Program expanding to other regions over time. SchoolsPlus staff support students’ achievement, well-being and overall success in and out of school.
The vision of SchoolsPlus is to provide increased access for students and their families to the support services of various community and non-profit agencies as well as government departments by using local schools as focal access points. The students and families receive the services in their local school communities, which is very helpful as the school serves as the center for service delivery. The programs may be delivered during the day, after school, during March Break and in the summer. These support services are tailored to meet specific needs and may include access to professionals in the fields of social work, healthcare, mental health, the Department of Justice, addiction services, Family Resource Centres; and Youth Health Centres.
SRCE SchoolsPlus staff are helping our children, youth and families connect to a range of programs by working and collaborating with school staff and multiple partners and service providers. This model is very much a collaborative one with all partners working closely together to support our students and families. The community partnerships are an integral component of the success of the SchoolsPlus programs in the Strait Region. In the SRCE, there are six SchoolsPlus hub sites. Each of these hub sites offer a range of different programs, services and supports based on the particular needs of the students and families. Examples of some of the programs offered by SchoolsPlus staff focus on recreation, health relationships, violence awareness and prevention, anger management and restorative practices, personal health and fitness.
The Parent Navigator plays an important role in helping families learn and understand what programs and services are available for their children in the community and at school. They also help parents understand how to access supports and assist learning at home.
The Parent Navigator works collaboratively with school and community partners to help parents and caregivers with their child’s needs, and to access programs and services based on those needs.
Referrals to the Parent Navigator may be made through school administration, SchoolsPlus, and teachers. Parents may also self-refer if they need assistance.
SchoolsPlus teams in the SRCE may be contacted by email:
- SchoolsPlus, Antigonish (AEC, SACS and SAJS)
Tiffany Hallett, SchoolsPlus Facilitator
Marisa Murphy, Community Outreach Worker
Marilyn MacDougall-Redden, Mental Health Clinician
- SchoolsPlus, Antigonish/Sherbrooke (DRJHG, HM and SMEC/A)
Alison Miller, SchoolsPlus Facilitator
Katie Johnson, Community Outreach Worker
Marilyn MacDougall-Redden, Mental Health Clinician
- SchoolsPlus, Strait Richmond (REC/A, EREC and FMEC)
Tara Gale-MacLeod, SchoolsPlus Facilitator (Team Lead)
Kelsey Bowman-White, Community Outreach Worker
Kayla Landry, Community Outreach Worker
- SchoolsPlus, Inverness South (WEC, BEC, TEC and SAERC)
Joanne Ebear, SchoolsPlus Facilitator
Kim Chiavari, Community Outreach Worker
Kelsey Bowman-White, Community Outreach Worker (TEC)
- SchoolsPlus, Inverness North (CBHEC/A, DA, PB and IEC/A)
Janelle MacDonnell, SchoolsPlus Facilitator
Lindsay Watson, Community Outreach Worker
- SchoolsPlus (Guysborough/Canso/Monastery)(CEC/GA, FEC/CA and EAEC/A)
Liz MacIntosh, SchoolsPlus Facilitator
Amanda Millar, Community Outreach Worker
- SchoolsPlus Parent Navigator (Supports all SRCE Schools)
Savannah Antle ; 902-631-6695
- Regional Coordinator SchoolsPlus Integrated Service
- Danielle LeBlanc; (Position is shared with Conseil scolaire acadien provincial and Cape Breton Victoria Regional Centre for Education)
- Tracey Shay; (Position is shared with Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education)
SchoolsPlus Mental Health Clinicians continue to:
- work with students and their families on their caseload by phone, secure video conferencing or in-person, where possible; and
- accept (new) referrals.
For Intake Service for the NSHA, please call 1-855-922-1122 (toll-free).
For Intake Service for the IWK, please call 1-902-464-4110.
For more information, please refer to the following resources:
SchoolsPlus in Nova Scotia
SchoolsPlus Expansion Highlighted on World Mental Health Day