Access to Education

Access to Education

Parent Information Meetings on Safe School Legislation June 8, 2010    Presentation

School Supplies Working Group

In Ottawa, there has been an ever increasing demand for charitable school supplies, similar to the demand for charitable food via food banks.  Over the past few years, community agencies responded to the need as best they could, and a patchwork of initiatives sprang up.  In 2008, we initiated a group to enable coordination of these initiatives, for more effective use of scarce community resources.  For the first time, in 2008, the stakeholders developed and implemented a  common  solicitation,  management,  communication and distribution plan.  The initiative was successful in dramatically improving distribution and service levels to families in need.  We are continuing to support the group to develop a longer term strategy to meet the need, including more effective involvement of the business community.

Addressing School Fees

Our research on school fees and inclusion (from 2007 and 2008) resulted in the Provincial government including in its’ Poverty Reduction Plan a direction for all school boards in the Province to examine this issue in their Board and address negative impacts on low income families.   There is a continuing need for residents to work with all school boards to find inclusive strategies to address school fees.  As well, we continue to inform local parents about the different kind of school fees they may encounter.

School Fees Information Sheets for Parents:        French       English       Arabic       Mandarin     Somali     Spanish

Understanding the Needs of Early School Leavers in Ottawa

Earning and Learning Supports (in the renovation sector) for Early School Leavers