Inclusion For Children and Youth

Current Projects

a)  Families in Community Project

b)  Building Greener Futures Together

c)  Parent Information Sessions on Changes to the Education Act    Meeting June 8, 2010     Presentation

d)  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.

e)  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. 
 

Completed Projects

Understanding the Needs of Early School Leavers in Ottawa

Kids and Community: A Parent Engagement Project

•  Is Everybody Here?  Inclusion and Exclusion of Families with Young Children in the Ottawa Area.  March 2007
• Challenging Transitions:  A Profile of Early School Leavers Aged 15 to 24 in Ottawa, 2006.  October 2008