Championing Ontario’s Crown Wards
School boards across Niagara are committed to the health, well-being and educational success of all students. Representatives from each of the four publicly funded boards in the region formalized an agreement with Family and Children’s Services to support Crown ward students in Niagara. The Joint Protocol for Student Achievement (JPSA) clarifies the roles and responsibilities of all partners in supporting Crown Ward students.
Having an agreement in place formalizes procedures to support students and ensures that all partners share a common understanding of their roles and responsibilities. It will help reduce the barriers Crown ward students face in successfully completing their K – 12 education. In 2012-13, the graduation rate for Crown Ward students in Ontario was 46% compared to the overall provincial rate of 83%.
“FACS Niagara has enjoyed strong relationships with our colleagues in education,” said FACS’ Executive Director, Chris Steven. ~“The Joint Protocol for Student Achievement can only enhance our relationship and focus our efforts to ensure Crown wards, and other students served by the child welfare system, receive effective and timely supports to improve their educational experience and success,” concluded Steven. ~“Our youth are capable of great things. ~We want to do all we can to help them realize their potential.”
“At the District School Board of Niagara, our approach has always been to look at students as individuals and to provide them with the specific supports they need to become successful in school,” said Warren Hoshizaki, DSBN Director of Education. “It’s clear that Crown ward students require their own educational, social and emotional support. Having this agreement in place will support the tremendous work already being done in schools and ensure that these students have what they need to reach their full potential.”
Among other provisions, the agreement establishes best practices for educational success planning, training and providing educational continuity for Crown ward students throughout their K -12 years.