SchoolsPlus Programs, Services and Supports Available to all Students
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 four 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.
SchoolsPlus teams in the SRCE may be contacted by email:
- SchoolsPlus, Antigonish County
Marguerite MacGillivray, SchoolsPlus Facilitator; marguerite.macgillivray@srce.ca
Tara Hassin, Community Outreach Worker; tara.hassin@srce.ca
Innis MacDonald, Community Outreach Worker; innis.macdonald@srce.ca
Krista Parsons, Mental Health Clinician; krista.parsons@nshealth.ca
- SchoolsPlus, Guysborough County
Liz MacIntosh, SchoolsPlus Facilitator; liz.macintosh@srce.ca
Faye Fraser, Community Outreach Worker; faye.fraser@srce.ca
Meghan Mulcahy, Mental Health Clinician; meghan.mulcahy@nshealth.ca
- SchoolsPlus, Strait and Richmond County
Tara Gale-MacLeod, SchoolsPlus Facilitator; tara.gale@srce.ca
Kayla Landry, Community Outreach Worker; kayla.landry@srce.ca
Mental Health support contact 902-867-4500, ext. 4760
- SchoolsPlus, Inverness County
Rebecca Hoggard-Nauss, SchoolsPlus Facilitator; rebecca.hoggardnauss@srce.ca
Janelle MacDonnell, Community Outreach Worker; janelle.macdonnell@srce,ca
Diane MacDonald, Parent Navigator; dianel.macdonald@srce.ca
Dr. Kerri Gibson, Mental Health Clinician; kerri.gibson@nshealth.ca
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 1-855-922-1212 (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
Access an information article by The Port Hawkesbury Reporter at SchoolsPlus Program Gets Rave Reviews Locally.