What’s New in Student Educational Services Week of January 10 - 14, 2011

Action on Inclusion Update - Setting the Direction remains a priority and work has moved forward since the Setting the Direction Framework, Government of Response was released in June 2010. A number of key milestones have been reached, one being the establishment of the Inclusive Education Cross-Ministry Team. This team includes membership from the ministries of Education, Children and Youth Services and Health and Wellness, in addition to and the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS). The work of this team is to provide leadership for the successful implementation of the plan and help build capacity within government to support implementation.

Inspiring Action and Setting the Direction The cultural shift that began with Setting the Direction is an important part of this province’s educational reform. Transforming a complex system requires careful thought, research, analysis and continued meaningful interaction with all Albertans. Setting the Direction and its alignment with Inspiring Action on Education is being carefully considered. Albertans will notice a gradual shift from discussion on ―Setting the Direction‖ to ―Action on Inclusion.‖ In Inspiring Action: A Discussion Paper there is a specific policy direction on inclusion. Government, through the Setting the Direction Framework, Government of Alberta Response, indicated its support of this particular direction and intent to implement an inclusive education system.

Inclusion – What it means in an Alberta context The Setting the Direction Framework and Setting the Direction Framework, Government of Alberta Response articulated a vision for an inclusive education system that meets the learning needs of all students, including those with diverse learning needs. This definition has driven some important and challenging discussions. At the core of inclusion is the concept of making differences ordinary so that all students have a place, feel valued and welcomed and are equipped for success. More information is available in documents available at www.settingthedirection.alberta.ca.

Priorities related to Action on Inclusion Minister Hancock continues to affirm government’s commitment for the implementation of inclusive education. In his most recent presentations, Minister Hancock identified the following focus areas: -supporting the success of all students -developing a funding model that provides flexibility and support for inclusive education -developing a plan for building capacity throughout the education system and within our cross-ministry partners -developing a service delivery model that provides timely and appropriate access to supports and services to students -ensuring that we have accountability measures in place to facilitate the measuring and reporting on the success of all students -developing policy and standards that is enabling The Minister’s speech on this topic is available at http://education.alberta.ca/media/6085012/ataspecialedconferenceministerremarksoct142010.pdf

Action on Inclusion: Building a common understanding of inclusive practices CASS and Alberta Education are partnering to provide two one-day sessions to explore roles with respect to key areas of work with the implementation of inclusive education including: Learning Coaches, Differentiated Instruction, Inclusive Classroom Planning and Continuum of Supports and Services. The sessions will be held January 24, 2011 at the Fantasyland Hotel in and January 25 at the Coast Plaza in . CASS members will receive registration details from their association. Progress on Education’s short-term priorities Progress on Work within Education that Supports Setting the Direction Short-Term Priorities document is available at http://education.alberta.ca/media/1296814/educationprogresspriorities.pdf

Regional Educational Consulting Services Teams - Regional Educational Consulting Services Teams (ERECS, REACH, CASE and Réseau) are now supported by the Cross-Ministry Services Branch of Alberta Education.

Update on Learning Coaches - The following two documents on Learning Coaches are now posted on Education’s website at http://education.alberta.ca/department/ipr/settingthedirection.aspx. The Learning Coach Literature Review: Executive Summary – provides an overview of the research in this field. Exploring Learning Coaches in Alberta – provides information for discussion for school authorities that are thinking of adopting a learning coach model to support students and teachers in their schools. This handout provides information on implementation, roles, relationship with administration, a day in the life of a learning coach, as well as some references for further discussion and research.

Additional resources to support future implementation of Learning Coaches in Alberta are currently being developed. They include a draft provincial role description and a research study of promising practices in school authorities that have a learning coach model in place.

Funding Announcement to Support Mental Health Capacity Building in Schools for Children, Youth and Families Initiative At the Action on Wellness forum on December 3, 2010, Minister of Health and Wellness announced three-year government funding of $19.2 million to support the Mental Health Capacity Building (MHCB) in Schools for Children, Youth and Families Initiative. These funds will be directed to the 24 expansion sites where funding was set to expire on June 30, 2011. The Provincial MHCB Leadership Team (Alberta Health Service and Alberta Education) will be in contact with the local Project Coordinators and Advisory Committees to discuss details regarding these funds.

The Mental Health Capacity Building in Schools for Children, Youth and Families Initiative is unique in that mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention services are integrated into and provided in a school-based setting. There are currently 39 project sites implemented across Alberta impacting thousands of Alberta’s children, youth and families. The initiative is led by Alberta Health Services – Addiction and Mental Health in partnership with Alberta Education, and funded by Alberta Health and Wellness.

The purpose of the MHCB Initiative is to provide the staffing and structures required to implement an integrated mental health promotion and prevention program. This initiative is community driven, by partners and community agencies at the local level to address the capacity building and risk reduction service components in selected communities – specifically targeted to children ages 0 -19 years and their families.

Updates on Students with Vision Loss Initiative - Travelling Low Vision Clinics offer assessment and programming recommendations for children and youth with low vision. Clinic teams include: a pediatric ophthalmologist, local optometrist teacher of the visually impaired, orientation and mobility specialist as well as a Learning Resources Centre (LRC) vision specialist who demonstrates the technology available for loan through the LRC. Upcoming dates for clinics: Calgary – January 25 and 26, 2011 Red Deer – February 9, 2011

Vision Resource Centre North is offering a workshop on “Access to Electronic Board Notes for Students with Low Vision” on January 28, 2011 at Newton School in Edmonton. Video Conference capability is available upon request. Please go to http://vision.alberta.ca/training/workshopsprofessionals.aspx for information on this and other workshops.

Digital Learning and Teaching Resources – LearnAlberta.ca - The LearnAlberta.ca website provides a multitude of engaging digital learning and teaching resources for various grades and subjects at no cost to users. The LearnAlberta.ca Online Reference Centre (ORC) provides access to online library resources such as the World Book, Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, e-Library Elementary, Teachingbooks.net and Novelist Plus. Available on the site are mathematics concept lessons and discovery applets, science “gizmos,” National Geographic videos and National Film Board films.Tools4Teachers distributed learning courses are also now accessible via this website.

Success in School for Children and Youth in Care: PPF - Last month, Minister and Minister of Children and Youth Services , celebrated the Success in School for Children and Youth in Care, Provincial Protocol Framework (PPF). PPF is a joint initiative between Education and Children and Youth Services to support improved school outcomes and high school completion rates for children and youth in provincial government care.

Representatives from the demonstration sites were recognized by the ministers for their work in field testing the draft PPF. Their work has provided valuable advice and input that will benefit us all as we move forward with provincial implementation. PPF is part of the High School Completion Framework and also aligns with the Setting the Direction Framework, Government of Alberta Response. For more information on PPF, please visit www.education.alberta.ca/ppf.

Alberta’s Wraparound Approach – Video - You can now view a new video on Education’s website at www.education.alberta.ca/admin/crossministry/wraparound.aspx. This introductory video, the first of an 11-part series, is an overview of the 11 principles of wraparound as identified by a comprehensive review of literature and case studies in Alberta schools. The wraparound approach is one of the short-term priorities of Setting the Direction and the principles are in line with Setting the Direction’s goals of collaboration and capacity building. All videos in this series will be complemented by facilitators’ guides.

Introducing Alberta Supports - On December 15, 2010 the Alberta government officially announced the Alberta Supports website and contact centre. For the first time, Albertans can access information on more than 30 social-based assistance programs and more than 100 services by visiting a single website or calling just one phone number. Information includes services related to: career and training, income support, disabilities, seniors, homelessness, abuse and bullying, children and youth, and making life decisions such as personal directives. Albertans can also estimate their potential eligibility and obtain referral information.

At the same time, government has established several pilot projects to test approaches to improving in-person service delivery. It is important to note that Albertans can still access services in person the same way they always have.

Government, non-profit and private sector staff will also benefit from the Alberta Supports website and contact centre. By consolidating program information, staff will be able to focus more on what they do best – providing effective solutions for the Albertans they serve.

The Alberta Supports website is online at www.albertasupports.ca, and the contact centre toll-free number is 1-877-644-9992. In Edmonton, call 780-644-9992. For more information, read the news release at www.seniors.alberta.ca/albertasupports. If you have a website, we encourage you to link to www.albertasupports.ca and to share information about this initiative with Albertans connected with your organization.

Inclusion – Every Child is Successful workshop, facilitated by Dave Edyburn. Participants will: • Gain an understanding of how the use of technology can enhance teaching, learning, and performance; • Learn about how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can support educators in meeting the needs of diverse learners; • Understand how Assistive Technology for Learning (ATL) can be part of the Response to Intervention (RTI) process; • Align with the K-12 Literacy Guiding Document; • Connect to the Government of Alberta Setting the Direction Framework. Dave Edyburn is a professor in the Department of Exceptional Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Dr. Edyburn teaches in the areas of mild disabilities related to learning and behaviour. His research investigates the use of technology to enhance teaching, learning, and performance. He has authored over 150 articles and book chapters on the use of technology in special education. His work includes the 36 page booklet, “What Every Teacher Should Know About Assistive Technology,” and the 900 page “Handbook of Special Education Technology Research and Practice.”

Monday, January 31, 2011 Ref#: PLD0009-01 Time: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Fee: $150 Location: Chateau Louis Hotel and Conference Centre 11727 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta More Information Anita Homan, Facilitator 780.429.8022 or [email protected] Monica Ellis, Programs, Key Contact 780.429.8348 or [email protected] Sandra Gluth, Facilitator 780.429.8586 or [email protected] Registration Contact Registration and Help Line 780.429.8050 citing reference numbers above.

Violence- Threat Risk Assessment (V-TRA) – Please email the names of your V-TRA team members (pg.8 of the V-TRA manual) as soon as possible to the SES Department. Best Practice Series: Building Strong Teams with Families – Communicating & Collaborating Together - Presentation panel will include a number of parents and service providers who will share their experiences. Monday, January 24th from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, Viking Hall, Viking, AB

Join colleagues from the early learning, health, education and human service sector to share knowledge and strategies that can be used in strengthening our teamwork practices as we strive to meet the needs of young children and their families.

The session will include discussion of collaborative service planning and service coordination. Core elements and qualities we can each use in our day to day interactions with families and one another will be identified and resource materials will be provided.

The agenda will also include planning for the next Best Practice Day. The feedback gathered from the October ELCC Showcase will be presented and discussed.

Call 1-866-937-7476 (93-PRISM) to register.

The Many Faces of Childhood Well-Being: The Tween Years. The symposium and live webcast were a success in sharing knowledge with 250 people attending in person and over 2,000 viewing via live webcast.

Below, please find the link to the area of The Centre’s website where you can find a link to the recorded presentations and all PowerPoint presentations. http://www.research4children.com/admin/contentx/default.cfm?PageId=88987

Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute Inc. Workshops

Children’s Services Centre Upcoming Conferences/Workshops:

Influences on Behaviour - Monday, January 24, 2011 (Presented by Barb Rusiewicz-Enright, M.A., R.Psych) Many factors influence child behaviour. Learn about the power of observation, behaviour as communication, and reasons children engage in certain behaviours. Details to Register can be found at: www.childrenservices.ca/training.html

See our recent newsletter at http://www.childrenservices.ca/newsletter.html