PURPOSE
The purpose of this Partnership Agreement is to establish the terms and conditions under which the Board(s) of Education and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) will meet and function, to collaboratively support the well-being of Windsor and Essex County (WEC) students and the school community. The commitment of this partnership formalizes our collective actions to support the children and youth of WEC, through the creation of healthy school environments.
SPECIFIC CO-OPERATION PROJECTS
- Oral Health Services
- Immunization Services
- Health Promotion Activities: Using the Foundations for Healthy Schools Framework, the WECHU will employ best practices and research in working with students, staff, and parents/guardians with the goal of developing and supporting health and wellbeing within the school environment.
- Work together to address collective priorities in the areas of health promotion for students, with a focus on Mental Health and Well-Being, Food Environment, Healthy Relationships, Growth and Development and a Substance Use Prevention and addictions concerns.
- Provide curriculum support for health topics and priorities (both local and provincial) that meet the needs of the school and school board.
- Support collaborative research and evaluation mechanisms (i.e., data collection, monitoring, and knowledge exchange) to track progress towards intended goals and outcomes related to student well-being, as appropriate.
- Pursue opportunities for appropriate data sharing (i.e., local and provincial surveys) to support needs assessment, prioritization, and planning.
FORMS OF CO-OPERATION
To support this partnership and the required programs of the WECHU, the following forms of co-operation may be pursued:
- Prior to the start of the school year, up-to-date class lists will be provided through approved and secure data transfer platforms. Updated data transfers may be requested throughout the year.
- Designated spaces will be made available where the WECHU staff can meet with staff or students. These spaces will be safe and suitable environments for WECHU activities including clinics.
- Distribute WECHU documentation and materials including parent/guardian letters and consent forms. These documents are not to be edited or revised in any way. All letters received from parents/guardians, including those declining services, will be provided to the WECHU based on established practices.
- Submit all immunization documents to the health unit. Acknowledge that copies of these records will not be included in the student’s Ontario Student Record (OSR). Avoid scheduling other school activities on days that have been committed and arranged for health unit programs/services.
- Have a mailbox accessible for WECHU staff to collect any health unit information.
- Ensure your staff remain present while their students are receiving health unit services.
- Appropriately disseminate information as provided and requested by WECHU staff.
- Report absenteeism rates in accordance with up-to-date procedures.
- Ensure that all WECHU staff and representatives who may have direct contact with students have completed a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screen (VSC) in accordance with applicable legislation, organizational policies, and school board requirements before beginning school-based activities. The WECHU will be responsible for obtaining, reviewing, and maintaining screening documentation, and will confirm compliance to the school board upon request while protecting personal information.
COMMUNICATION AND PLANNING PROCESS
At the Executive level, Directors of Education, the WECHU Medical Officer of Health, and CEO (or their delegates) in Windsor and Essex County will meet at least annually, to establish and assess the priorities and direction of the partnership.
At the Operational level, the School Board Liaison Committee, comprised of School Board and WECHU staff, will meet as per the Committee Terms of Reference to operationalize the direction and vision established at the Executive level. They will work together to provide input into their respective planning, identify areas of mutual interest, share appropriate data, and determine opportunities for collaboration. Relevant documentation or communications prepared by the WECHU and intended for school administrators will be shared with the School Board Liaison Committee prior to distribution.
In order to satisfy the mandate of the two French as a first language School Boards, Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence and Conseil Scolaire Viamonde in Windsor-Essex County, all documentation sent to English School Boards will be translated into French in a reasonable time frame to ensure the timeliness of messages and events.
LEGAL RELATIONSHIP
This letter shall be construed as a statement of purpose to promote a genuine and mutually beneficial collaboration between the Parties.
Nothing in this Agreement shall create any legal relationship between the Parties.
RENEWAL
This Agreement will be reviewed and renewed each school year.
DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
Dr. Ken Blanchette
Chief Executive Officer
Vicki Houston
Chief Executive Officer
Sébastien Fontaine
Director of Education
John Ulicny
Chief Executive Officer/ Chief Education Officer
Carolyn Bastien
Director of Education