Manitoba Minister Kelvin Goertzen appears at a meeting of federal finance and health ministers in Ottawa, Monday, December 19, 2016. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government is spending $1.6 million over three years to expand the Community Schools program.
The increase in funding will provide additional supports for mental health and addictions resources for at-risk children and youth and their families.
“The Community Schools program creates school hubs that support the development of strong ties between schools, parents, family members, service providers and the community to ensure early intervention for children at risk,” said Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen.
The program currently receives $2.29 million in funding and includes 31 northern, rural and urban schools serving approximately 8,700 students.
Five schools from across the province will be added to the program, while programming will be expanded to the 14 kindergarten to Grade 6 schools already taking part.
The new schools joining the program by January 2020 are:
• Victor Mager School, Louis Riel School Division, (kindergarten to Grade 8, urban);
• Ruth Hooker School, Lord Selkirk School Division (kindergarten to Grade 6, rural);
• Dalhousie School, Pembina Trails School Division (kindergarten to Grade 6, urban);
• George Fitton School, Brandon School Division (kindergarten to Grade 8, urban); and
• Scott Bateman Middle School, Kelsey School Division (Grades 6 to 8, northern).
This investment will better support at-risk families and students, particularly Indigenous and newcomer families,” Goerzen added.
