The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board participates in a variety of collaborations, reflective of the vibrant and dynamic communities in the Dufferin-Peel region. The nature and focus of these collaborations are intentional and aligned to the Catholic Board Learning Plan and Ministry of Education policies and initiatives.
The admission or transfer of students transitioning from one program to another are facilitated by the Family of Schools Special Education Consultant who will coordinate with the in-school team, and the appropriate Itinerant Special Education support staff.
Through the Family of Schools Special Education Consultant structure, the board’s practice is to review the assessment of incoming students, and if necessary arrange Identification, Placement and Review Committees to align the assessment details with board processes. Such reviews will occur as quickly as possible. Should reassessment and/or further assessments be required, the school team in consultation Family of Schools Special Education Consultant, will review and prioritize as appropriate.
Ontario's Special Needs Strategy
Ontario is taking steps to help children with special needs get the timely and effective services they need at home, at school, in the community and as they transition to adulthood. As a result, some of the services listed below might be impacted by the special needs strategy during this period.
Connections for Students is a joint initiative from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services to support seamless transitions from the Autism Intervention Program (AIP) to school. The Board has developed a multidisciplinary team including ASD Teachers, Child and Youth Workers, Speech-Language Pathology and Psychology staff with ABA expertise. The team is called the Dufferin-Peel ABA Facilitators: Connections for Students. The team works with school based transition teams, including parents, to plan for the students’ transition, beginning six months prior to and for six months after discharge (once the student is in school full-time). The team supports schools in their efforts to fulfill the expectations set out in PPM 140 and Connections for Students.
Community Care Access Centres: CCAC is a government funded health program with several regional centers that serve our Board. CCAC co-ordinates health and personal support services to students with a disability or health problem. CCAC also provides school support services including OT, PT, Speech Therapy, including assessment, intervention, training and teaching, various health equipment and medical support, Referrals may be made by the individual requiring support, their family, doctor, community agency or school. With respect to students and transition, the student is assigned to a case manager based on the school they attend. Managers share events and new programs, encourage attendance at transition sessions, links with appropriate community services, and provide long-term care referral if necessary.
Mental Health Supports Collaborative work within Peel and Dufferin (Ministry of Child and Youth Services, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice) includes: Peel Children and Youth Initiatives, Archbishop Romero, Student Support Leadership, Liaison with the Centre for Excellence/Children’s Mental Health and the Dufferin Coalition for Kids (DuCK). The Mental Health and Addictions Nurse (MAHN) initiative is available through an internal review process.
Catholic Education Centre School/Section 23 Programs:Additional Information
Dufferin-Peel, as part of its overall commitment to Catholic Communities, Culture and Caring, works to ensure that all students are welcomed and supported in community.
