SCHOOLSPLUS

SCHOOLSPLUS – A Nova Scotia program that places vital human services in safe and convenient locations in both rural and urban communities. The program delivers vital support services from government departments and community agencies including Justice, Mental Health, Addiction, Education, Community Services and other service providers in local community schools. Known as SchoolsPlus it has been in operation for the past three years and is part of a growing community schools movement that emphasises integrated/ collaborative service delivery. First proposed in 2007 as a pilot program as part of the provincial Child and Youth Strategy known as “Our Children Are Worth It” and also the Mental Health Strategy known as “Together We Can” (2012), it has undergone extensive evaluation during 2010, 2011 and 2012. The final evaluation completed in September 2012 by an independent evaluator analyses data collected from sites in all eight school boards in the province. The final evaluation confirmed that the program has been received positively by those involved and as a result has been continued and expanded with a substantial financial commitment over the next few years.