- What is the Specialized Student Support Program?
- Who Implements the SSSP and What Do They Do?
- Who Benefits and How?
- Teacher/Educational Assistant Workshops
- Newcomers Student Support Services

WHAT IS THE SPECIALIZED STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAM (SSSP)?
The Specialized Student Support Program is a system which is created with the intention of providing specialized support for students who have extraordinary mental health and neurological needs.

WHO IMPLEMENTS THE SPECIALIZED STUDENT SUPPORT PROGRAM?
AND WHAT DO THEY DO?
The professionals who implement the Specialized Student Support Program consist of Child & Youth Counselors, and Social Service Workers. These professionals posses numerous years of experience and training in specific disorders and conditions, of students within an academic milieu.
The Child & Youth Counselors and Social Service Workers are responsible for:

1. 1-1 Support through counseling
2. Personal Hygiene Training
3. Promoting Autonomy through Program Development and Implementation
4. Academic Support
5. Crisis Intervention
6. Life Skills Training
7. Social Skills Training
8. Behavior Management
9. Recreational Programming

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WHO BENEFITS AND HOW?
The Specialized Student Support Program is beneficial to the entire school body from the students all the way through to the Teachers and Administrators.

Your Students will benefit through:

1. Effective peer relationships
2. Enhanced self-esteem for specified students
3. Effective conflict resolution skills
4. Enhanced post-secondary employment skills

Your Teachers will benefit through:

1. Enhanced academic instruction
2. Less burnout and stress related absences
3. Increase planning time
4. Enhanced staff morale

Your Administrators will benefit through:

1. Enhanced EQAO Scores
2. Reduced suspensions and expulsions
3. Reduced unmanageable student crises
4. Less burnout and stress
5. Increase in team morale

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TEACHER/EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT WORKSHOPS
WCFS is a consulting firm that has been in operation since 2001. We work closely with other professionals to further develop and improve the educational services structure through seeking out the latest concerns that arise for teachers who work directly with our society’s students.

WCFS recognizes that the educational environment has changed dramatically over the past few decades and teachers and administrators are more involved in their students lives than ever before. This information has resulted in school personnel needing support in their jobs and needing specialized training in various topics and not solely academic teaching. Schools have become a social support system, where teachers are at times confronted by topics that are not related to the academic development of their students.

In order to further develop and improve the educational services structure WCFS provides training/workshops for various professionals who work directly with students. These training/workshops are designed for Teachers, Early Childhood Educators, Child & Youth Counselors, Social Workers, Educational Assistants, and Parents.
At WCFS we are available to present a topic of concern which is specifically requested by your faculty.

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NEWCOMERS STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
This aspect of WCFS Services is designed to deal with the students who are new to Canada, while they experience language barriers, and culture shock, as well as possibly mental health concerns. Accessibility to this program will allow the student to feel a sense of security, safety, and familiarity which will promote academic success, through the following elements:

1. Classroom Support
2. Positive Learning Experience
3. Liaise with Family
4. Educational and Behavioral Support

These services are implemented by Newcomer Student Counselors. These Counselors are equipped with numerous years of experience in Children’s Mental Health Services, and have first-hand knowledge of the specific cultural background of the student.

All Newcomer Student Counselors posses College/University accreditation, and experience in serving an academic milieu. The Newcomer Student Counselors will work within the existing multi-disciplinary team at your board, and will conduct their daily services according to your boards’ policies, procedures and curriculum.

Through recognizing this transitional time for these students your school board will prevent further concerns stemming from intercultural communication gaps among Canadian Society.