Student Wellness Companions (SWC)
Our Program
The Student Wellness Companion Team (SWC) is a grant funded role that works with nine school divisions across Southern Alberta, with the mandate to help families access resources and support. As a team we work from an empowerment based model, where the goal is to increase the capacity of families.
We work collaboratively with school teams and focus our service delivery on goals identified by both the school and the family. Our team is able to utilize a case management approach, working with families to access necessary resources, complete applications, and assist with appointment attendance.
Referrals
Our team is always open for consultation- when in doubt, reach out!
Referral forms can be sent to any member on the team. Once the referral is received we will let you know whether our team has availably to consult and set up an intake meeting right away or if the referral will be placed on the wait list.
Send referrals to any of the following:
Kara-lyn Fredrickson kara-lyn@swcss.ca
Elizabeth Noad elizabeth@swcss.ca
Colton Hok colton@swcss.ca
Access our referral form HERE
FAQs
Alberta Education Mental Health in School's Pilot Project
The Southwest Collaborative Support Services in partnership/consultation with Addictions & Mental Health – South Zone and multiple school divisions in the SW Region of Alberta, continue
to identify a significant need to bridge the gap between both rural and urban school and community mental health supports. Once school divisions have exhausted their in-house resources, they bring forward a case consultation to the Complex Case Team.
In order to provide effective tier 3 support for these consultations and ensure the needs of children, youth, and families are being met, we are were successful in receiving grant funding for 2.0 FTE Student Wellness Companions.
In the southwest region, the core partners are committed to continuing to work together to address the needs of children/youth and families with the resources available. The Southwest Collaborative Support Services is a framework intended to strengthen the ability of families, schools, service providers and community partners to understand and to respond to the needs of children and youth in a timely, inclusive and equitable manner.
The Student Wellness Companions (SWC) will provide students/families of tier 3 Complex Case Consultations equitable access and ongoing connection to mental health resources in the region; thus, bridging the gap between school and community. The Student Wellness Companion will have a desire to improve and identify the pathways for students and families to access necessary community resources.
Duties and Responsibilities:
● provide leadership, direction and structure to support the overall vision, goals and objectives on the Mental Health in Schools Pilot Project within the Southwest Region
● bridge connection and sustainability through assessing, planning and collaborating with community and cultural partners to support students/families in navigating available system services.
● Develop and implement a plan for a Mental Health Resource Bank that can be updated regularly and shared within the southwest region
● Ensure timely submission of financial, statistical and narrative reports as required
● Liaise with school administration, community partners, cultural partners and other stakeholders
● Attend by-weekly Complex Case Reviews (virtual and in-person)
● Liaise with the Complex Case Team throughout the school-year to set appropriate support plans throughout the summer months.
● Collaborate with multi-ministry community partners to identify sustainable community support and identify and connect families to effective mental health resources.