May 20, 2011
Province Announces Expansion of Award-winnng COACH Program
– – –New Investment to Triple Number of Children, Families Supported: Rondeau
New provincial investments will triple the number of children and families helped by the award-winning COACH program, Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors Minister Jim Rondeau, chair of the Healthy Child Committee of Cabinet, announced today.
“COACH is a program that gives hope to children and families where hope was in short supply,” said Rondeau. “COACH helps children who have experienced extreme difficulty coping in regular classrooms get back to school. I am happy to announce additional resources to help these kids get a good start in life, inside and outside the classroom.”
The COACH program currently supports children ages five to 11 in the Winnipeg School Division who have profound challenges coping at home, in school and in the community. An increased provincial investment of $540,000 will allow the program to triple its current capacity, the minister said.
In its 11thyear, the program is a collaboration between the Winnipeg School Division, Macdonald Youth Services, Winnipeg Child Guidance Clinic, Winnipeg Child and Family Services and Healthy Child Manitoba.
“The innovative COACH program is able to help children with extreme behavioural issues,” said Suzanna Hrynyk, chair of the Winnipeg School Board. “The division is very pleased that the province is increasing the funding for this valuable program.”
“Macdonald Youth Services is pleased to participate in a multi-agency approach to support youth and prevent crime,” said Erma Chapman, executive director of Macdonald Youth Services. “By building educational and social success among young students and strengthening family supports, COACH is making a difference in our community.”
The COACH program includes a year-round, interdisciplinary approach to supporting students and their families or guardians during the day, evenings and on the weekend. The goal is to get children back into a classroom setting at a neighbourhood school.
Evaluation of the program has shown that students have significantly improved behaviour and academic performance, Rondeau said. Data indicates the children attended school much more regularly, gained social skills, learned to manage aggressive feelings and performed better in class.
The program has received a YES I CAN! Award from the Manitoba Council for Exceptional Children acknowledging its innovative work with children who have profound behavioural and academic challenges, the minister noted.
The Healthy Child Committee of Cabinet guides the development, implementation and evaluation of cross-departmental policies and programs for children, youth and families. Chaired by the minister of healthy living, youth and seniors, the committee includes the ministers of Aboriginal and northern affairs; culture, heritage and tourism; education; family services and consumer affairs; health; housing and community development; justice; and labour and immigration.
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