Teachers, school administrators and health service providers share these concerns. Many of the students will be able to participate more fully in their classroom activities and be more focused on learning. In some cases, with health services improved, teachers will have more time to focus attention on teaching all of their students. While Education, Health, Alberta Family and Social Services, and the Children and Families Services Secretariat are partners in this initiative, the new dollars are assigned to Education for administrative efficiency. The funding is in addition to amounts school authorities, health authorities, Family and Social Services and the Provincial Mental Health Advisory Board already allocate for student health services.
Current spending varies depending on the area.
Local service providers such as school authorities, regional health authorities, and child and family service authorities will be required to develop a joint plan for coordinating their services and maintaining funding already in place. The joint service plan will outline local priorities and how partners will provide student health and related support services. Joint service plans will be developed at the local level. Government must approve the joint service plans before the funding is provided. Regional partners will work together to determine the steps they will take to develop the joint service plans.