2.6 Specialized Health Support Services in School Settings

The Lambton Kent District School Board recognizes that some students may require medical and physical procedures to be performed during school hours in order for them to access an education. The Board follows the guidelines of Program/Policy Memorandum 81 in order to determine who provides what services to students. Administrative procedures can be found in Appendix 2.6.1 for Provision of Health Support Services in Schools.

Teachers and Educational assistants receive training on an individual basis as the health needs of specific children are identified. Training and re-certification in specific areas are also provided on a group basis (refer to Section 2.12, Appendix 2.12.3).

Services may be provided by Community Care Access Centres (CCAC) in both municipalities, i.e. Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton. Protocol and procedures are slightly different since the CCAC’s operate under different jurisdictions. Other services may be provided by Children’s Treatment Centres (Prism Centre for Audiology and Children’s Rehabilitation under Chatham Kent Integrated Children’s Services in Chatham, or Pathways Health Centre for Children in Sarnia).

Specific details of specialized health support services in school settings are summarized on the next page. Many of the services are provided by community agencies but there is follow up within the school. For example, an Educational Assistant might continue the physiotherapy for a student with a physical disability on the days between the therapist’s visit, or the recommendations for occupational therapy might be included in a student’s IEP to be followed up in the classroom or through the resource program.