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Intervention Learning Center: Empowering Students, Families and School Teams

The St. James Assiniboia School Division offers an Intervention Learning Center (ILC) designed to support students with additional learning needs, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD). This innovative center provides individualized support, emphasizing the development of communication, independence, and co-regulation skills. The ILC embodies an inclusive educational approach, ensuring all students have equitable access to learning opportunities and are supported in achieving their full potential within an accommodating and supportive school environment.

How the ILC Works

1

Attendance Model

Students maintain their attendance at their designated catchment school, while the ILC provides specialized support for those needing intensive assistance. The program serves 128 students annually in two cycles, offering sessions twice a week over five months, enabling specialists to work with 32 students daily, divided into morning and afternoon groups, thus accommodating 64 students weekly.

2

Daily Schedule

Students immerse in intensive, personalized sessions at ILC, supported by a team of specialists. With their educational assistants by their side, students receive thorough training and supervision at ILC. Trained EAs continue to provide this specialized support at their catchment schools. Students and EAs attend ILC twice a week, receiving direct support from a transdisciplinary team for 6 hours on either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. This structure ensures that students can receive consistent, focused support while maintaining ties to their home schools, where interventions will also continue.

3

Professional Development

Fridays are dedicated to collaboration with school teams, refining plans, and providing professional development for teachers and educational assistants.

Goals of the ILC

Enhancing Communication Skills

Our Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) work closely with students to improve their ability to express needs using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools, while also focusing on body awareness to help them understand and control their movements.

Fostering Independence

At the ILC, Occupational Therapists focus on developing independence by teaching students essential Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). These skills help students face real-world challenges with confidence, reducing their reliance on adult support.

Improving Co-Regulation

Occupational Therapists focus on enhancing students' interoceptive awareness, which is crucial for understanding internal body signals like hunger and stress, thus aiding emotional regulation. By improving students' ability to manage emotions and physical sensations, they are empowered to navigate academic and social situations independently, promoting emotional well-being.

Empowering Educators

Professional development is crucial for the program's sustainability, as it involves collaborating closely with school teams to share strategies, build capacity, and ensure a smooth transition between the ILC and students’ home schools.

Transdisciplinary Team

Coordinator of Student Services

Leveraging current experience as Student Services Coordinator, The ILC coordinator supports the transdisciplinary team, as well as the school teams for all schools at SJASD.

Specialists

The team includes an Occupational Therapist, a Speech-Language Pathologist, a Physiotherapist, and a Special Education Resource Teacher. Student individualized goals will be the focus of all specialists.

Support Staff

4 Rehabilitation Assistants follow intructions from specialists and also support educational assistants when working with students in their homeschools

Facilities

Minimum of four fully equipped classrooms with modern equipment in all rooms.

Collaboration and Partnerships

Key Organizations

These partnerships will help secure additional funding and ensure alignment with evidence-based practices.

Inter-Division Collaboration

School divisions have the opportunity to pay per student for participation in the program, promoting collaboration and providing essential financial support to sustain the initiative. Additionally, the ILC offers intervention support programs during summer holidays for students from various divisions and those outside of Winnipeg.

Budget and Cost Analysis

$700,000

Annual Budget

Includes staff salaries and equipment costs

$5,469

Cost per Student (Annual)

For 128 students served per year

$16,000

Private Sector Comparison

Cost for similar services over 5 months of 6 hours of intervention therapy services per week and school support.

The ILC offers an affordable and accessible option compared to private sector alternatives, providing cost-effective intensive support services.

Equipment and Materials

Total cost for all materials: $40.000. Includes therapy equipment, sensory tools, AAC devices, exercise equipment, and educational materials to create a comprehensive learning environment.

Family and Community Involvement

The ILC believes in creating opportunities where families and community members play an active role in student success. Through various engagement opportunities and events, we foster strong connections between home, school, and community.

Parent Involvement Opportunities

  • Professional Development for Parents: workshops on evidence-based strategies and support techniques
  • Autism Parent Committee: Leadership opportunity to shape program direction and policies
  • Home-School Communication Program: Monthly progress updates and strategy sharing
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences: Quarterly meetings to discuss progress and goals
  • Volunteer Programs: Opportunities to assist in activities such as outings and day trips .

Community Activities and Events

  • Book Club for Parents: Monthly meetings to discuss relevant literature and share insights
  • Holiday Gatherings: Seasonal celebrations bringing together families, staff, and students
  • Summer Camps: Structured programs combining learning and fun during school breaks
  • Community Resource Fairs: Annual events connecting families with local support services
  • Sibling Support Groups: Special activities for brothers and sisters of ILC students
  • Family Fun Nights: social event promoting community building

These engagement opportunities create a collaborative environment where families feel supported and empowered to actively participate in their child's learning journey. Through these connections, we strengthen our community and enhance student outcomes.

Next Steps and Conclusion

1

Secure Funding and Space

Obtain necessary resources and identify a suitable location for the ILC.

2

Recruit and Set Up

Hire staff and prepare the facility with required equipment and materials.

3

Launch Pilot Program

Evaluate effectiveness and refine processes based on initial outcomes.

4

Expand Collaborations

Foster partnerships with community organizations and other school divisions to grow the program.

The Intervention Learning Center represents a significant step towards providing equitable, high-quality support for students who require support to access the school curriculum, transforming educational experiences for our most vulnerable learners.