Project
West Coast Alternate Project
Principal Investigator(s): John Gotowiec, Social Support Coordinator, West Coast Alternate, Pacific Community Resources, email: jgotowiec@pcrs.ca, West Coast Alternate School
Start/End Date: 2002, now ongoing
Location: West Coast Alternate School, Vancouver, BC
Brief Description: The West Coast Alternate program is for students who have been medically diagnosed under the FASD umbrella. Students may have many learning challenges affecting consistency in their academic work, and in their social and adaptive skills, which could ultimately result in them being excluded from school.
West Coast Alternate is a unique program, in operation since 2002, delivered in collaboration with, the Vancouver School Board (VSB), Pacific Community Resources (PCRS) and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). The VSB team includes two teachers providing the academic programming and one student support worker providing in class and out of class support. Through research funding provided by: National Crime Prevention Center under the Federal Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the PCRS team includes a Social Support Coordinator and two youth care workers, delivering social activities programming, FASD-specific counselling/life skills coaching, after school, week-end and summer recreation activities, and support to the families of students in the program. VCH provides funding and staffing support for pre-employment training and employment attachment.
Short-term objectives: To improve school attendance; increase levels of participation across all academic and social activities to increase the degree of resiliency for FASD affected youth participating in this program.
Long-term objectives: To support students impacted by FASD to successfully complete High School graduation, and/or, to attach to positive social activities including employment. Referrals must go to the Area Screening Committee at Sunrise Centre, telephone 604-713-5432.
Students referred to the program:
- Have a medical diagnosis under the FASD umbrella;
- Reside within the Vancouver School Board Boundaries
Length of Service: This project supports students, as needed, throughout their high school years. The program is divided into three phases.
The purpose of this program is to reduce the long term individual and societal impacts of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) by educating and socializing youth so that they can integrate in society with (optimal) support.
The West Coast Alternate program offers a supportive educational and behavioural environment for individuals whose needs cannot be met in a regular school program, even with necessary modifications. Students have an IEP/ABP (Individual Education Plant/Individual Behaviour Plan) developed to meet their academic and social/emotional needs. Students in this program are provided with friendly skilled academic and social supports, in a safe on-campus location to meet their academic and social goals. The program is operated in collaboration with the Vancouver School Board, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and Pacific Community Resources.
Time Frame: ongoing
Type of Project: demonstration
Population Served: urban
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