At the beginning of the school year, the provincial government announced a new, one time Student and Family Affordability Fund. This fund is designed to ensure that school districts can help expand school meal programs, make sure students have the school supplies they need and to cover any additional fees so that students in need can take part in activities, such as field trips.
The Sooke School District received an allocation of $1,251,529 for the 2022-23 school year. Under the direction of the Ministry of Education and Child Care, the District engaged in consultation with Indigenous partners, the Sooke Parents Education Advisory Council and other stakeholders to inform the development of the action plan for spending the allocation. Consultations focused on developing an understanding of unique needs, prioritization of needs, barriers and stigma related concerns. Input from stakeholders directly informed the guiding principles and subsequent action steps set out in the District’s Student and Family Affordability Fund Action Plan.
Guiding Principles
- Ensure that the funding is used in accordance with the Ministry of Education and Child Care Guidelines.
- Creatively use the funds in as flexible, private and stigma free manner as possible.
- Creatively use the funding to have as broad an impact as possible to ensure those most in need are supported.
- Develop a multi-pronged approach that is a blend of school-based, district-based and community partnership-based initiatives.
- Ensure ongoing consultation with stakeholders including, but not limited to, Indigenous Rights Holders, SPEAC and School PACs, Internal District Stakeholders and Community Partner Agencies.
- Ensure the action plan is organic and flexible and can be adapted to meet the changing needs and overcome unanticipated barriers that may emerge.
Multi-Tiered Approach
Tier 1 – District-Based Initiatives: These initiatives are organized and implemented at the district level in consultation with district stakeholders and include selected educational program fee relief at the elementary, middle, and secondary school level; expansion and development of existing and new school food programs; expansion and development of partnerships with third party community partners.
Tier 2 – School-Based Initiatives: These initiatives are organized and implemented at the school level in consultation with local school stakeholders. Initiatives will focus on additional efforts to address food security, school supply costs, additional fee relief, access to clothing and equipment required for meaningful participation in school-based programs and activities.
Tier 3 – Specialized Initiatives: These initiatives are organized and implemented at the school and district level by specialized staff including our Safe and Healthy Schools team, in particular our team of School Based Social Workers. Initiatives will focus on additional efforts to address food security, school supply costs, additional fee relief, access to clothing and equipment required for meaningful participation in school-based programs and activities by those students and families most in need.
View The Full Student and Family Affordability Fund Action Plan