Saamis Re-Education About Living (REAL) Program

McMann Re-Education About Living (REAL) Program

This program is operated by Medicine Hat School District and housed in McMan Youth, Family and Community Services. It is designed to meet the needs of students between the ages of 12 and 15 who have emotional and behavioral disorders that seriously interfere with classroom and school-based learning. The educational focus is on individualized instruction, vocational preparation and transition to a regular school setting. Classes are held Monday through Friday with mandatory attendance. Support staff is available to provide individual, group and family counseling interventions.

Students entering this program are likely to display significant risk factors that prevent their success in a mainstream academic program. Requests for program registration are forwarded to the District Placement Committee who ensures students require the level of intensive program intervention provided by this program. Planning for a return to regular school is based on accessible supports and on the students ability to meet minimum educational, behavioral and attendance expectations.

Young Moms Program

Early Intervention Program for Teen Mothers

This program is operated by Medicine Hat School District and is designed for young mothers between the ages of 13 and 19 who are pregnant or who are parenting preschool age children. Its main goal is to provide a core curriculum program that facilitates high school completion by assisting the student with identifying and meeting personal needs through information, support, and positive lifestyle choices. The on-site social work staff assists the students with practical living, recreational, social and child care skills and also provides instruction in child development, parenting and employment preparation. On-site quality child care is available with subsidies and financial assistance to cover the parent portion of the cost as necessary. Financial assistance for city transit is also available. A small monthly fee is charged to each student. The majority of program costs are funded by Southeast Alberta Child and Family Services. The facility is provided by the YMCA.

Palliser Adolescent Services (PAS)

Ground Level, Regional Resource Centre

This program is jointly operated by Medicine Hat School District and Palliser Health. It is designed to meet the needs of students Grades 7 to 12 who have emotional and mental health problems that seriously interfere with their ability to progress in a regular school environment. The program has both a school component and a therapy component. The school employs a professional teacher who accesses assignments and materials from the students originating school. The therapy component is based on a multi-disciplinary approach to assessment and treatment. It has the advantage of being able to facilitate access to a child psychiatrist, to mental health professionals and to occupational and recreational therapists.

Admission to the program is voluntary and is based on parent consent and involvement. The program involves a 6-week length of stay and a transition plan for school re-entry. A referral to the Principal of Outreach Programs is necessary.

YMCA Stay In School Junior High Program

The Y-School offers regular curriculum to Grades 7, 8 and 9 in the core courses of Math, Social, Science, Language Arts, Health, and Physical Education, as well as Option based courses. The school is designed to specialize in providing enhanced supports and accommodations to students who are able to learn within average range but who are not able to deal with the demands and pressures of larger city school environments. The school has a strong focus on teaching citizenship and respect for the rights of others. The facility is provided by the YMCA.

Attendance is mandatory. All grade 9 students are expected to write Provincial Achievement Exams. Requests for program registration are forwarded to the District Placement Committee who ensures students are able to achieve to the program standard.