Day of Champions: March 6

NEWS RELEASE

CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY OF ALGOMA

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A Day of Champions Symposium
 
The Crown Ward Education Championship Team (CWECT) of Algoma is excited to announce that they will be hosting “A Day of Champions” Symposium.

The symposium will be held March 6, 2012, at the Water Tower Inn in Sault Ste. Marie with videoconferencing to W.C. Eaket High School in Blind River and Michipicoten High School in Wawa. 

A keynote address by Dr. Bruce Ferguson of Sick Kids Hospital will lead the discussion on the importance of supporting education in a circle of care model.
 
A Day of Champions Symposium will bring together elementary and secondary school teachers, school board administrators, Children’s Aid Society of Algoma workers, Nog Da Win Da Min Family and Community Services staff, Algoma Family Services staff, Sault College and Algoma University personnel to discuss the importance of education for children and youth given Crown ward status.

Through the symposium, CWECT of Algoma will be working towards closing the gaps identified by a needs assessment conducted on youth with Crown ward status in Algoma.

A Crown ward refers to a child or youth who has been made a permanent ward of the Province of Ontario.
 
CWECT of Algoma has been established to support the transition from one level of education to the next for children and youth with Crown ward status.

Funded through the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, CWECT of Algoma began meeting in May 2011.

CWECT of Algoma partners include the Children’s Aid Society of Algoma, Algoma University, Nog Da Win Da Min Family and Community Services, Algoma District School Board, Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board and Sault College.
 
About children and youth with Crown ward status

• 44 percent of Crown ward youth graduate high school in Ontario compared to 81 percent of their peers

• Children with Crown ward status are more likely to live in poverty, experience unemployment and homelessness, struggle with mental health and become involved with the criminal justice system

We can do this together.
Education is the key to change.

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