Healthy, Safe and Caring Schools Vision Statement:
Every school will exemplify a culture in which the health of the body, mind, heart and spirit is valued, modeled, taught and embedded into the daily school operation.

Healthy, Safe and Caring Schools Mission Statement:
The mission of the Healthy, Safe and Caring Schools Program is to strengthen the capacity of schools to enhance the well-being of the school community.

History
In 1995 the Greater Victoria School District, with assistance from the Ministry of Children and Family Development, created the Healthy Schools Program. Since then the school and community have been working together to promote the physical, emotional, social and educational development of students. In recent years the Healthy Schools Program (now called the Healthy, Safe and Caring Schools Program to reflect the program's expanded role) has become an integral component of the school district’s Accountability Contract (see Achievement Contract 2008-2009) and is supported through CommunityLINK funding.

The Healthy, Safe and Caring Schools Program encourages and depends on active partnerships between everyone who can and should contribute to the well-being of students, including teachers, parents, peers, health professionals and the community. Also refer to Initiatives that Promote Healthy, Safe and Caring Youth - 2008-2009.

Benefits of Having a Healthy, Safe and Caring Schools Coordinator
Having one person designated to coordinate programs helps to avoid duplication of services and fragmented service delivery. There is one point of contact for all health-related programs. Stable growth is more likely because the Healthy, Safe and Caring Schools Coordinator builds a comprehensive infrastructure to support and sustain health programs. Community groups also benefit because the Coordinator serves as a point person in an otherwise difficult-to-navigate school system.

Role of the SD #61 Healthy, Safe and Caring Schools Coordinator

	To facilitate collaboration between the schools and other agencies and organizations in the community that have an interest in the health and well-being of children and their families.
	To coordinate staff training relative to school health at the district level.
	To coordinate student presentations/education relative to school health at the district level.
	To research and identify relevant resources.

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