Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS) is pleased to introduce a new initiative to further support the mental health needs of students and their families.
In partnership with CASA Mental Health, Alberta Education, and Alberta Mental Health and Addiction, NLPS has opened a new CASA Classroom at H.E. Bourgoin School in Bonnyville. This specialized classroom is designed to support up to 12 students who have one or more mental health diagnoses that are impacting their home or school life.
“We welcomed the opportunity to host a CASA Classroom and add another layer of support to what we are able to offer our students and their families,” said Board Chair Karen Packard. “We are grateful to all of the partners who are working collaboratively to support our students and believe this will make a meaningful impact in the lives of our students and their families.”
The CASA Classroom at H.E.Bourgoin is one of nine that opened across Alberta in September and is the first one established in the Lakeland region.
“We are excited to host the first CASA Classroom in the Lakeland region and provide critically-important mental health services for our students,” said Superintendent Rick Cusson. “This innovative model will allow us to address students’ mental health needs within the school environment, and allow them to stay in their communities while they and their families get the support they need.”
The Northern Lights CASA Classroom serves students in grades 5 to 8 from the Bonnyville and Cold Lake areas. Students benefit from a combination of academic instruction, individual therapy, group therapy, and psychiatric care tailored to their specific needs. The program also extends support to caregivers, offering mental health education, and connecting them with community resources and supports.
