It Takes a Village….
Brantford Police Services
The Brantford Police Services are our longest standing partner. Traditionally, the K.I.D.S. program (and the D.A.R.E. program before it) was delivered by a uniformed police constable. While that practice is no longer sustainable, the three law enforcement oriented modules of the K.I.D.S. program (Online and Social Media, Youth and the Law and Substance Awareness) are now delivered by the Elementary School Resource Coordinator, a civilian support staff working with youth in a variety of areas through the Brantford Police Services. Active duty police personnel continue work in conjunction with the Board of Directors to provide support and consultation in the development, maintenance and administration of the K.I.D.S. program.
Meet Kathryn Gratton :
Elementary School Resource Coordinator
Kathryn Gratton is the Elementary School Resource Coordinator for the Brantford Police Service and delivers the K.I.D.S. program to grade six students within the City of Brantford. After almost seventeen years as an Educational Assistant, Kathryn continues her passion of serving students in her new role. She is deeply committed to engaging and educating elementary-aged students with the skills they need to help keep them safe, both online and in the community.
Brant County Health Unit
The Brant County Health Unit is one of 35 health units in Ontario. They provide health promotion, protection and disease prevention programs and services designed to help all members of the community achieve and maintain optimal health. They strive to provide excellence in public health, exemplifying the spirit of innovation, quality and collaboration.
School based public health nurses provide the direct instruction of the health related modules of the K.I.D.S. program (Mental Health and Healthy Relationships) in the grade 6 home school classrooms and are available to students and teachers for follow up as necessary.
The Brant County Health Unit Research and Assessment staff provides invaluable resource support to the T.I.C.K. Board of Directors in the development and interpretation of data collection and program evaluation tools. A Public Health nurse also sits as a member of the Board of Directors.
The Children’s Safety Village of Brant
The Children’s Safety Village of Brant is a specially designed learning facility that was built by the community as a registered charity and managed by a volunteer Board of Directors. At the Village, children of all ages learn effective personal safety strategies and how to respond to dangerous or threatening situations. The Children’s Safety Village has been the host site for the training of 1,000 school Safety Patrollers each year. The Village is pleased to welcome our Elementary School Resource Coordinator and Grade 6 students from all over Brantford to participate in their one day intensive K.I.D.S. learning experience.
Community School Boards
The T.I.C.K. Board of Directors works closely with the Grand Erie District School Board and the Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk Catholic District School Board. Both boards sanction the delivery of the T.I.C.K program in their schools and provide contact information to allow communication with the Grade 6 teachers and students.
We are pleased to have the involvement of consultative staff from both boards of education in the ongoing revision of our curriculum, insuring that the messaging is constant with and complimentary to school board initiatives and that the K.I.D.S. program continues to reflect the learning outcomes of the Provincial Curriculum.