Fall conference: Friday december 7, 2012
School mental Health in Ontario: 
New Initiatives, emerging research possibilities

On Friday, December 7, the AERO membership convened at the Old Mill Inn in Toronto for the 2012 iteration of the annual Fall Conference. This year’s topic was School Mental Health in Ontario: New Initiatives and Emerging Research Possibilities. In the morning, Dr. Kathy Short and Dr. Bruce Ferguson collaborated to provide an engaging keynote presentation on the School Mental Health - Awareness, Strategy Selection and Implementation Support Team (ASSIST) initiative, outlining foundations and key activities. Kathy and Bruce also facilitated a successful working session which focused on the monitoring and evaluation of the School Mental Health ASSIST intervention.  Maureen McKay, Social Worker and Mental Health Lead in the Peel District School Board (PDSB), along with Elana Gray, Research Officer from PDSB concluded the morning agenda with the delivery of a comprehensive presentation on the development and evaluation of the mental health strategy in the PDSB.  

Cheryl Backlund, AERO President

Keynote: Dr. Kathy Short and Dr. Bruce Ferguson, ASSIST Team Members

In the afternoon, Dr. Melanie Barwick of Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children presented the Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale. Dr. Barwick addressed what has been learned so far about children and youth with use of this measure, and advocated for broader use of the tool. Philippe Venesoen of the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) delivered the final presentation of the conference and addressed the evaluation of the Mental Health Strategic Plan in TVDSB. Philippe shared results to date and discussed next steps regarding this important work.

Conversation and connection highlights from Twitter....

Conference Materials:

Keynote - School Mental Health in Ontario: New Initiatives, Emerging Research Possibilities
Dr. Kathy Short and Dr. Bruce Ferguson

Open Minds Healthy Minds: Mental Health and Addictions Strategy
Maureen MacKay and Elana Gray, Peel District School Board

The CAFAS: A Mental Health Outcome Measurement Tool
Dr. Melanie Barwick, Hospital for Sick Children 

Evaluation of the TVDSB Mental Health Strategic Plan
Philippe Venesoen and Dr. Sarah Folino, Thames Valley District School Board

Many thanks to the presenters for sharing their time and their expertise.  As well, thank you to  the members of the AERO Professional Learning Committee (Terry Spencer, Susan Palijan, Kim Bennett, Yvonne Bienko, Chris Conley, Lynn Kostuch and Kathy Thompson) for planning and delivering this very successful event.