Located in Frank Ryan Catholic Intermediate School, in Ottawa, Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre provides services for children with severe emotional and self-regulation problems. Mental health services are provided by psychology, social work and psychiatric consultation and through collaboration with other partners. In addition to the school program based on the Ministry of Education Curriculum, a strong emphasis is placed on emotional and social learning as well as on working with parents and the family system.
Students in our program are working towards meeting expectations from the Ontario Curriculum. All students have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) created by the classroom teacher in collaboration with the educational assistant and the child’s parents/guardians. In order to focus on Social Emotional Learning, all students in our program are placed on a modified Science and Social Studies program and complete a reduced number of grade-level curriculum expectations. Students also work toward achieving individual Learning Skill goals.
There are five classes within the middle school (Frank Ryan) with 24 spaces for primary children ages 6-9 and 36 spaces for junior children ages 9-12.
The average length of stay in our program is one school year. Referrals to our program are made by the student’s community school and program admission is decided upon by the Coordinated Referral Committee through Coordinated Access.
At the completion of their time with McHugh, students and staff are provided additional support from a McHugh Transitions Teacher, to ensure a safe and successful transition for those involved.
