‘We respond to the needs of the family’

Conseil scolaire acadien provincial’s Schoolsplus program provides support for students and families

As the province’s first and only francophone school board, Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) has enriched the lives of thousands of students with a French-language education at its 22 schools across Nova Scotia since its inception in 1996.

With a talented and devoted staff focused on serving the province’s Acadian and francophone communities, the growing provincial school board is committed to providing an inclusive education system that supports the well-being and success of every student.

Gabrielle Lambert works as a community outreach worker for the CSAP’S Schoolsplus program — an initiative of the provincial government aimed at providing support to students and families.

Offered by both the CSAP and regional centres for education in Nova Scotia, Schoolsplus is the link between the community and the school, according to Lambert. The program is available in schools throughout the province and addresses a wide range of socioeconomic issues facing students and families today, including mental health struggles, financial difficulties, job loss, lack of affordable housing and children with behavioural problems.

In addition to providing access to mental health services, the program also offers support through mentoring, homework clubs, recreational services and more, helping to fill in the gaps for children, youth and families.

“We help them find the services to respond to their needs,” explains Lambert, who holds degrees in both psychology and social work and works at École Bois-joli and École du Carrefour.

“We work closely with families who are having challenges or who need support. We are a service that responds to the needs of the family.”

Being employed by the school board has been a rewarding experience for Lambert, who first started working for the CSAP as a behavioural specialist in 2018 before assuming her current position a couple of years ago. She says she has been able to witness first-hand the difference she and other staff members at the CSAP make in the lives of francophone families in the community.

“I feel really, really good working for the CSAP because I feel like my role is important, and we are able to see that impact because when I help a family struggling by giving them tools, advice and other resources, they are able to build more confidence and do better,” she says.

“If children are going to meet their goals, they need to be healthy both physically and mentally,” she adds.

Committed to maximizing potential and ensuring professional growth, the CSAP both encourages and supports ample time for professional development opportunities for its staff and continuous training for those who want to learn more about a particular subject or who require additional resources.

“They take good care of their employees. They’re always there for us,” she says.

Inclusion is a priority for the CSAP, and while teachers always play a key role, the board also works to bring in other professionals, like Lambert, to support the classroom educators and create an environment that values teamwork, collaboration and leadership for all its employees.

“I feel included in the team despite not being a teacher, and when we talk about inclusion, we can provide that type of service, too, by including all families and providing a high quality of services to those who need help in a variety of different areas,” Lambert says.

As part of her role as a community outreach worker, Lambert also puts on workshops for parents and students on topics like managing emotions, reducing stress, learning effective parenting skills, how to babysit and how to improve relationships.

Additionally, the program offers vital interventions, such as support for students exposed to domestic violence, experiencing poverty and navigating important issues like mental health and questions about gender and sexuality.

“We do a lot,” Lambert says. “My days are never the same.”

Lambert feels her role is well-understood and that she’s making a tangible difference in the lives of francophone families, but she’s also grateful to have an opportunity to work and interact with the community in French.

“It is very important to me because it allows me to work for and provide quality service to my francophone community,” she says.

“I was given this opportunity, so I’m proud to work for the CASP, for sure. We are a really good team.”