The province is moving forward as the lead jurisdiction for the Joint Consortium for School Health by hiring Katherine Kelly as the new Executive Director, said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie.
This is an exciting new opportunity for Katherine Kelly and a welcome $2.5 million boost to our One Island Community,” said Minister Currie. “Katherine’s extensive background in both education and health and her recent experience with provincial territorial relations will be a tremendous asset as she leads this Canada-wide school health initiative.”
Ms. Kelly holds a Masters in Education in Leadership and Learning and has played a key role in federal provincial territorial (FPT) relations for the province’s health department since 2005. Her many community activities include Vice President of Ceremonies, Protocol and Hospitality for the 2009 Canada Games and Regional Health Board Chair for East Prince Health. Her appointment is effective May 3, 2010.
The Joint Consortium for School Health was established 5 years ago by ministers of education and health from across Canada. The main purpose is to pull Canada’s health and education systems together to ensure health promotion in schools is carried out in a coordinated and comprehensive way.
In keeping with the coordinated management approach, the Consortium rotates to a new lead jurisdiction every five years. Prince Edward Island is the lead now until 2015.
It will operate from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development office in Summerside with three new staff.
“Schools have been playing a leadership role in the health and development of children and youth for a long time,” said Minister Currie. “This Consortium is in place to help maximize the tremendous work already underway to support students as healthy and productive members of society.”
Revenue for the Joint Consortium for School Health is provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the member jurisdictions. It represents about $2.5 million in new money for the province.