Correctional Services
Students are referred to the education program through the judicial system.
Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre
The Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre is located in the East end of Ottawa, and overseen by Correctional Services Canada. There is one McHugh teacher at this unit, who serves male and female students ages 18 to 21, who are in detention awaiting trial or sentenced to secure custody as determined by the Courts. The length of the sentence may vary from months to up to two years.
Students come to us from a variety of lived experiences. This population has a range of cognitive profiles, identified learning exceptionalities and diagnoses. For example, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, ADHD, verbal and nonverbal learning disabilities. Many also experience mental health issues including affective disorders.
While in our custody programs, students work to achieve curriculum learning expectations set out by Ontario’s Ministry of Education. We support various pathways including apprenticeship, college, community living, university, and workplace.
All students have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) which is developed collaboratively by the classroom teacher and student, in consultation with a primary child and youth worker and parent/guardian if a student is under 18.
All classrooms are staffed with a McHugh Teacher and a minimum of one Child and Youth Worker. There is an emphasis on creating safe and secure learning environments to foster student wellbeing and achievement.
Referral Process – Referrals to this program are made through the judicial system.
Roberts/Smart — Secure
The Roberts/Smart Centre is an accredited children’s mental health centre that delivers specialized treatment and clinical services to youth ages 12-17. Located in the Hampton Park area, The Centre is an integrated children’s mental health agency dedicated to the treatment of severely troubled, behaviourally and emotionally challenged children and adolescents with exceptional psychosocial needs.
The program is residential, with 8 beds in a secure facility. Youth are admitted to these beds by the court system and the length of stay is determined by Family Court. This program provides treatment specific to adolescents with mental health disorders who have demonstrated that they are a danger to themselves or others and that they require services in a highly secure facility. Admission to the intensive treatment program is prescribed by legislation (Child and Family Services Act (CFSA), R.S.O. 1990, Chapter C.11, section 114).
An M.F. McHugh teacher provides the educational component of the program in a dedicated classroom space. All students are given individual programming, as they work toward their high school diploma, and the teacher works collaboratively with a team of professional from Roberts/Smart Centre to ensure the success of the students. Academic courses are offered as well as learning strategies, life/social skills groups, physical education and art credits. The main focus is on social and emotional learning in a classroom setting. Students have access to a gym, a garden, kitchen and supervised, appropriate technology for their courses.
In addition to their regular academic programming, students are given opportunities throughout the year to work with a McHugh Itinerant Tech Teacher on a variety of projects to develop hands-on skill, and to create meaningful learning opportunities.
Referral Process – Referrals to this program are made through other mechanisms that may include, Youth Justice, mental health, or for medical reasons.
External Links:
Youth Services Bureau — Sherwood
The Youth Services Bureau Sherwood Unit is located in Ottawa, and serves male students between the ages of 12 and 18. There are eight spaces in this unit. Students in this facility are placed by the judicial system; some may be awaiting sentencing while others may be completing their sentence in an open custody setting.
M.F. McHugh provides educational programming for students who have been placed in open or secure custody through the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Students may be placed in detention pending sentencing, while others may be completing their sentence. The length of stay can vary from a couple of days to years.
Students come to us from a variety of lived experiences. This population has a range of cognitive profiles, identified learning exceptionalities and diagnoses. For example, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, ADHD, verbal and nonverbal learning disabilities. Many also experience mental health issues including affective disorders.
While in our custody programs, students work to achieve curriculum learning expectations set out by Ontario’s Ministry of Education. We support various pathways including apprenticeship, college, community living, university, and workplace.
In addition to their regular academic programming, students are given opportunities throughout the year to work with a McHugh Itinerant Tech Teacher on a variety of projects to develop hands-on skill, and to create meaningful learning opportunities.
All students have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) which is developed collaboratively by the classroom teacher and student, in consultation with a primary child and youth worker and parent/guardian if a student is under 18.
All classrooms are staffed with a McHugh Teacher and a minimum of one Child and Youth Worker. There is an emphasis on creating safe and secure learning environments to foster student wellbeing and achievement.
Referral Process – Referrals to this program are made through the judicial system.
Youth Services Bureau — William E. Hay Centre
The Youth Services Bureau, Youth Justice Services, William E. Hay Centre is a residential facility, located in Ottawa, for up to 32 adolescent males aged 12 to 18 who have been sentenced to a secure custody setting by the Courts.
Three M.F. McHugh teachers provide educational programming for students who have been placed in open or secure custody through the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Students may be placed in detention pending sentencing, while others may be completing their sentence. The length of stay can vary from a couple of days to years.
Students come to us from a variety of lived experiences. This population has a range of cognitive profiles, identified learning exceptionalities and diagnoses. For example, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, ADHD, verbal and nonverbal learning disabilities. Many also experience mental health issues including affective disorders.
While in our custody programs, students work to achieve curriculum learning expectations set out by Ontario’s Ministry of Education. We support various pathways including apprenticeship, college, community living, university, and workplace.
All students have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) which is developed collaboratively by the classroom teacher and student, in consultation with a primary child and youth worker and parent/guardian if a student is under 18. In accordance with their IEP, students are able to access the Ontario curriculum with a variety of assistive technology tools to support them in their learning.
All classrooms are staffed with a McHugh Teacher and a minimum of one Child and Youth Worker. There is an emphasis on creating safe and secure learning environments to foster student wellbeing and achievement.
Referral Process – Referrals to this program are made through the judicial system.