YMCA of the National Capital Region
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Taking a Step Back from School to Get Back on Track.

Back on Track is a 3-to-5 day out-of-classroom program that provides students aged 12 to 17 who are having difficulties at school with the opportunity to take a step back.

The program offers a positive and restorative experience that fosters personal growth, autonomy, and the development of social skills in lieu of disciplinary measures. 

Program includes:

  • Time in the morning for youth to keep up with their schoolwork. Students receive support to work through assignments and write tests assigned by their school teachers. 
  • Practice new study skills to help them feel more prepared for when they return to school.

  • Allows students to reflect and define goals based off what has been happening at school and in their social life. Students create objectives and brainstorm ideas about how to have more success when they return to these environments. 
  • Gain perspective and take a breath to stop the downward spiral

  • Receive the support of a qualified youth worker, through small group workshops. These workshops aim to support students in working on their reason for referral.
  • Workshops may include: Self-Esteem, Motivation, Conflict Resolution, Responsibility at Every age, Identifying my values, Bullying, Impulsivity and more.

  • On the day following the referral, a youth worker plans a meeting at school with the student, parent, youth worker and Vice Principal to empower the youth to share the goals they’ve created while at Back on Track.
  • Youth are referred to community supports depending on their needs; such as a guidance counsellor, social worker, career counsellor or other community resource. 
  • After one month back at school, the youth worker will visit the school to check on the student and review the goals they created while at Back on Track. 

Learn more

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Eligibility Requirements

  • Students in grade 7 to 12
  • Currently enrolled at a partnered Ottawa Catholic School Board school
  • Must be able to commit to a minimum of 3 complete days at the Back on Track program
     

Central Location

Taggart Family YMCA
180 Argyle Avenue, Room 252
Ottawa, ON

(613) 237-1320, ext 5096
backontrack@ymcaottawa.ca

West Location

Employment Access Centre West Location
1642 Merivale Road, 2nd floor
Nepean, ON 

(613) 803-7916
backontrack@ymcaottawa.ca

Kanata Location

Community Employment Resource Centre
415 Hazeldean Road
Kanata, ON 

(613) 720-3226
backontrack@ymcaottawa.ca