The Boundary Family and Individual Services Society (BFISS) was presented an Award of Recognition by the BC School Superintendents’ Association (BCSSA) recently in Vancouver.
BFISS is a non-profit society providing a wide variety of programs to meet the needs and interests of children, youth and families in the Boundary – the exact geographic area of School District 51 (Boundary).
“It was a great honour to be recognized by the BC School Superintendents’ Association,” said Leda Leander, executive director of BFISS. “We have accepted this honour on behalf of all of the individuals and organizations in the Boundary area that are collaborating to provide opportunities for children, youth and families.”
In a press release announcing the award, BCSSA said that BFISS and the school district have developed a strong partnership to deliver services to families and students across the Boundary school district. “Their partnership has allowed the region to create a top-tier community table of service providers (Boundary Integrated Services Team) comprised of:
- Ministry for Children and Family Development
- Public health
- Sunshine Valley Little Peoples’ Centre (non-profit)
- Boundary Family and Individual Services Society
- School District 51 (Boundary)
“These groups collaborate and leverage their combined resources to deliver services to children and families across the region,” the release read.
Boundary Family Centres, which are located in the district’s elementary schools, were developed as a collaborative effort between BFISS and the school district.
“The Boundary Family Centres were born (2001) out of the work of a group of caring and committed community partners who dreamed of integrated family centres where children, youth and their caregivers could conveniently access a range of individual and family health and wellness services.
Since 2003 the centres have been enriching the lives of families in the Boundary region.”
“I am very pleased that the BC Superintendents’ Association recognized the important work that BFISS does across the Boundary and that it is an important partner of the school district in supporting children and families in the region,” said Superintendent of Schools Michael Strukoff.
“This partnership makes a significant contribution to the success of our students like a 94 per cent graduation rate and a 93 per cent graduation rate for Aboriginal students,” he said.
– Pat Kelly is reporter for the Boundary Creek Times