Item - 2024.HL18.5

The Board of Health recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to enter into agreements, on an ongoing basis, with the Toronto school boards (Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Mon Avenir and Conseil scolaire Viamonde) for the transfer of funds in the total amount of $300,000 or less per year as part of the Into Kids' Health program within the approved Toronto Public Health budget, on such terms and conditions as are satisfactory to the Medical Officer of Health and in a form approved by the City Solicitor.

The Ontario Public Health Standards' School Health Guideline, 2018, indicates that the board of health shall develop and implement a program of public health interventions to improve the health of school-aged children and youth. The Toronto Healthy Schools Strategy formalizes the commitment of Toronto Public Health and the Toronto school boards to support student well-being through the creation of healthy school environments.

The Into Kids’ Health program, is an evidence informed collaboration between Toronto Public Health and Toronto schools serving equity deserving communities that aims to create healthy school environments. Participating schools receive up to $7500 to be spent over two years, as well as additional Toronto Public Health initiatives and resources. A wide range of school initiatives have been implemented through the Into Kids' Health program, including revitalizing outdoor spaces, improving student mental health and strengthening ties to the community.

To expand the reach of the Into Kids' Health program to more equity deserving schools and streamline the administrative process for issuing funds to individual schools, this report seeks City Council authority for Toronto Public Health to transfer funds of $300,000 or less annually beginning in the 2024-2025 school year to participating school boards (Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Mon Avenir, Conseil scolaire Viamonde).