As part of its commitment to capacity building, the Joint Consortium for School Health (JCSH) is supporting the development of work groups to focus on specific health and social issues, sub-populations and elements of school health promotion.

The work groups will help to facilitate collaboration between the health and education sectors, as well as between the JCSH and other organizations, including federal departments, other FPT groups, national agencies and subject-matter experts.  The groups will meet primarily by telephone and be comprised of experts, NGO representatives, school health coordinators, federal officials and provincial/territorial ministry officials.

Each work group will publish a scan of recent, current and planned activites in its particular area of focus.  It will also list potential, practical activities that can be undertaken at a pan-Canadian level.  The goal is not to develop extensive strategies or actions plans.  It is to identify small-scale activities that can be accomplished with a minimum of cost, time and risk.

The JCSH will provide practical support for the work groups, including assistance to locate funds or establish needed partnerships.

Work groups established to date are focusing on the following subjects:

• Physical Activity, Sport Participation and Recreation
• Sexual Health