Young female teacher working on exams while using a computer in the classroom.

School Grant Opportunities

Schools

The Healthy Schools Recognition Program is based on the 4-step Healthy Schools Process, inspired by the Canadian Healthy School Standards and Canada's Comprehensive School Health Framework.

A Healthy School is one where school staff, parents, students, and community agencies work together to share ideas, plan and take action to create an environment that will have a positive impact on children's health and learning.

2026–27 Healthy Schools Recognition Program

The Healthy Schools Recognition Program (launched in September 2025) is an evolution of the former Healthy Schools Certification program and is delivered in partnership with Ever Active Schools, Ophea and PHE Canada, all founding members of the Canadian Healthy Schools Alliance.

The self-directed and step-based approach to the Healthy Schools Recognition Program encourages student engagement and leadership through health initiatives that promote student belonging, school connectedness and overall health and well-being.

Schools follows four simple steps:

  1. Areas assemble a team
  2. Identify a school community priority areas, assets and goals
  3. Develop a plan and take action
  4. Celebrate and reflect

WDG Public Health is awarding up to 20 eligible elementary and/or secondary schools with a Healthy Schools Grant valued at $350.

To apply for a grant:

1. Register for the Healthy Schools Recognition Program (proof of registration required)

2. Complete the WDG Healthy Schools grant application.

Youth Empowering Students for Mental Health (YES4MH)

YES4MH is another healthy schools initiative promoting student mental health and well-being through student engagement and leadership. YES4MH is tailored to create a supportive and resilient school and community environment for youth in secondary schools in WDG.

YES4MH Vision & Goals

  • Promote mental health & well-being.
  • Improve mental health literacy & reduce stigma.
  • Increase awareness of resources & supports.
  • Build capacity to create a supportive and resilient school.

5-Step Process

To help guide students and staff in planning and implementing activities to help make their school a mentally healthy community, a 5-Step Process (PDF) has been developed.

Yes4Mh program 5 step process

Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel.

Please note that YES4MH grants are not available for open application. Secondary schools will be selected to participate based on a collaborative selection process between WDG Public Health and school boards. Secondary schools will be contacted directly if they are eligible to participate.

You’re the Chef Program

You're the chef program logo

You’re the Chef (YTC) is a 6-week food skills program that helps students in Grades 5 to 8 build the knowledge, skills and confidence in preparing delicious recipes featuring fruits and vegetables.

YTC can be implemented as part of your Healthy Schools approach or offered as a stand-alone program. Public Health provides annual training in the fall for school staff interested in delivering the program. A limited number of grants are available to trained schools to help cover food costs.

Staff who have previously been trained in YTC and are interested in implementing the program are encouraged to visit the You're the Chef website to apply for 2026-2027 school grants.

To learn more about YTC or school grants, contact us at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006 or email clientcommunitysupport@wdgpublichealth.ca. 

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