Ottawa Public Health(for general public) |
*Please note that the Dental Health Resource Bin is no longer available |
Canada Dental Care Plan |
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) can help make the cost of dental care more affordable for eligible Canadian children under the age of 18. |
Canadian Dental Association |
Children activities and teaching resources to promote the importance of oral health to children in a fun way. |
Healthy Smiles Ontario |
Free dental care program for children 17 years old and under, if eligible. Designed for lower-income families in need of support. |
Additional Resources
Environmental Health and Reporting
Food Safety |
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Animal bites and scratches |
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Head lice are a common concern in schools, and it’s important for administrators to have clear and consistent guidelines to address this issue. This page provides essential information and resources to help schools manage situations involving students with head lice, ensure appropriate treatment, and communicate with parents and the school community. By following the guidance, schools can reduce disruption and support an inclusive environment for all students and families.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Ottawa Public Health provides answers to common questions related to head lice in schools:
- What are head lice?
- How are head lice transmitted?
- Can children attend school if they have lice or nits?
- Who should be notified when head lice are identified in a school?
- How can head lice be treated?
- How should personal items and the classroom be cleaned?
Documents for Schools
When head lice are identified, it’s important for schools to handle the situation in a way that is both sensitive and effective. Schools should notify parents or caregivers if a child is suspected of having head lice or if there is a case in the classroom. Children who have lice or nits may remain at school, as there is no medical reason to exclude them. The focus should be on ensuring the child receives treatment and that the situation is managed discreetly to prevent embarrassment.
To keep parents and caregivers informed and support effective treatment, school administrators can send the following documents:
- Notice to Parents About Head Lice (for printing)
- Notice to Parents About Head Lice (for electronic use)
- Head Lice Fact Sheets
A full course of treatment and avoiding close head-to-head contact are recommended.
Additional Resources
AboutKidsHealth - SickKids |
Information on head lice, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Available as downloadable PDFs in English, French, Arabic, Spanish, Urdu, and Tamil. Also available in an audio format. |
Canadian Paediatric Society |
Information on head lice, treatment and guidance for school setting. |
Healthy Eating
Ottawa Public Health(for general audience) |
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Canada’s food guide |
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Cookspiration: Recipes and menu planning |
Recipe ideas, with photos, to fit any palate or appetite. Recipes include nutritional details. |
Love Food Hate Waste |
The Food Matters Action Kit is loaded with informative resources and hands-on, creative activities – such as organizing a Disco Soup party or learning food preservations techniques from elders – to inspire kids of all ages to prevent food waste at home, at school and in the community. Activities in the kit are designed for kids, from ages 5 to 13, and youth, from ages 14 to 25, to understand the distribution process of food and get innovative in their ideas to prevent food waste. |
OPHEA Healthy Schools Healthy Communities: Planning Supports |
Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA) is a registered provincial charity providing quality curriculum and classroom supports for educators. |
Ontario Dietitians in Public Health |
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School Breakfast Program - Ottawa Network for Education |
Providing students in need with a nutritious breakfast – giving them the chance to start their day ready to learn on equal footing with their peers. With support from individual and corporate donors, volunteers, educators, the City of Ottawa, and the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, we ensure that local children and youth have the energy their growing bodies and developing brains need to succeed in school. |
Sick Kids: Promoting a positive body image
Eating Disorders Ontario Prevention: Overview of Disordered Eating Prevention. How can schools help? |
Learn more about promoting positive body image in children and improving their overall health. |
Student Nutrition Program Resources |
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UnlockFood Children’s Nutrition |
Information on nutrition, food and healthy eating, as well as recipes, videos and online tools. |
Active Living (Physical Activity)
Ottawa Public Health(for general public) |
Healthy Living:
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24-Hour Movement Guidelines |
The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines provide clear direction for what a healthy 24 hours looks like with regards to participating in physical activity, sedentary time and sleep. The Guidelines for the Early Years and Children and Youth cover the 0-17 age groups. |
Active Outdoor Play |
Access to active play in nature and outdoors – with its developmentally-appropriate risks – is essential for healthy child development, including physical and mental well-being.
Outdoor Play Canada created the 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play (AOP10). Organizations or individuals can endorse the AOP10. The AOP10:
Resources for Schools
Resources for Parents Outside Play has the Outside Play Parent Tool that parents and caregivers can use to reflect on how they encourage the children in their life to play. |
Active for Life |
Activities, games, movement skills and lesson plans. |
Active Abilities Canada |
Encourages people with disabilities to make physical activity a regular part of their lives and help build the capacity of communities and organizations to make this possible. |
Canadian Intramural Recreation Association Ontario (CIRA Ontario) |
This is a registered charity with a mission to promote healthy and active living via intramural and recreation programs that take place within the education and recreation communities. |
Canadian Women & Sport |
Building better sport through gender equity. Experts on systemic change strive to build a stronger, more equitable sport system for girls and women and for all Canadians. |
Daily Physical Activity in elementary schools, grades 1-8 (Policy/Program Memorandum 138) |
Daily Physical Activity in the classroom Toolkit Teacher resource includes videos, activities, and posters for teachers to lead daily classroom physical activity for grade levels k-3, 4-6 and 7-8. |
Health and Physical Education |
The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1–8: Health and Physical Education. |
Healthy Canadians - Being Active |
Benefits of adding activity to your lifestyle, recommended guidelines, encouraging children to be active, playing safely. |
Healthy Schools Certification |
Healthy Schools Certification provides tools to supports your school to promote and enhance the health and well being of the entire school community. Register your school and check out the Healthy Schools Certification Guidebook 2024-2025 for more information. |
Jump Rope for Heart |
Jump is about kids helping kids across Canada every year in physical activity to build healthy habits for life!
Schools can run Jump in school or virtually – with support from Jump Rope for Heart. Teacher resources including a Teacher’s Jump planning guide and lesson plans for Grade K-6. |
Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (Ophea) |
Lesson plans, supplements and activities are available for daily physical activity. *Note: to access OPHEA’s Health and Physical Education Curriculum Resources for Grades 1-8 and/or OPHEA’s Health and Physical Education Secondary Resources, a paid school board membership or individual school subscription is required.
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ParticipACTION |
Interactive activities for students. Fact sheets, activity posters, games and more. |
Physical & Health Education Canada |
Programs to ensure that children are receiving the very best physical activity and physical and health education programming designed to be inclusive, fun and support the development of the whole child. |
Sport for Life |
Sport for Life strives to improve opportunities for enhanced physical literacy programming, prepare more Canadians to pursue excellence in sport, and increase the likelihood of Canadians staying active for life.
Resources for athletes with a disability, best practices, physical literacy, parents, coaches and implementation. |
Unstructured Play
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The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) recognizes unstructured play as a child’s right and a critical component to child and youth health and well-being; Canadian Public Health Association Advocacy Position Statements. |
Ottawa Student Transportation Authority |
The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) is responsible for all home-to-school transportation on behalf of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB). OSTA delivers safe and efficient transportation services to students at both its Member School Boards using yellow buses, wheelchair buses, school purpose vans and School Active Transportation programs. |
Ottawa Safety Council |
The Ottawa Safety Council is a not-for-profit organization offering an array of programs and services to the residents of Ottawa. Their programs include School Zone Safety (Crossing Guards, Pedestrian Safety, Bicycle Safety and Booster Seat Safety). Information on the WalkSafe Presentations (for kindergarten to grade 6) Information on Car & Booster Seat Safety |
Ontario Active School Travel |
Information and tips for increasing active school travel. Includes: |
Human Development and Sexual Health (including abuse prevention)
Order Free Condoms:
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Want FREE condoms or dental dams delivered to your school? Order them free online. Using condoms and dental dams are the only forms of protection that can help stop the transmission of sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, HIV, and syphilis. Condom use can prevent unplanned pregnancies at the same time. There are many different brands available. There are lubricated or non-lubricated, latex or non-latex options. |
Sexuality and Gender Diversity Definitions |
The rainbow flag is a symbol of the growing movement to accept, celebrate, and embrace sexual diversity, and to support efforts that aim to end discrimination. Whether or not you identify as a member of the LGBTQ2+ community, you can still be part of the movement to end discrimination. Understanding these terms can support you in providing inclusive Sexual Health education in your classroom. |
Ottawa Public Health(for general public) |
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Planned Parenthood Ottawa |
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Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P)Kids in the Know |
*Please contact your school board or C3P to access the lessons or full program. |
Public Health Agency of Canada |
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Sex Information & Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) and Health Canada |
Physically Disabled Youth Sexual Health Information Sheets:
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Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada |
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Ottawa Public Health(for general public) |
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People-First Language: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Stigma(Ottawa Public Health) |
Mental health issues and thoughts of suicide are very often misunderstood. The stigma that people experience can prevent them from discussing their conditions and from seeking help when they need it. Using person-centered language to talk about mental illness ensures the person is seen as a person first, not as their illness. |
Stigma: How You Can Impact Change (online course)(Ottawa Public Health) |
Free bilingual course takes 30 minutes to complete, accessible through the StopoverdoseOttawa.ca website (and through Olearn). The course covers:
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Media Smarts |
MediaSmarts has been developing digital media literacy programs and resources for Canadian homes, schools and communities since 1996. The resource includes lessons, tip sheets, guides, related games/activities, PD and classroom tutorials for online safety. Includes sections on:
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Ophea |
This site includes everything anyone who teaches kids needs to enable children and youth to lead healthy active lives. |
Physical & Health Education Canada - |
Simple-to-use strategies and tools to assess resilience needs and provide resources to promote and enhance teacher and student mental health. |
School Mental Health Ontario |
Lesson plans created in collaboration with Ophea to support stress management and healthy coping skills. Each lesson plan is organized by different age groups: early years, grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12. |
Personal Safety and Injury Prevention
Check out the resources below to find ways to keep you and your family active and safe. Need information on helmet safety? Or maybe you want to know more about mosquito and tick bites. We've got you covered!
Injury Prevention
Ottawa Public Health(for general public) |
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Concussions
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Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) |
Information to help you better understand, cope with and/or support someone with a concussion. |
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Ministry of Education of Ontario - |
Information for parents, educators, students and coaches on concussion prevention, identification and management. Memorandum to provide direction to school boards on the development and implementation of their concussion policy. |
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Ophea - |
Toolkit developed to help schools and classrooms recognize Rowan’s Law Day and encourage students to speak up about concussions. |
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Ophea - |
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Parachute Canada - |
Concussion guide for teachers. |
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Parachute Canada - |
Informative and fun half-day neuroscience presentation for students in grades 4 to 6. Students learn about parts of the brain and about protecting their brain and spinal cord. This program is coordinated through the University of Ottawa. |
Road and Cycling Safety
| Ontario Road Safety | Learning tools and teaching aids organized by grade level and topic. For K-12. |
| Ottawa Safety Council |
The Ottawa Safety Council is a not-for-profit organization offering many road safety programs and services in Ottawa, including walking and cycling safety education for children and youth. Information on Car & Booster Seat Safety |
| Province of Ontario - Bicycle safety |
Learn how to keep yourself safe while cycling. |
Sun Safety
| Canadian Cancer Society | Register for the SunSense program to access free tools and resources to help create a sun safe environment that protects children from harmful Ultra Violet Radiation (UVR). |
| Canadian Dermatology Association | Free printable resources are available, including posters, tip sheets, bookmarks and activity sheets. |
| Government of Canada | The Sun safety basics website provides information on how to protect against UV rays all year round. Resources include: sun safety tips for parents, sunscreen information, a video, posters, infographics, first aid advice and more. |
Water Safety
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Factsheets available in nine languages: |
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| Life Saving Society | Swim to Survive – Training program for students in grade 3. |
Prevalent Medical Conditions (Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Diabetes and Epilepsy)
Review the Ministry of Education’s Policy/Program Memorandum 161 on supporting children and students with prevalent medical conditions in schools.
Anaphylaxis and Food Allergies
Allergy Aware |
Free online anaphylaxis courses and resources for schools (posters, plans, etc.), including:
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EpiPen® |
Provides video gallery to learn about severe allergy triggers and how to use EpiPen®. |
Food Allergy Canada |
Free online anaphylaxis training courses for educators and resources for schools (posters, tip sheets, plans, etc.), including:
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MedicAlert - No Child Without Program |
Program provides free MedicAlert ID and service plan to eligible children between the ages of 4 and 14. |
Neffy® |
Information, instructions, and an instructional video on the nasal spray used to treat severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. |
Sabrina's LawOntario Ministry of Education |
Information on law that ensures all school boards have policies or procedures in place to address anaphylaxis in schools, which includes providing instruction to staff and guidance on the administration of medication. |
Asthma
Asthma Canada |
Asthma Management in Schools – Best Practices
Children’s Asthma Action Plan |
Canadian Lung Association |
Information and resources on asthma, including a pediatric asthma action plan (1-12 years). |
CHEO |
Resources to help understand, cope with and/or support someone with asthma, including: Book recommendations that educators may use in class. |
Ontario Ministry of Education
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Information on law that ensures all school boards have policies or procedures in place to support children and students with asthma. |
OPHEA |
E-Learning module on implementing Ryan’s Law and PPM 161: Ensuring Asthma Friendly Schools 2023/24. This e-Learning module is designed to support school staff in understanding and applying Ryan’s Law in their school to support the safety and well-being of students with asthma. |
Diabetes
Ottawa Public Health |
Information on type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and diabetes services in Ottawa. |
Canadian Paediatric SocietyDiabetes at School |
Resources for families, schools and caregivers to help school-aged children with type 1 diabetes, including:
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CHEO |
Resources to help better understand, cope with and/or support someone with diabetes. |
Ontario Ministry of Education |
Policies and procedures that support children and students with diabetes. |
Ontario Ministry of Health |
The Ministry of Health provides a variety of services and resources to help individuals manage diabetes. |
Epilepsy
Canadian Epilepsy Alliance (CEA) |
Information on epilepsy including:
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Caring for Kids |
Information on:
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CHEO |
A variety of resources to help better understand, cope with and/or support someone with epilepsy. |
Epilepsy Ottawa |
Services to support parents and educators integrate children with epilepsy into their classrooms and school, including:
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Epilepsy Ontario |
With funding from the Ministry of Education, Epilepsy Ontario has developed a training tool for teachers to assist them in supporting students with epilepsy in the classroom. The tool is divided into 3 15-minute modules:
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Ontario Ministry of Education |
Policies and procedures that support children and students with epilepsy. |
SickKids – Epilepsy at School |
Resource material for parents/guardians, including:
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24-Hour Movement Guidelines |
The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines provide clear direction for what a healthy 24 hours looks like with regards to participating in physical activity, sedentary time and sleep. The 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years (0-4) and the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth (5-17) are key resources for screen time recommendations. |
Canadian Centre for Child Protection |
Provides information about potential risks when children are online and strategies to keep them safe. |
Digital culture and child and youth well-being: Position statement by the Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health |
This statement highlights growing evidence that today's digital culture, including smartphones, social media, and algorithm-driven platforms, may affect the health and well-being of children and youth. While digital technologies offer important benefits, they also pose emerging risks. Includes best practices for educators. |
Media Smarts |
Includes lessons, resources, tip sheets, PD and classroom tutorials on online safety. Includes sexting. For grades 4-8. |
Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA) |
Free online internet safety resources to help educate children about how to stay safe when online. Includes a video and discussion guide for children in grades 4-8. |
Ottawa Police Service |
Tips for safe internet use. Includes tips on online interactions and online bullying. |
YouthNet – Digital Wellness Workshop |
We live so much of our lives online and on our devices, so let’s explore our relationship with technology and how it impacts our mental health (for better and for worse!). You’ll also walk away from this workshop with some helpful tips, self-care tools and resources to find balance in our digital world. Intended Audience: Youth ages 13-20. |
Substance Use Health, Addictions, and Related Behaviours
Drugs(for parents)(Ottawa Public Health) |
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Alcohol(for parents)(Ottawa Public Health) |
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Tobacco, vaping and hookah(for parents)(Ottawa Public Health) |
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Stop Overdose Ottawa(for parents)(Ottawa Public Health) |
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Mental Health, Addictions and Substance Use Health Prevention Toolkit(Ottawa Public Health) |
Resource toolkit for schools. |
Nicotine Pouches - Factsheet(Ottawa Public Health) |
Nicotine pouches are smokeless, spit-free products that deliver nicotine and are sometimes used as an alternative to smoking or vaping. While often marketed as “tobacco-free,” they can still cause oral health issues. This factsheet explains what’s approved in Canada, outlines potential harms, and offers practical guidance to support informed harm-reduction conversations. |
Overdose Prevention and Response E-training(Ottawa Public Health) |
Free, bilingual, 20-minute course accessible through StopOverdoseOttawa.ca (and through Olearn). The course covers information on:
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People-First Language: Substance Use Disorder and Stigma Fact Sheet(Ottawa Public Health) |
Using person-first language to talk about substance use ensures the person is seen as a person first, not as a specific health condition or behaviour. |
Vaping: What's Really in That Cloud - Factsheet(Ottawa Public Health) |
This quick-reference factsheet provides key information about vaping, including health risks, signs of vaping, and strategies to support informed decision-making. It’s designed to promote awareness and encourage conversations about vaping with youth. |
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction |
Information and publications to address issues related to substance use and addiction that affect the health and safety of Canadians. |
Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) |
Information on programs & services, mental illness & addiction Interactive results of population survey of Ontario students in grades 7-12. Serves to identify epidemiological trends in student drug use, mental health, physical health, gambling, bullying and other risk behaviors, as well as identifying risk and protective factors. |
Health Canada |
Resources to educate Canadians, about legal and illegal drugs, cannabis and alcohol. How and where to get help and the effects of stigma. Consider the Consequences (for students grades 7-12): This online self-led module from Health Canada aims to provide youth aged 13-18 with information about vaping to help them make informed decisions about their health. It also helps and supports educators in engaging with youth on the issue. This module includes activities, videos and informative content that covers multiple topics related to vaping, including the risks and harms of youth vaping, the effects of nicotine and cannabis use during adolescence, legislation and regulations in Canada, the cost of vaping, and tips to deal with peer pressure. |
Media Smarts |
Lesson plans, tip sheets and other resources on various topics in the media (such as alcohol and tobacco). |
Ophea |
Information and resources developed to provide educators with capacity building tools to help youth develop the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions to support their health and well-being. For grades 1-12 |
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit |
Lesson plan, resources, infographics, videos, quit plan, information and tools to support tobacco and vaping prevention. |
STOMP(Students Together Moving to Prevent Tobacco Use) |
Resources to support students and schools in their efforts to reduce nicotine and commercial tobacco use. |
The Lung Health Foundation |
QUASH: Designed with the help of passionate youth and experts, QUASH is the Lung Health Foundation’s smoking and vaping cessation program for youth aged 14-30 offered at no cost. QUASH has an evidence-based mobile quit app and a comprehensive facilitator training and resource-rich website.
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University of Victoria – Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research |
Tools to encourage students to both express and think crucially about their current drug- and gambling related beliefs, attitudes and behaviours. For grades 4-12. |
Ottawa Public Health |
This bilingual resource provides a quick overview of common signs that may indicate a student is experiencing vision difficulties, along with information to help staff guide families toward appropriate eye care services. Vision problems can significantly affect learning, behaviour, and classroom participation. |
Ottawa Public Health |
An overview for parents and caregivers of the importance of children’s vision health, highlighting Ontario’s eye exams offered at no cost for ages 0–19 and available supports for families needing help with prescription eyewear.
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