School can be tough for any student, and it can be more so if a student is dealing with challenging behaviours.

Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) is a model of care Dr. Ross Greene created, and explained in his various books, including The Explosive Child, Lost at School, Lost & Found, and Raising Human Beings.

Barette Plett is the school counsellor with Carman Elementary School, and is currently completing CPS Provider Certification with Dr. Ross Greene. Plett says the model which focuses on non-punitive, non-adversarial, and trauma-informed care has been successful when working with students.

"The magic words in the model are we say to the child, we've noticed you've been having difficulties doing this, what's up? That's the magic phrase and the kids talk. That's what's amazing, because they're not feeling defensive. We're not challenging them on behaviour, we're just saying we notice you're having difficulty doing this. The kids tell us all the reasons, what's going on, they tell us what their perspective is."

Barette Plett.

Plett says they begin by figuring out what the unsolved problems the child has, then sit with the child and the teacher to work together to understand the problem and find solutions.

The teachers who have embraced the program are excited about its potential, and the progress they make with the kids says Plett.

Looking forward, he envisions a higher capacity for this program within schools.


"They're called Plan B conversations with the child where we proactively talk about the difficulties. The goal is for more teachers in the school and the division to become more comfortable doing those Plan B conversations independently, so we can work with more children this way."

For teachers or parents looking at this model of care from the outside, Plett says if a child is having challenging behaviour, it's because they are missing a skill or perspective, and this method can give them the chance to succeed.