If your independent school is in legal trouble of any kind, or in need of legal advice, Caravel Law will help you at a discounted price. In order for your independent school to reach a level of
excellence, its operations must be trustworthy in the areas of governance, employment, contracts, compliance with Ministry regulations, and, of course, student needs. With the understanding they have of the diverse characteristics of each OFIS member school, Caravel can support your goals and protect your interests. A special rate can be tailor-made for your independent school’s unique requirements through our partnership with this special firm.

Acera Insurance’s MySchool program offers OFIS members a customized insurance solution, exceptional advice, excellent customer service and claims support for a diverse range of independent schools in Ontario. Acera Insurance has over 25 years of experience in serving the education sector, which makes them a perfect partner for OFIS in terms of what they can offer our members. With their knowledge of the unique risks and challenges faced by independent schools, Acera Insurance brings a carefully designed insurance program to safeguard your school and allow you to focus on educating and caring for your students.

Why is a customizable insurance solution important to my independent school?

Your independent school is diverse and unique in its needs. Tailor-made insurance solutions are important to your coverage for accident, fire and other unforeseen property damage, the health of staff and students, the safety of staff and students, and all your insurance needs.

Learn more about the Acera MySchool Program benefits for OFIS members.

OFIS has partnered with the Community Services BenefitsTrust (CSBT) to provide an improved benefits plan offering to OFIS members. Having the ability to choose what you need for your very specific HR requirements, allows you to offer your staff competitive benefits, but at a rate that makes sense for your independent school. OFIS members can rely on an enhanced client experience including:

Better Coverage
An industry-leading Employee Assistance Program, Second Opinion Medical Services, Critical Disease coverage, Serious Illness coverage, Disability Management services, improved travel coverage, Virtual Health Care

Program Flexibility
The CSBT can offer many different coverage options for agencies to choose from. (You are not limited to a few specific sets of coverage options)

Premium Savings
Premiums can often be reduced through our partnership program.

Great Service
Quicker resolution of issues and ability to reach OFIS members regardless of location.

Rate Stability
The CSBT plan pools the participating organizations; claims are spread amongst the program’s members resulting in greater cost stability.

Better Online Resources
Whether it be the industry-leading WEBS™ Online Administration or the smart phone apps for your staff, the CSBT plan provides you with several online enhancements.

HR policies are critical to establishing and maintaining an independent school. HR policies can be some of the most complex policies to navigate, and they change regularly. In order to stay on top of these changes, a partnership with HR Covered gives you the reassurance you need that
you’re meeting regulation requirements without stressful administrative burdens for your staff.

As the world faces a global mental health crisis, children are the most vulnerable in its wake. This directly impacts life at home, as well as in daily activities at schools. Attuned Families offers extensive, tailor-made support to OFIS schools, with workshops, staff-training in mental health for your student body and community. With evidence-based support in a professional environment, children are likely to feel safer, and are able to access resources that they might previously have felt beyond their reach. Within this environment provided by Attuned Families, children learn improved communication and trust, thereby improving their ability to
thrive at school, and thus making home life happier.

After many years working with children in various settings, Barbara R. Anderson, R.N., B.A., and Susan D’Souza, M.A., Dip.C.S., felt that there was a need to provide better services to individuals with learning challenges. They brought together a team of professionals that felt the same way, and in 1995 NEAC was founded.

At NEAC they believe everyone should have an opportunity to discover and access the tools and resources best suited for their learning and development. Assessments aim to provide context around an individual’s abilities, strengths, and struggles in order to develop appropriate strategies that will aid their academic pursuits.

Why is NEAC and the services they provide important to my independent school?

Independent schools often face challenges in knowing where to turn for trusted psychological services. NEAC’s partnership with OFIS offers schools and families access to qualified professionals who deliver individualized care, guiding them through the often-complex assessment process. Additionally, NEAC works with families to maximize insurance claims and provide flexible payment options, making these essential services more accessible. By partnering with NEAC, OFIS member schools can ensure that their students receive the expert care and attention needed to thrive academically and emotionally.

Through our partnership with Our Kids, OFIS member schools can showcase their school to more than 3,000 families daily with a special media network. Our Kids is a trusted Canadian research tool for families exploring optimum learning environments for their children.
Through a collection of websites and resources, Our Kids allows families to compare and evaluate independent schools in order to find the right education platform for their needs.

Highlighting your independent school’s unique characteristics will allow families who are the perfect match for your learning environment to find you quickly and effectively.