The Hearts and Minds Program has been working in the Foothills and Christ the Redeemer School Divisions to promote mental wellness and aid in flood recovery.

The program's flood recovery funding will end this June, and Program Coordinator Fawna Bews says schools, parents, and those in the community have asked them to continue their work with mental health.

She says addressing issues of well-being is becoming an expectation in schools.

"More and more they're showing that meeting the academic needs of children is incredibly important, but meeting the social and emotional needs of children is equally as important. That schools are being expected to address all of those issues."

Following Monday's meeting, Hearts and Minds will receive a letter of support from High River Town Council as they ask the provincial government to fund the continuation of their program. Bews says the program's wellness coaches have training that can be a great asset in the school system.

"Teachers are doing the very best that they can. But there are issues that are just a certain percentage that require that extra training that extra training, that extra social and emotional lend and skills."

Bews says they hope to receive sustainable funding to continue their work.

"Where our money has been channeled through, there is a part of Alberta Health and Alberta Education that collaborates already and it's called Mental Health Capacity Building in Schools. They have programs running all over the province already. We would ask to be added on to one of their continuing programs."

Bews says they are currently a part of Mental Health Capacity Building in Schools as just a temporary flood-based program.  The Hearts and Minds Program works to connect people with the right people and services to get help. They have written letters to the province's Health Minister, Education Minister, MLA Wayne Anderson, and MP John Barlow. She says town council's support is important to show that the community agrees with continuing their program. The program began in January 2014 as a way to promote wellness to those in High River schools following the 2013 flood.