Advocacy Campaign

Aligning with our mission statement of:
“To be a voice for change in policies, procedures, safety measures, and budgeting throughout Bluewater District School Board, the Province of Ontario, and the Country of Canada.”

And aligning with our goal of:
“We will advocate for change in Bluewater District School Board’s and Bruce-Grey Catholic School Board’s policies and procedures outlining Mental Health, Tragedy and Crisis, transportation for sports teams, funding, and communication. We will also reach out to Provincial and Federal Government to ask them to look over their educational funding and demand them to explain why our rural schools cannot afford buses for sports teams and materials for trades classes…”

Why:
We have created the Student Grief and Traumatic Loss Reform Proposal and continue to create more documents supporting our Advocacy Campaign aligning with Our Focus – Mission Statements and Goals. We share our Advocacy Campaign here, publicly, as a transparency and documentation tool.
Because we can’t change what happened, but we can change what happens next.

Uses:
Community members, leaders, politicians, educators, students, businesses, media, etc. are welcome to view these documents in full below, as well as download them for the purpose of viewing, discussing, sourcing, or sharing amongst one another. These documents must not be downloaded or shared for any purpose pertaining to editing, changes to the documents, illegally copywriting, fraudulent purposes, plagiarism, etc. Any person caught in doing so will face legal consequences.

Documents

Student Grief & Traumatic Loss Reform Proposal: Executive Summary Download

Student Grief and Traumatic Loss Reform Proposal Download

Interviews, Meetings, etc.

May 22, 2026 – Interview with Scott Miller, CTV News London
Walkerton crash: Family unveils Kaydance Ford Athletic and Trades Foundation
October 9, 2026 – Interview with Scott Miller, CTV News London https://www.ctvnews.ca/london/article/family-of-walkerton-crash-victim-pushing-for-school-transportation-and-grief-counselling-reform/

Timeline – Documentation

*This timeline is being added to over time. Please check back often to see any additions.

May 23, 2025: Kaydance passed away in a motor vehicle accident while coming home from a school-sanctioned sports trip. Her softball team was not given a bus for this two-day, overnight trip that was over two hours away from their home school. Instead, team coaches and parents were made responsible to drive all athletes – coaches (ie. school staff) being made responsible for the transportation of athletes who’s parents could not attend.
OPP Sergent Ed Sanchuck released a live video to social media about the accident before Kaydance’s family arrived in Dorchester. At the time of the video release, Kaydance’s family did not know that Kaydance was gone.
WDCS Admin sent out an email to all staff about the accident.
The accident began going around social media and news outlets long before the family were given the official news.
May 24, 2025: Kaydance’s mother, Jessica Ford, and her father, Casey Woods, began asking questions. The Middlesex Police, Walkerton District Community School Admin, and Bluewater District School Board would not answer any questions.
OPP Sergent Ed Sanchuck released another live video on social media, reporting that all in the accident has been pronounced deceased. Kaydance’s parents had barely began telling friends and family at the time of this video release.
Photos began circling social media and news outlets. Kaydance’s family had not given permission for these photos to be used yet – they were photos from Jessica’s personal and private Facebook account as well as photos from WDCS.
Reporters and journalists attended WDCS school – on school property. “They were everywhere, at the front doors, along the sidewalk right in front of the school, we couldn’t get inside the school without being on camera.” – WDCS Staff Member
“A School Board Trustee told us to just look down, they wouldn’t take pictures of us. But then that night there were pictures of some of us on the news, looking down as we left the school.” – WDCS Staff Member
May 25, 2025: Candle light Vigil held at WDCS, reporters in attendance and on school property.
May 26, 2025: Our family didn’t know it yet, but we began advocating for change in policies, procedures, safety measures, communication, and budgeting. We also began advocating for change in response to tragedy and crisis within a school and how a tragedy is handled in a mental health lead.
Students returned to school. BWDSB Mental Health Team and Trauma Response Team deployed (but left after the first week).
News reporters and journalists attended WDCS again.
“At one point, they were even inside the school. You couldn’t even walk down a hallway without a camera in your face.” – WDCS Student
“They were hiding in bushes, waiting for students to get close enough. Then they would follow students with their cameras trying to get a comment. Admin did nothing to stop it.” – WDCS Staff Member
May & June 2025: Middlesex OPP requested a DNA sample stating “the girls cannot be identified based on ID alone. All biological parents need to give a DNA sample.”
Kaydance’s funeral was planned and held at Chesley Ball Diamond.
Kaydance’s family found out about memorial tables being set up – communication about this came through other families, not the school. They sent a few personal items in with another family so that Kaydance’s table wouldn’t be the only one without personal items. Kaydance’s family were invited to attend the school to view the tables, but were told they could not come until 5pm. When they arrived to view the tables, news camera and reporter were there setting up a camera at the front of the school in the parking lot. When they tried to leave the school, the camera was right in front of the front doors, pointing inside the school. School Admin were asked to get rid of the camera but instead, School Admin went out and told the reporter he could move down to the other school doors.
“She did us good. We can still see from here.” – News reporter after moving to gym entrance doors of WDCS.
Memorial Assembly happened. Full school (JK – grade 12) was invited and busses were provided for transportation to the Walkerton Arena “so the whole school could attend for a surprise guest” – School Admin.
July 2025: Kaydance Ford Athletic & Trades Foundation became official and public. Mission Statements and Goals were created within Our Focus, programs we support were chosen under Kaydance’s passions, Foundation Programs began being planned, social media platforms were slowly created and chosen for their specific audience and reach, website began being created.
Kaydance turned 17, we hosted a large Hawaiian Luau themed birthday party/celebration of life for her.
August 2025: Founder Jessica Ford sent a 10-page letter to 5-6 departments of Bluewater District School Board, outlining the lack of communication, how poorly the tragedy and loss had been handled, asking why a bus was not supported as transportation for the trip that took Kaydance’s life, etc.
Only the Mental Health Department responded. They took ownership of most of the things that happened and how the tragedy and loss were handled, they offered a meeting with Jessica, Jessica met with them twice.
“We really didn’t know how to respond to the tragedy because we have never dealt with anything like this before.” – BWDSB Mental Health Team Lead
The second meeting with the Mental Health Team was held at the Board Office in Chesley, and the purpose was to have Jessica give input on a new guide for responding to tragedy, loss, and crisis within the school and school board setting.
Jessica was never given the opportunity to view this new guide or have her name attached to it in any way, even though she is part of building it and is allegedly quoted in it.
Toronto Blue Jays invited Kaydance’s family (among others) to attend a ball game. WDCS School Admin invited themselves on the trip, told Toronto Blue Jays that they were the preferred method of contact for all families, had all tickets on their phone, and attempted to have the group put on the jumbotron during the game.
September 2025: Founder Jessica is invited to attend WDCS in hopes of creating a permanent mental health support group based on offering staff and students connection with someone who fully understands what they are going through during grief, and they can relate to due to current loss, tragedy, and crisis.
Bluewater District School Board Mental Health Team and Superintendent begin bullying and harassing Jessica to the point that by the end of October, Jessica complies with bans of attending any school unless delivering donations from Kaydance Ford Athletic & Trades Foundation.
Meeting between Jessica and Director of Education for BWDSB.
October 2025: Founder Jessica begins speaking out publicly, advocating for change in how to respond to a school-based tragedy/crisis/loss.
Meeting between Jessica and Director of Education for BWDSB.
Jessica enrolls in a Greif Coach Certification course.
Student Shed Program begins – Student Shed is purchased and built by Kaydance’s friends and family.
Kaydance’s family meet with Middlesex OPP, police refuse to answer any of family’s questions.
November 2025: Focus is on Foundation’s first fundraiser
December 2025: Kaydance’s family apply to Freedom of Information to access police reports, photos, dash cam footage, investigation reports, etc.
Also apply to Coroner’s Office for access to photos and autopsy report.
OPP Sergent Ed Sanchuk released a live video on social media stating that the investigation has been concluded – Kaydance’s family were not contacted beforehand. Instead, they began getting the video sent to them by the masses.
January 2026: WDCS is given a new permanent principal. Founders Jessica and Casey meet with him.
Jessica is invited a few times to help guide a few things pertaining to grief and loss within the school.
Bullying and harassment from BWDSB Mental Health Team starts again.
Student Shed begins accepting donations of athletic and trades items.
February 2026: Jessica complies with yet another ban from attending any schools unless the visit has to do with the Foundation.
School Wishlist Program officially begins and goes public.
March 2026: Founder Jessica completes Greif Coach Certification Course.
The Foundation is officially legally Incorporated under offering mental health support for grief and support to school-based athletic and trades programming.
Rocky Connections – mental health extension of the Foundation – begins to be planned.
April 2026: Kaydance’s family meet with representative from London Coroner’s Office to view postmortem (pre-examination) photos and finally have the opportunity for a last goodbye. This was the only opportunity we had for a last goodbye with our daughter due to lack of and mis-communication from Middlesex OPP.
Founder Jessica enrolls in a Teen Life Coach Certification Course to compliment the ideas for Rocky Connections Grief Coaching.
Founders continue to speak out publicly, asking for change to policies, procedures, transportation, safety measures, communication, funding, etc.
May 2026: One year anniversary of losing Kaydance. Family steps back while they cope and grieve.
Kaydance’s family agree to interview with CTV News London Reporter, speaking about Kaydance Ford Athletic & Trades Foundation.
June 2026: Kaydance’s family receive access to records, reports, dashcam footage, photos, etc. through FOI (Freedom of Information).
WDCS Prom – Kaydance’s family are not included in any way. Kaydance’s friends and their families visit Kaydance’s family on Prom day for photos before heading to Prom so they can feel close to Kaydance and help her family cope through yet another hard day.
Jessica begins advocating for change harder.
Commencement invitations have been sent out, Kaydance’s family did not receive one.
July 2026: Kaydance turns 18. Her family hosts an 18th Birthday celebration. Kaydance’s friends, their families, some teachers, and friends of Kaydance’s family are in attendance.
Kaydance’s family takes a small step back from the Foundation while dealing with some family emergencies.
August 2026: Foundation begins to ramp up again slowly – still dealing with family emergencies.
Founder Jessica completes Teen Life Coaching Certification Course, enrolled in Sylvotherapy Certification Course to compliment planned services through Rocky Connections Greif Coaching.
September 2026: Student Shed Program officially opens and goes public.
Founder Jessica begins to create Student Greif & Traumatic Loss Reform Proposal and begins sharing the full story of the loss of Kaydance, how it was handled by Middlesex Police and BWDSB, how her family was treated, and how she was treated. This story was shared in 30+ parts via Foundation TikTok.
Founder Jessica begins to review FOI records – finds that OPP report states that “Next of Kin was contacted” on the night of the accident, this statement includes Jessica’s personal email address and disconnected landline phone number. Going through past emails from around the date of May 23, 2025, there are no emails from any police officers. Landline phone number was disconnected at minimum three years before the accident (schools with Jessica and Casey’s children attending were told to remove the phone number from any of their children’s records.) Next of Kin was NOT contacted even though the report states so. Further, most of the police report has been redacted even though it seems that the files Jessica has received are only about Kaydance – not any of the other victims.
Kaydance’s family finally receives an official invitation to WDCS Commencement.
October 2, 2026: Founder Jessica attended a meeting in Toronto and shared the Student Greif & Traumatic Loss Reform Proposal, based on changes needed to funding for rural schools due to the extra transportation needs and needed support in making other needed changes in response to tragedy, loss, and crisis within schools.
October 5, 2026: Founder Jessica attended a meeting with BWDSB Director of Education (CEO) and WDCS Principal to discuss Commencement Plans and the Student Greif & Traumatic Loss Reform Proposal. Director of Education states that Jessica’s requests for Commencement are “too triggering for the audience and this event needs to be about celebrating the grads.”
Also, when Jessica states that media were invited to the school by WDCS School Admin, Director of Education states “that wouldn’t have happened. I can’t see a principal of any school inviting media when that is against board policy.” Jessica states, “I know that they were invited because a reporter who was there told me themselves that they were invited by school Admin. Also, a staff member of WDCS emailed all media telling them to leave the school staff and students alone, that staff member (who is still a current employee) was reprimanded by WDCS Admin and made to apologize.”
Founder Jessica agreed to an interview with CTV News London Reporter for Friday morning, to briefly discuss the Student Grief & Traumatic Loss Reform Proposal and the personal experience leading to it’s creation.
A second proposal is in planning to speak to needed changes and understanding for Police responding to traumatic loss, crisis, and communicating with families during their time of trauma, crisis, and grief.
October 9, 2026: Founder Jessica attended an interview with Scott Miller, journalist for CTV News London. Interview aired on CTV News London at 6pm, with School Board response included. The written interview as well as video interview have since been uploaded to CTV News website.
Founders Jessica & Casey attended WDCS Commencement 2026 with two close friends as guests for support (Kaydance’s brothers refused to attend, stating they have been to enough triggering events). They arrived at WDCS at approximately 7:50pm because they were not told what time to arrive for, only that the event started at 8pm – this meant that they missed the graduation slideshow that was being played and included photos of Kaydance. All four were incredibly triggered by how WDCS Commencement Committee and BWDSB decided how to do the event. Kaydance was only included in a memorialized portion at the very beginning. She did not have a chair with cap and gown, her name was not called during the grad lineup, her parents did not receive the opportunity to accept a diploma or certificate recognizing her achievements. These requests were labelled as “too triggering for the audience” even though this is exactly what Kaydance would have wanted and this is exactly how other schools (within and outside of BWDSB) have done commencement with students who have passed away [as recent as June 2026]. Jessica and Casey had commented on wanting to give out a separate award from KFATF but no one communicated with them about it. However, the other families involved were communicated with ahead of time and were able to give out separate awards; therefore, Casey and Jessica only presented the GoFundMe Scholarship Award that their family had nothing to do with. After the memorial speech, moment of silence, and presenting scholarship awards, Jessica & Casey along with their two guests left commencement – after it was made very clear that they were free to leave after this memorialized portion because Kaydance would not be included in any other part of commencement.
October 10, 2026: Founders Jessica and Casey begin to wonder if the Foundation may need to be reorganized – perhaps cutting schools out of the equation and instead, directly supporting local students and youth might be best.
Founder Jessica continues to publicly advocate for needed changes.
October 14, 2026: Interview with Scott Miller, CTV News London, screenshot has been shared on Facebook by Scott Miller. Founder Jessica has already shared a screenshot of it – a link to the news story cannot be shared on social media due to “news cannot be shared on social media in Canada”.
October 20, 2026: Founder Jessica sat with Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody for a meeting. Mayor Chris Peabody is interested in helping Jessica push for change at the local level and the provincial level. A motion will be prepared and a request to meet with the Minister of Education will be sent.

Our Promise of Transparency:
Information pertaining to this KFATF Advocacy Campaign will continue to be shared publicly and transparently through this website page and possibly social media, via new documents uploaded above, new entries to the timeline above, and new social media posts.
Because we can’t change what happened, we can’t bring Kaydance back. But we can change what happens next, we can protect another family from added grief, trauma, and stress.