An autism advocate has put her name forward to serve as St. Albert Public trustee.
St. Albert resident Kristi Rouse announced she is running for St. Albert Public trustee Sept. 17.
A city resident since 2006, Rouse is a mother of two and a chartered professional accountant who works in real estate. In 2018, she served on a provincial working group that examined seclusion rooms in Alberta schools — the work of which led the province to ban seclusion rooms the following year.
“When my oldest son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in 2015, my experience with public education was changed forever,” Rouse said in a press release.
“I will forever advocate not only for my own children, but for all children and families for a public education that supports the needs of every child.”
Rouse said she had served on many boards, committees, and working groups in the last decade related to supporting children and families, including the Family Supports for Children with Disabilities regional parent advisory committee (as chair), the Autism Society of Edmonton Area, and the St. Albert Family Resource Centre (as a director), and various school councils and fundraising organizations (as a member). In 2015, she co-founded the Rouse Family Fund through the St. Albert Community Foundation to support local charities.
“It is my belief that everyone has a stake in public education, regardless of whether they currently have children or grandchildren in the education system,” she said.
St. Albert Public voters go to the polls Oct. 18. Visit stalbert.ca/cosa/elections-census/election for details.
