Moving Forward with SettlementNovember 24, 2009

Darlyn Mentor, Director Settlement/IGA

CIC and Settlement Sector - Partners in Change and Innovation

• Accomplishments• Partnering• Updates

Expansion of Programming under COIA

STEP 1: A strategic plan

STEP 2: Recognition of the real cost of doing business- Increased salaries and benefits- Enhancements to SPO sites- Capital cost purchases- Increased # of computer labs,

upgraded computers and software packages

- Increased promotion and outreach

Expansion of Programming under COIA

STEP 3: Existing Programming Expansion

• JSW• Newcomer Information Centres• Settlement Workers in Schools• LINC• Orientation materials

Expansion of Programming under COIA

STEP 4: New Programming

• Library Settlement Partnerships,• Youth-centered programming,• Professional Development conferences for IEPs,• Higher level language training, LT in the workplace,• Occupation-specific language training,• BTW,• Local Immigration Partnerships.

The Way Forward - Implementation of upcoming changes

We are working to ensure stakeholders fully understand the proposed changes and the plans for implementation

Implementation of Upcoming Changes -Continued

Clear goals are set to ensure a positive experience forall stakeholders

Successful implementation depends on understandingthe benefits of the changes to the program model

Open Dialogue at each step along the way

Implementation of Upcoming Changes -Continued

CIC will work to ensure comfort levels are attained around knowledge of new developments

Establish a culture of innovation with continuous learning and growth as key components

All partners confident to “own the change”

And again maintain an open dialogue!

A Balanced Approach to new programming

CIC will continue to use a Call for Proposal process for its programming

Not every organization should work on everything

Organizations should use the modernized approach to improve and expand on their specialty

A balanced approach to settlement service delivery

Official Languages Opportunities and Challenges

• Address or redress the decline in Francophone community numbers: the percentage of Francophones who speak mainly French at home continues to decline: from 58.9% in 1996 to 56.5% in 2001.

• Much progress but still more to do.

Upcoming programming

Official Languages Opportunities and Challenges - Continued

• Public awareness level of the benefits of Francophone immigration

• Working with organizational capacity within the Francophone sector

• Dedication to program development within constructs of the Official Languages Policy

Coordinated Language Assessment and Referral System

• The COIA Strategic Plan calls for a coordinated language assessment, referral, and training system in Ontario.

• A Coordinated Language Assessment and Referral System Advisory Committee has been convened to provide advice to CIC and MCI on the overview, protocols and standards for the coordinated language assessment system.

Coordinated Language Assessment and Referral System - Continued

• Coordinated assessment for federal and provincial programs.

• Consistency: Newcomers across Ontario will be assessed in the same way using common tools and practices.

• It will assist newcomers in navigating their settlement pathway by helping learners identify needs with appropriate referral to address those needs..

• Better promotion and outreach: Increased knowledge of training programs both provincial and federal

• Newcomers, employers, and the community have Increased understanding of language skill levels

Coordinated Language Assessment and Referral System (CLARS)

• All elements and features of CLARS to be developed by spring 2010.

• Consultation process developed and applied over next 6 + months

• Piloting approach developed and soft launch in spring

• Full roll out in January, 2011

Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP)

• The Client Support Services Program (CSS) for Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) provides ongoing case management support to improve GARs access to community services, and to engage community agencies in providing support to GARs

• Changes to income support effective January 1, 2010 will bring RAP Income Support more in line with Ontario Works as per resettlement policy.

• Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has partnered with Colleges Ontario to develop and pilot Occupation-Specific Language Training (OSLT) in community colleges.

• OSLT courses are now offered in Business, Construction, Health Sciences, Human Services, Motive Power and Technology.

• Between September 2009 – April 2010, 13 colleges across Ontario will be delivering over 42 OSLT classes; four of the programs are delivered in French.

Programming Developments - Occupation Specific Language Training - OSLT

Programming Developments - Employment Related ServicesEmployment workshops (JSW)• New Curriculum is complete and incorporates

recommendations made in JSW program review which was conducted in 2006

• Key highlights of new curriculumo expanded needs assessment, o modules A. career planning (i.e skills inventory, gap analysis,

personal branding, action plan development), B. Job search (focus on tools and strategies like resumes, interviews and networking)

o Referral and Follow-Up (Mandatory Step) - referral out to employment services, language training and accreditation

Welcoming Communities

• The Host program in Ontario has expanded to now include 51 providers, with 40 providers offering youth programming.

• The Host Coordinator role continues to be comprised of a partnership between Catholic Immigration Centre in Ottawa, SISO in Hamilton and Axiom Consultants.

• New WCI Initiatives underway

Community Connections Continued

• Ontario Region is funding several new projects under the Welcoming Communities Initiative: CIC’s Contribution to Canada’s Action Plan Against Racism.

• These WCI projects will promote integration as a two-way street, involving mutual obligations for both new immigrants and Canadian society.

• Communities across the province will be exposed to projects that encourage Canadians to foster more inclusive and welcoming communities for new immigrants; and that promote the strengthened participation of newcomers in civil society.

Capacity-building

• A strategy is being developed for organizational capacity-building

• As a first step: governance training and needs assessment.

Orientation to Ontario Course

To improve the settlement and integration outcomes for newcomers to Ontario by helping newcomers settle and participate fully in their new communities as quickly and easily as possible by:

• Improving access to standardized information and resources about living and settling in Ontario

• Improving knowledge of and access to services and programs designed to help newcomers adjust, settle and find employment

• Enhancing pre-arrival services for newcomers before they arrive