FORTIFYING FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES October 2011

ROLE OF SWIS IN SCHOOLS  School based settlement services  Partnership between Ministry of Jobs, Tourism & Innovation & Ministry of Education  Province wide since 2007  Provide a bridge between home & school as well as cultures Ministry Objectives:  Help children adjust to school culture & focus on learning  Provide parents with information & resources  Increase parents;  Understanding of Canadian culture & schools  Involvement in school & community  Assess needs & barriers to successful integration  Increase access to programs & services

BASIC SWIS SERVICES  Connect with new immigrant families  Provide Needs Assessment:  Physical  Social  Emotional  Spiritual  Develop a Plan for each member of family

FAMILIES EXPERIENCE SETTLEMENT ISSUES  Culture Shock  Loss of Status  job, identity, property, self- esteem  Loss of Cultural Values & Ethnic Heritage  Loss of Language Proficiency  Absence of Extended Family  Fragmentation from Family  Isolation  Dependency  Inter-generational Stress

SUPPORTING FAMILIES Provide Accurate & Timely Information  Schools, culture, laws, rules, rights, resources, health care, housing, shopping, cooking, legal aid, life skills, ELSA, daycare, employment services, referrals to agencies and immigration services……. Individualized Services  Consider culture, stage of adaptation, family circumstances, personal and family strengths - service individual needs of each family member….. Group & Community Services  Culture specific workshops, group coaching, social celebrations…..

KEY TO SUCCESS: Emotional Connections/Attachments Based on:  Unconditional acceptance  Mutual respect/trust  Positive regard  Genuine care  Support each individual and family unit with empathy and dignity

SERVICES PROVIDED 2010/2011

A DAY WITH A SWIS WORKER MOVING FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE TO SUPPORT FAMILIES

A DAY WITH SWIS… Roya’s Journey  Becoming a SWIS worker Common Barriers Language  Prevents families from accessing basic needs, resources Housing  Limited income  Too few affordable units  Existing units present social problems for newcomers Health Care  Access to physicians in clients’ language very limited Food  Limited finances contributes to poor diet Mental Health  Increasing numbers of clients requiring Mental Health services  Very limited counselling services Success Stories

A DAY WITH SWIS… Lecia’s Journey  Becoming a SWIS worker “Jose’s” Story  Family background  Searching for Support  Trauma Counselling required  Language, Cost, Distance Barriers  Age Appropriate  Frequency of Service  Working with whole family  Results

A DAY WITH SWIS… Soheila’s Journey  Becoming a SWIS worker “Rihana’s” Story  Family Background  Rihana’s challenges  Searching for Support – Plan of Action  Coordinating Services  Family Education  Celebrating Success  Moving forward  Learning to cope with new challenges  Towards independence  Services adapt to changing needs

QUESTIONS…