1. Improving Settlement Outcomes for Newcomers: Family-Oriented and Individual Settlement Plans ARAISA Conference September 21, 2010 For discussion

2. Session Objectives Highlight how the Modernized Approach to Settlement Programming will impact Needs Assessment and Referral Services (NARS) within the settlement sector. Review the current state of NARS. Present programming options for an enhanced approach to NARS. 2 For discussion

3. Needs Assessment – What is it? Integral part of settlement programming. Includes: –Primary/Global Needs Assessment: general assessment of newcomer needs across a broad spectrum of settlement areas. –Secondary/Program-Specific Needs Assessment: identify a newcomer’s specific needs as they relate to a CIC-supported program (e.g., language training, employment-related training) Assists newcomers in determining their current settlement situation and how to achieve their desired outcomes. Increases client, SPO and CIC knowledge of newcomer needs, referral systems and support services for successful settlement outcomes. Links newcomers both CIC-funded and non CIC-funded settlement services that respond to identified needs (e.g., housing, health services, language assessment and training, employment support, etc.). 3 For discussion

4. CIC’s Modernized Approach Provides opportunity to develop a family or personalized settlement plan approach ongoing throughout the settlement process. Identifies NARS as central to collecting baseline information on newcomer needs that can be used by CIC to track newcomer progress and measure settlement outcomes. Commits CIC to develop new tools that can increase uptake of services and encourage newcomers to be more actively involved in their settlement. 4 For discussion

5. 5 Ultimate Outcomes Settlement Program Logic Model Immediate Outcomes Program Components CIC Strategic Outcome 3 Outputs Intermediate Outcomes Policy Development, Program Design and Management Policy and Program Development Settlement Services Program Implementation and Management Needs Assessment and Referrals Support Services Information & Awareness Services Employment- related Services Initial and on- going needs assessments (including language assessments) Referrals to CIC- funded and community settlement services Enabling services: –Childminding –Transportation assistance –Provisions for disabilities Other support services: –POE reception services –Translation –Interpretation –Settlement/ crisis counselling Information products Orientation sessions Promotion and outreach Labour market bridging Job search skills training Labour market information Workplace orientation 23. Successful integration of newcomers into society and the promotion of Canadian Citizenship 1.Policies and programming align with departmental and government priorities 2.Program models are evidenced-based, informed by stakeholder input and address the barriers & needs of both newcomers and communities 3.Standards, tools, resources and program coordination support the effective delivery of services) 4. Services are efficiently delivered 5. Provision of settlement services across Canada that achieve comparable outcomes 6. Clients, service providers and CIC are aware of newcomer settlement needs 7. Referrals and personalized settlement plans are based on assessed settlement needs 19. Newcomers find employment commensurate with their skills and experience 20. Newcomers enjoy their rights and act on their responsibilities in Canadian society 21. Canadians provide a welcoming community to facilitate the full participation of newcomers into Canadian society 22. Newcomers contribute to the economic, social and cultural development needs of Canada (in PAA) 8. Target population is aware of CIC settlement services 9. Timely, useful and appropriate CIC settlement services are available in the Official Language of choice (in accordance with the Official Languages Act and Policy) 10. Clients obtain the CIC settlement services they need to deal with settlement issues as they emerge Language Learning & Skills Development Language training Other skills/ life-skills training 11. Clients have timely, useful and accurate information needed to make informed settlement decisions 12. Clients understand life in Canada including laws, rights, responsibilities and how to access community resources 13. Clients have the official language skills needed to function in Canadian society 14. Clients have the skills/life-skills needed to function in Canadian society 15. Clients have knowledge of the Canadian work environment and are connected to local labour markets 16. Clients have the skills to find and apply for employment 17. Clients are connected to the broader community and social networks 18. Program participants are aware of newcomers’ needs and contributions and are engaged in newcomer settlement Strategic plans Policy, priorities, standards and outcomes Performance measurement strategy and national reports Horizontal coordination PT consultations Research analysis/ and reports Funding allocation Operational plans Program delivery materials and tools Functional guidance & training Data collection and regional/local/SPO reports Regional, local and SPO coordination Service delivery capacity building Best practices and info sharing Contribution agreements Community Connections Individual and community-level bridging, e.g.: –Host/ mentor matches –Volunteers engaged trained and supported Cultural awareness, anti-racism, and welcoming communities services E ABCD Expected Results A - Orientation B - Language/Skills C - Labour Market Access D – Welcoming Communities E - Program and Policy Development

6. Needs Assessment in Practice Findings of Needs Assessment Inventory Project (Summer 2009) & Consultations during ISAP 2009 Conferences in Toronto indicate that: Needs Assessment and Referral are universal practices, but common approaches/tools relatively unknown or unshared. Many tools collect basic information on individual newcomer situation (e.g., members in family, relationship to applicant, etc.), but few suited to taking a family approach to assess newcomer needs. Assessment and data collection (i.e., iCAMS) activities do not allow CIC to establish baseline data on newcomer needs. SPOs want CIC to develop tools and a more standardized approach, but want CIC to allow for flexibility in how they deliver these services. SPOs want CIC to provide greater opportunities for sharing best practices on needs assessment, data collection and reporting. 6 For discussion

7. General Principles of Needs Assessment and Referral Services under the Modernized Approach Carried out in a more consistent way within the settlement sector (i.e., several key standard questions). Made available to newcomers at the earliest possible opportunity. Include primary/global assessments and Secondary/Program-Specific Assessments. Structured to serve newcomers across the spectrum of CIC-funded (e.g., language, skills, employment, etc.) and non-CIC-funded (housing, health, education) settlement services. Family-oriented when possible, followed by a more individualized approach. Result in Settlement Plans for newcomers. 7 For discussion

8. Settlement Plans –Capture newcomer needs and provide a roadmap to achieving settlement objectives. –Primarily a tool for the newcomer rather than the settlement worker. –“Reality check” on the actions and time required to meet the newcomers’ stated settlement objectives. –Family-oriented or individual. –Portable and amendable. –Identify “checkpoints” that can be used to monitor progress (e.g. language levels). –Sets rationale for referrals to settlement services. 8 For discussion

9. Settlement Plans: Examples CIC has attempted to develop some basic settlement planning models (e.g. 2005 Intake/Assessment Form). Current example: ON initiative “Orientation to Ontario” to introduce settlement plans for newcomers. Checklists often used as an approach to settlement planning online (e.g., web-based newcomer guides, immigration consultant websites, etc.). Preliminary environmental scan of online tools for newcomers indicates that there is presently no comprehensive, interactive settlement planning tool that covers a broad spectrum of settlement needs and services. 9 For discussion

10. Implementing an Enhanced Approach to Needs Assessment and Referral Two (2) main objectives: Objective 1: Online Settlement Planning Tool for Newcomers that: –Helps users consider their settlement needs and objectives across a broad range of areas (e.g., immediate settlement, language, skills and education, work, community connections, citizenship). –Provides the opportunity for users to develop family or individual settlement plans. –Directs users to online settlement information based on identified needs. –Bridges users to service provider organizations in Canada. –Can complement overseas and inland NARS by facilitating the work that counsellors do with prospective immigrants and newcomers. 10 For discussion

11. Continued. Objective 2: Standardize NARS within Settlement Sector –Develop guidance for settlement sector on NARS under the Modernized Approach (e.g., primary vs. secondary assessment, family lens, etc.). –Identify a number of key questions that should be asked of newcomers completing a needs assessment. –Introduce use of Settlement Plans for newcomers as essential element in Needs Assessment and Referral practices – i.e., primary assessments result in Settlement Plans). 11 For discussion

12. Interim Online Settlement Planning Tool 1 st version of an online Settlement Planning Tool has been developed. Provides settlement information to the user based on responses to a series of questions. iCAMS data on adult immigrants receiving settlement services suggests that approximately 45% would have the capability to use the tool; if used in a mentored context, that figure could be significantly higher (Data Source: July 2010 detailed iCAMS data extract). Tool will streamline online information for users and make it easier to navigate CIC information on settlement. SPOs to be identified as integral to helping newcomers settle in Canada. To be tested within the settlement sector over the Fall, revised based on user feedback, and implemented in April 2011. More comprehensive tool that directly bridges users to SPOs to be released by 2012. 12 For discussion

13. Interim Tool: Snapshot 1 13 For discussion

14. Interim Tool Snapshot 2 14 For discussion

15. Objective: Link newcomers to services based on a comprehensive assessment of settlement needs. Five (5) sections: –Creating Your Plan –Early Arrival/Basic Settlement Services (e.g., SIN, housing, etc.) –Canada’s Official Languages –Finding a Job –Living in Canada (education, social networking, community programs/services, etc.) –Canadian Citizenship Links newcomers to services based on identified need and location in Canada; results in a family or individual settlement plan (suggested actions, resources, timelines and links to available service providers in the community). 15 Comprehensive Online Tool For discussion

16. Questions for Discussion Do you agree that more useful data on newcomers needs and objectives could be collected through a more rigorous approach to Needs Assessment and Referral? What are your first impressions of the Interim Settlement Planning Tool? How can CIC ensure that it serves newcomers and settlement workers? What are we missing (existing tools, possible challenges, etc.)? 16 For discussion

17. ANNEX A – Common Needs Assessment Categories Presently, needs tend to be assessed across the following areas: Information/Orientation Language Translation/Interpretation Education & Skills (upgrading education, computer training, children’s schooling, credential assessment) Employment (job search, self-employment, career planning) Housing/Accommodation Immigration & Citizenship (e.g., rights and responsibilities permanent residence card, sponsorship, etc.) Family Issues (e.g., childcare, domestic violence, intergenerational conflict, etc.) Health & Well Being (medical, anger management, crisis management, nutrition, disability/special needs) Financial/Economical (income support, banking, financial literacy, etc.) Legal Information/Services Documentation Transportation Social/Community Support (e.g., recreation, support groups, places of workshop, community events, hosts/mentors, community services, etc.) Government Services (Health Insurance, EI, Child Welfare Benefit, SIN, Old Age, pension, social assistance, etc.) 17 For discussion