Minutes of the SWISAC Meeting



Minutes of the SWISAC Meeting

Held at Citizenship and Immigration Canada [CIC] Settlement Directorate Office

130 Adelaide St., West, Suite 1500, Toronto, Ontario M5H 3P5

September 28, 2005January 19, 2006

Participants:

Colette Snyder, CIC

Richard Lecours, CIC

Elena Shkrab, JF&CS

Lloyd Mckell, TDSB

Lucy Bacchet, YCDSB

Jean-Francois Picher, CEPEO

Debbie Douglas, OCASI

Jenny Vane, Ont Min of Citizenship

Elizabeth GlassKelly Yuen, Toronto Public Library

Jehad Aliweiwi, TNO

Morteza Jafarpour, SISO

Jasminka Klacar, SEPWR

Beverly Lawrence, SEPT, OCASI (Recorder)

Peter Dorfman, SWIS Coordinator

Nina Chahal, Ont Ministry of Education

Dipal Damani, Ont. Min of Children & Youth Services

Diane Dyson, United Way Toronto

Julie Mathien, City of Toronto

Regrets:

Jenny Ratansi-Rodriques, Can Heritage

Lloyd McKell, TDSB

Fawzia Ratanshi, United Way Toronto

Colette Snyder, CIC

Lloyd Mckell, TDSB

Julie Mathien, City of Toronto

Debbie Douglas, OCASI

Jehad Aliweiwi, TNO

Elizabeth Glass, Toronto Public Library

1. Welcome and Introductions

• There was a brief introduction by committee members. The committee welcomed:

• The committee welcomed EElizabeth Coelho, from the Ontario Ministry of Education, TDSB ESL department as Nina Chahal’s replacement on the committee, Nina asked to remain on the mailing list.

• Dipal Damani from the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services.

• Colette introduced Elena Shkrab of Jewish Family& Child Services. She replaced Huma Nauman as the SEPT program representative.

2. Minutes of May 19

3. Agenda and Minutes of September 28 meeting wereas rReviewed and corrections made.

• Action: Colette to send corrected minutes by email.

4. Matters Arising from Minutes

BullittBullet #i, Lucy Bacchet explained that she had brought the issue to the table to be addressed as a provincial issue and to get feedback from others. The statement should be read as: Looking at services to newcomer families who need in-depth counseling but language is a barrier,. Aafter a referral is made to a settlement worker, where would it would ggo from there. Post-launch of the video “New Moves” became a hit with school administrators at all boards in the province.

It is now dubbed in Somali and Tamil, and hopefully it will be available in other languages soon.

CIC is contracting with a Web Designer to distribute “New Moves” on-line.

Later in the meeting Peter Dorfman shared comments from senior officials at the school boards

5. Reports/Updates

a) (a) Coletter Synder, CIC

b) Newspapers reported that the Federal Minister made an announcement that immigration levels would go up over the next five years by approximately 1 per cent. (see attached link below).

c)

d) Richard Lecours, added that while the rest of Ontario was going up Toronto was dropping by about 5% per year based on statistics from the assessment centres. He thinks that newcomers are now more educated of other regions they may be settling in upon arrival in Ontario (earlier they may have only know of Toronto)

e) Access to Professions and Trades will be moving to Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.

f)

g) (b) OCASI, Debbie Douglas

h) The settlement sector is still negotiating on the joint Labour Market Agreement & Settlement. It would seems as if the government is not interested in the distribution of the $$. She added that every other province has some shared cost agreement except Ontario. The negotiations between Ontario (MCI) and Canada (CIC) re a Settlement Agreement are close to completion. The good news for the sector is that administration of settlement and integration funds will remain with CIC minimizing the interruption in sector programming, etc. Complicating the negotiations is the inclusion of the Labour Market Development Agreement – LMDA -(Canada /Ontario) co-managed model negotiations that have not advanced as quickly as the MOA.

i) The sector is continuing also pressuring the government to give a larger share of the (settlement) funding to Ontario. This means that the sector, while building on existing services, must also start thinking of what kinds of new services they will be delivering to newcomers in the futureit’s push to have the federal Settlement Allocation Model reviewed. This is important as the current model disadvantages Ontario. There is some agreement on this from our sister umbrellas across the country, but no firm commitment from integration branch to undertake this soon.

j)

k) Morteza added that a Joint Policy and Program Committee Council formed 5 years ago (made up of the sector, federal government and provinces with settlement agreements) will continue based on an agreement that was signed 2 years ago. The credibility of the process comes from feedback received by the National Headquarter and Regional Dept.will continue to work together on policy and programs.

l)

m) © Ontario Min. of Education, Elizabeth Coelho:

, Nina ChahalElizabeth Coelho gave a brief clarification of the terms ELL, ESL, and ELD. She stated that the reason for these terms is to distinguish between programs and the learning needs of the studentss need. This was also based on the tremendous advocacy from groups on the need of immigrant families. There is Later is a possibility of there could be some joint projects with SWIS (details will be available if approved by the Ministry).

The Ministry of Education has a webcast on Teaching and Learning in Multilingual Ontario’s WEBCAST launched 2 websites: The first one () has been launched that focuses on first language retention of newcomer students. On the site there areAlso readers related can view other articles associated with first language at the site. There is also a one-hour video by OISE talking about the need to encourage first language maintenance, including a and PPower-point presentations. also.

There is also an article about Creating a Multilingual School Environment at the Literacy Secretariat’s Journal: Inspire () The second website inspirelearning.ca has articles on learning English and French. There are also articles linking with the community to provide inspirational stories on a regular basis; a space for students and parents to bring their stories.

n) United Way of Greater TorontoTA:

– Diane Dyson who attended on behalf of Fawzia Ratansi reported that United Way is looking at 13 priorities that have been identified by the City of Toronto, and at this time the allocation managers are looking into programs which includes: developing strategies; looking at poverty by postal codes; partnership with the City focusing on low income suburbs; looking at skills people are bringing to the program; how to build longevity; how to improve academic achievement and keep youth in school and programs that impact newcomers: one on youth and one on newcomers overall.

The United -Way report has on prepared “bBest pPractice” reports on Newcomers and Youth., s has been released but they are not available to the public. as an internal document and is not available on their website either.

• The Minister has made a decision to replace English as a Second Language with English Language Learners. There will be an announcement in the coming weeks re the change by the Minister.

• The formula used to distribute the funds other years is now being revised. Strict guidelines will be used and the Minister is asking to refocus based on feedback from the consultations held earlier this year.

• Nina will be focusing on literacy and numeracy at the kindergarten to grade 3 levels. She added that there is a need to start working earlier with not only the newcomers but also with the mainstream children.

• There will be community consultations, newcomer parents, and school councils, and will also partner with Best Start to help improve the situation at these grade levels.

o) (d) Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, Jenny Vane:

The MinistryCIC is currently working with OCASI on developing curriculum for Franco-phone settlement workers to address the training needs of the workers.

There are 2 working groups currently looking into the needs of the community: one is the Language Working Group, and the other is the Settlement Working Group. They are looking at implementation strategies, not looking at new initiatives but mainly at what types of programs are out there.

The Minister, Mike ColleDeputy Minister – Joan Andrews - has scheduled tours across the city where she will be making announcements.

Information and Referral Workshops (I & R) were successful. The Deputy Minister also attended one session and made a presentation. The settlement workersSWIS Coordinators and Agency Directors present gave good feedback on the training to Jenny.

p) CIC –Richard Lecours:

The election slows down the Canada-Ontario Agreement with regards to the money proposed for settlement in Ontario. There is an iInterim team currently working with the province on the agreement. The understanding is that if the agreement goes through, for the first year 50 millionml will be added to the budget,, and then, over the next four years, additional moneyies will roll in starting with 108 million in the next yearg at 108ml. After the election on January 23, we may have a better idea of where SWIS stands by the next meeting.

Agencies were asked to put forth 3 budgets. Budget one is based on no increase, budget two is based on existing real costs and budget three includes new initiatives. Since budget #3 is about new initiatives it has to be put on hold until after the election. With no new money as yet makes it difficult to plan so agencies will have to shrink their budget, but in the meantime, pre-identify their priorities and hang on to the list until after the election.

q) The ministry has both a new Minister (Mike Colle) and a new deputy Minister, (John AndrewJoan Andrews). Both have not moved to the ministry as yet as they are still discussing space, etc.

• The minister has announced the budget for 2005-06 at COSTI. There is no increase for NSP. This department received over 20 new applications but was only able to fund one in Brantford.

• There was a consultation done with OCASI on I & R training for NSP staff only who work directly with clients and who have not had the opportunity to receive this training. The two-day workshop will take place in November 2005.

• Still working to set up a website but has no idea of when it will be launched. Question raised about the possibility of linking theirs and CIC’s portal, but Jenny said she was unsure of what would happen.

r) (e) SEPT Coordinatortion Rep, Elena Shkrab:

A province-wide Training for new workers was held on November 23, 2005.

Workshops are increasing in all projects and the newcomer parents are asking for more.

SEPT met with Kelly Yuen of the Toronto Public Library to look at next step for the Summer Program, and also to look at increasing the number of families in the ‘English Can Be Fun’ summer program. Coordinators gave their feedback which was well received by Kelly Yuen.

A representative of the Toronto Public Health also attended the last Coordinators meeting and made a presentation on how SWIS clients can get assistance with health issues in the schools.

• The Summer Program was an overall success. It worked really well in all six clusters.

• Cluster 7 summer stats were increased from 400 to 1000.

s) SEPWR, Jasminka Klacar:

Schools and organizations outside Toronto see New Moves as a good tool, however there is a concern that it is mostly being used by school staff.

On January 21-29 there will be a workshop giving opportunity to immigrants moving to a new country to share their stories by using art.

Ontario Early Years workshops will run in February and March.

The Information & Referral training went well across the projects so now we should be looking at the impact on services.

Kitchener-Waterloo and the school board ESL department are organizing library tours.

At the SWIS Coordinators’ meeting discussion was held on behalf of the settlement workers to ensure good workplace environment; stability and building trust.

• In the region, newcomer children, especially those coming in from refugee camps have verbal language skills, but not reading or writing skills. Coordinator and settlement workers are now meeting regularly with school staff to address newcomers’ needs.

• Showing that new immigrants who are coming are ready to get resources and have knowledge of the resources available, refugees on the other hand, do not have a sense of where to find the resources.

• Coordinators and settlement workers have been participating is different types of community events to build awareness of the program.

• Youth employment is the current issue on the table.

• Summer Program:

t) Delivered 3 workshops including showing “New Moves”. The viewers showed interest followed by a discussion. This year SEPWR and the libraries formed an advisory committee to help solve issues/concerns in the summer program. SEPWR is trying to partner with more libraries for next summer. Many immigrants were seen but a low percentage was newcomers. Although the region has a history of welcoming refugees, the perception is that newcomers need food and clothing, no focus on education.

u) SWISH, Morteza Jafarpour:

At this time all agencies are talking about new initiatives for the future.

Executive Directors exchanged calls regarding budget #2 since there are no clear guidelines.

Now evaluating the program to see if I & R is being used as tool by the workers to do the work differently.

The Hamilton Spectator did daily stories for a month on the Somali refugees (GARS). As a result theThere were many were tremendous amount of calls from the public expressing concern about the familiesafter seeing the human faces of the refugees.

Still looking into the issue ofMeeting the needs of these families is an ongoing challenge. Eighty percent of the GARS GARS where 80% of these people are children.

Jasminka stated that given the fact that there is no coordination in the schools and with case management the eligibility criteria is different so GARS cannot be referred to life skill program.

Richard added that since e CIC moved ISAP programs are expected to tprovideo itinerant services, program ISAP workers should give support to GARS. This was originally talked of implementing when money comes through. At this time CIC the refugee department is looking at case management strategies to better support these families.

v) Now that the summer program is over and the staff has returned to the schools the libraries are concerned as to what will happen throughout the year.

• Findings show that because the newcomer children speak the English language other settlement needs are being overlooked. Also if we are focusing on the parent’s needs, then the needs of the children are being ignored.

• He added that at the SWIS ED meeting there were discussion around newcomer issues, and talks of seeing CIC having a role in newcomer children’s education.

w) Ottawa, MLO/ALM Jean-Francois Picher :

The objective of the French Board is to maintain and increase the school population.Jean Francois spoke about the decline in the number of students (31,000)in grades 1 to 129 in the French Boards during the period of 1991 to 2004. He explained that this meant a 25% reduction in the number of students. The fact that though both the French and English boards experience many of the same problems, the French Board biggest problem is the loss of 31,000 students from grades 1 to 9, between the periods, 1991-2004, which is 25% of the school population.

He then gave examples of children who attended French schools at kindergarten level that have been switched to the English Board for grade 1, and likewise, children may continue to grade 7 (ending elementary) but most of them switched to the English Board when starting middle school.

x) TNO, Jehad Aliweiwi

• Opens a new Youth Drop-in Centre for youth in the area.

• This summer TNO delivered service at the Toronto Reference Library, expanding ongoing settlement service being provided by the agency.

y) YCDSB, Lucy Bacchet

z) The newcomer numbers have gone up and the needs are being addressed well than before.

Still working on counseling issues addressing the language needs of the immigrant/newcomer families.

There will be a Steering Committee meeting on October 3. Provincial Coordinator, Peter to attend.

TPL, Elizabeth Glass

• The video is being worked on to promote the library in different languages.

• There will be a pilot program to place workers in 4 libraries all year round.

• The annual conference of the Ontario Library Association will be held in Toronto is a good place to show the video. If you would like to be involved please contact Elizabeth. She will support anyone who wishes to be involved.

• TPL looking at more drop-in models trying to respond to people’s needs. Like to see TPL models which are presently being used expand across the province.

• Peter Dorfman, added that Hamilton and Toronto libraries are at the top when it comes to settlement workers as a resource for newcomers.

Ottawa, MLO

• Newcomer issues still a major challenge for all French boards. Challenges differ from school board to school board across the province. All boards handling issues through their local policies.

• The school population increases very often in the French Public Boards so community outreach is the best tool being use in informing newcomers of French workers in Ontario.

• Still awaiting the outcome of the summer Camp report. So far they know parents have problems with transportation to and from the camp.

• The board is having problem finding qualified teachers and principals from minority communities.

• Crime rates in Somali and Asian communities will be dealt with by hiring Social Workers. Some will work as Corridor Workers in the schools to spot crimes. From this the workers will make sure that students stay in their classes, go to classes on times, and diminish loitering in hallways, etc.

• Ottawa will bridge with other French boards in the province, and will be meeting with the Director of the French boards to address and discuss the problem soon

f) City of Toronto, Julie Matien

• June report on immigrant and settlement went to city council. The report includes what the division has done in regards to settlement.

• Action: Julie to send a copy of the report to Colette

• The new Immigrant & Refugee Working Group will meet quarterly. The mandate is to look at newcomers’ civic engagement and economic education.

A series of workshops were held on different topics. Peter organized a workshop at Thorncliffe Park Public School. OCASI organized one called, Trafficking of Women & Girls.

SWIS, Peter Dorfman

aa) YCDSB, Lucy Bacchet:

New Moves is being well used by both school boards in York. There is a joint in-service with staff of both boards having settlement workers making presentation in small workshops. The boards withand the Reception/Assessment Centres have established small wWorking gGroups to complement the work they are trying to do.New Moves is being well used by both school boards in York. There will be a joint in-service in April with staff of both boards with settlement workers making presentation in small workshops. A similar inservice took place in December 2005. The school boards with Reception/Assessment Centres have established a network meeting group composed of representaives from the Reception/Assessment Centres to complement the work they are doing.

ab) The Toronto Public Library (TPL) – Kelly Yuen:

This past summer TPL delivered services to newcomers in 29 locations. The program runs for 6 weeks from first week of July to the last week of August. The program was introduced to the Toronto Reference Library for the first timeyear and was a huge success. Two Settlement workers served over 300 clients in 2 months. In total, SEPT delivered service to 4432 clients in all locations.

SEPT along with TPL introduced some changes because of past experience which helped the program to run smoothly and effectively.

For the Summer Program TPL is requesting theo French settlement workers for service to delivery to Franco-phones clients.

Peter added that he met with SWIS Library partners and looked at two themes. SWIS and the Libraries will be working on these themes in the near future. These are:

• Library for Children’s Success in SchoolHow the library helps your child succeed in school

• How the library helps you re-establish your career in CanadaLibrary: A place for you resources

ac) Ministry of Children & Youth Services, Dipal Dimani:

The Ministry is currently focusing on the Best Start Program, and also looking at children in Mental Health programs.

The issue of social inclusion on children and youth has been raised. Will provide more information and will also share the Ministry’s report by email or at next meeting.

ad) Provincial Coordinator, Peter Dorfman:

Peter shared the Ontario Provincial School Board Association Position Paper (OPSBA) which highlighted their recommendations. One of the recommendations stated that monies for non-academic support should be funded through settlement agencies. The OPSBA also sent a letter to the Federal Minister in which they commented on the importance of the SWIS program.

Morteza stated that he thinks although the OPSBA may not want the money, they are trying to dump settlement issues in the schools on CIC and other funders where funding is limited which makes ESL and other programs become isolated. SWISAC should think of the impact on newcomers.

Richard added that the OPSBA should be talking to the Language Working Group at the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration CIC. When asked, Jenny Vane said the group may not have seen such Position Paper.er, and therefore, there were no discussion around the OPSBA.

Peter reported that the Newmoves.caNew Moves site is now up. He has distributed 1700 copies have been distributed since September, and as reported in the last meeting he is getting requests not only from from not only Ontario but also from two other provinces, namely British Columbia and Alberta. THe is still waiting for the multilingual versions which will be available sometime in February. These consist of 17 different audio tracks on one DVD..

The Provincial Coordinator and the SWIS Coordinators are looking at the following new initiatives:

At this time they are reviewing the Ontario Early Years Program. Since the program is general SWIS will look at a small pilot for newcomer children for next year.The school readiness needs of newcomer kindergarten students.

A new video and Users’ Guide on Parent-Teacher Interview are being worked on. This video addresses newcomer families arriving in the schools who do not have such experience with regards to meeting the teacher to discus their child’s progress.

Your Library Video was launched on December 2 by The Toronto Public Library. In attendance were CIC, SWIS Coordinators, some settlement workers and other SWIS staff.

Kelly Yuen added that TPL is looking at putting the video on a central site so that viewers can have access.

6. 5. ‘New Moves’ video: anticipating an article in the star tomorrow from the TDSB ESL Dinner Launch which will take place today at 4 p.m.

At this time he is working with different projects on ideas how to advertise ‘New Moves’ in their schools. The video will be sent out only by request. It was endorsed by senior official s at board level. All comments showed positive feedback. The guide is now posted on .

Hoping to finish the ‘Newcomer’s French/English Secondary school Guide’ very soon. It is fully written, but is waiting to be designed. It is now being reviewed by the Toronto French board.

A folder has been developed by the projects with 14 points to guide newcomers in their first weeks in the country. Some of the points include getting SIN card, OHIP, CCTB, etc.

New Video: A new video is being developed with key messages to address what happen during parent-teacher interview.

SWIS participation:

Upcoming Metropolis conference (TPL panel)

Presentation using ‘New Moves’ to trainees taking their ESL qualification course at Valley Park JMS.

Presentation to Dufferin Peel Catholic Board where ‘New Moves’ was shown.

TDSB ESL department will hold a Dinner to launch ‘New Moves’ today 4 p.m.

York University Teacher Candidates doing a field placement with the SEPT.

Summer Program:

TPL staff was assigned to orientate the SWs at the Toronto Reference Library.

Tent cards were also developed and given to the workers as one of the resources to help them outreach to newcomer patrons.

Meeting participants viewed ‘Your Library’, a video on library services shot only on the Toronto Public Library system. Peter explained that library policies differ over the province, so managers will add what is needed in their video, for example the type of identification one should bring when signing up. The next video shoot will be in Ottawa, then Hamilton.

SWISAC Terms of Reference

At the last meeting Colette handed out the Terms of reference for review.

It is agreed that a member can sit for a term of 2 years.

There was no objection to the SEPT Coordinators’ decision to elect a new representative to replace Huma Nauman.

Request:

Nina Chahal made a request to bring Elizabeth Coelho, to the next meeting

Congratulations:

The committee congratulates Lloyd McKell who has been appointed to a new, more senior position at the TDSB.

Other BusinessBrainstorming Session followe:d

(a) Short-term projects proposal (to March 31, 2006) includes;

• Customizable orientation packages for parents and students

• Purchasing copies of Talk with Your Child in First Language, convert videos to DVD, produce in other languages.

• Consult with ALM and PIDEF stakeholders on French languages tools

• Dubbing of Your Library and Parents-Tteacher Interview vVideos.

• Improvement to OTIS-the online tracking form system

• Print New to Canada folders in English and French

•

(b) ISAP-B Project Ideas from February meeting: the committee reviewed what had been done since that meeting, and continued in this meeting to lLong-term plan for SWIS program is to look at the following SWIS program issues activities to see if CIC can fundput them in plan for next year.when the new money becomes available:

• Crime prevention strategies and products

• newcomer secondary school student leadership skills training

• a training/orientation video for SWIS workers

• Parent version of New Moves

• Produce an elementary version of New Moves

• SWIS conference for SWIS workers only, or for SWIS workers and stakeholders

All agreed that given the amount of time left for this meeting brainstorming will continue at the next meeting.

Action: Colette to send notes by email to the committee.

Brainstorming to continue On January 19/05

Next meeting: Thursday, January 19,May 4, 2006, 9:30 a.m. – to 12: 30 p.m.

CIC office, 130 Adelaide St. W. Ste. 1500

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