Settlement Workers in Schools

School District 43 Coquitlam

FORTIFYING FAMILIES & COMMUNITIESOctober 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

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1681 17202361

669

27593734

7304

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

LanguagePrevents families from accessing basic needs,

resources

HousingLimited incomeToo few affordable unitsExisting units present social problems for

newcomers

Health CareAccess to physicians in clients’ language very

limited

FoodLimited 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” StoryFamily background

Searching for SupportTrauma Counselling requiredLanguage, Cost, Distance

BarriersAge AppropriateFrequency of ServiceWorking with whole family

Results

A DAY WITH SWIS…

Soheila’s JourneyBecoming a SWIS worker

“Rihana’s” StoryFamily BackgroundRihana’s challengesSearching for Support –

Plan of ActionCoordinating ServicesFamily EducationCelebrating Success

Moving forwardLearning to cope with

new challengesTowards independenceServices adapt to

changing needs

A DAY WITH SWIS…..Stella’s JourneyBecoming a SWIS worker

Yin & Yang of working as SWIS

“Mei’s” storyWhere to get help?How to access MH service?Unbalanced parenting rolesLack of support from extended

families

“Farax’s” storyTeach basic life skills in the cityMatch SWIS service to client’s

adaptation stagesIntroduce to her own communityConnect beyond language barrier

QUESTIONS…