FORTIFYING FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES October 2011. ROLE OF SWIS IN SCHOOLS School based settlement...
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Transcript of FORTIFYING FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES October 2011. ROLE OF SWIS IN SCHOOLS School based settlement...
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
010002000300040005000600070008000
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…