Research Library

Open-access – Yes

Pdf

Key populations

community partners and staff of BCIS/FCIS/ RVIS/WCIS; newcomers living in Southern Alberta

Integration timeline

At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?

NA

Key recommendations

1. Continue to provide services and supports for newcomers in rural Southern Alberta communities, and service expansion opportunities.
2. Seek opportunities to have a physical presence in more rural Southern Alberta communities.
3. Seek opportunities to support all newcomers in rural Southern Alberta communities, no matter their immigration status.
4. Seek opportunities to offer services outside typical 9:00am to 5:00pm office hours.
5. Continue to collaborate within communities.
6. Continue to build strong relationships with local employers in rural Southern Alberta communities.
7. Continue to collect data from clients, with attention paid to ensuring data is collected consistently across all domains.
8. Seek opportunities to engage newcomer seniors within rural Southern Alberta communities.
9. Build on pandemic-related learnings and experiences to advance effective practices.
10. Continue implementing identified effective approaches and seek opportunities to share learnings about best practices.

Key findings

Evaluation found:

100% of newcomer clients felt the services they received were good or excellent.

Based on the high level of satisfaction with the services they had received, 100% of clients indicated that they would access BCIS, FCIS, RVIS, and/or WCIS services again in the future if they needed further support.

Community and staff stakeholders felt that the services offered by CCIS for newcomers in rural areas fill a number of key service gaps without creating duplication of services.

100% of clients indicated that they would say positive things about their service experience to others. Clients described service staff using words such as ‘friendly’, ‘supportive’, ‘accommodating’, ‘professional’, ‘respectful’, ‘encouraging’, ‘approachable’, ‘understanding’, ‘collaborative’, and ‘kind’.

Community and staff stakeholders highlighted the benefits of CCIS’ contribution to community collaboration and inclusion for newcomers living in rural Southern Alberta.

Community partner and staff stakeholders highlighted the positive impacts of CCIS services in rural Southern Alberta, including impacts on both newcomers and communities. Stakeholders had observed clients integrating into communities more smoothly due to the support they received, and ultimately gaining a sense of belonging in Canada as a result. Stakeholders also indicated that their communities were positively impacted – becoming more inclusive, welcoming, and diverse as a result of CCIS’ presence in their communities.

Staff felt that providing or facilitating services in first languages was a key best practice in their support for clients. Other best practices identified by staff included:

• Being flexible and accommodating.

• Undertaking community outreach efforts.

• Having a friendly and caring approach.

• Connecting clients to volunteer opportunities.

• Building strong community partnerships.

• Providing a wide range of services and referrals.

Gaps identified

NA

Location

Southern Alberta

Community organizations

CCIS