Research Library

The CCIS Centre for Refugee Resilience Youth Therapy 2020-2021 Evaluation is a report that highlights the positive impact of the Youth Therapy Program on immigrant and refugee children and their families. The report provides an overview of the mental health services offered by the program, including individual and group therapy, as well as the use of interpreters to ensure multilingual accessibility. The report also emphasizes the importance of confidentiality in the program and provides data on the success of the program in helping children heal from trauma. The report concludes with a list of resources consulted in the evaluation, including academic studies and government reports. Overall, the report demonstrates the effectiveness of the CCIS Centre for Refugee Resilience Youth Therapy program in supporting the mental health and well-being of immigrant and refugee children. The CCIS Centre for Refugee Resilience Youth Therapy 2020-2021 Evaluation is a report that highlights the positive impact of the Youth Therapy Program on immigrant and refugee children and their families. The report provides an overview of the mental health services offered by the program, including individual and group therapy, as well as the use of interpreters to ensure multilingual accessibility. The report also emphasizes the importance of confidentiality in the program and provides data on the success of the program in helping children heal from trauma. The report concludes with a list of resources consulted in the evaluation, including academic studies and government reports. Overall, the report demonstrates the effectiveness of the CCIS Centre for Refugee Resilience Youth Therapy program in supporting the mental health and well-being of immigrant and refugee children.
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The “Welcoming Claresholm” Settlement, Integration, and Language Project (June 2020 – June 2021) was a timely and effective initiative, supporting the residents of Claresholm, Alberta to raise their awareness of the benefits of immigration and to their role in being a welcoming community. The project engaged service providers, public servants, immigrant and non-immigrant community members, faith groups, educators, and business-owners – with a growing number of committed partners, volunteers, and community champions. Key project outputs are a Welcoming Claresholm Committee, a Welcoming Claresholm website, a series of diversity trainings, and several communitywide events and information sessions. As the project is very early in its planning and implementation, there is consensus that, while impactful, long-term efforts are necessary to create a truly welcoming community that can support the long-term retention of newcomers through localized, evidence-informed strategies. As health restrictions lift there will be increased opportunities to host larger scale events and training sessions and to foster relationships through in-person meetings, ultimately enhancing the pace of outreach efforts. Under the guidance of the Calgary and Foothills Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS & FCIS), he first year of the project has set a strong foundation and generated notable momentum for ongoing work. The “Welcoming Claresholm” Settlement, Integration, and Language Project (June 2020 – June 2021) was a timely and effective initiative, supporting the residents of Claresholm, Alberta to raise their awareness of the benefits of immigration and to their role in being a welcoming community. The project engaged service providers, public servants, immigrant and non-immigrant community members, faith groups, educators, and business-owners – with a growing number of committed partners, volunteers, and community champions. Key project outputs are a Welcoming Claresholm Committee, a Welcoming Claresholm website, a series of diversity trainings, and several communitywide events and information sessions. As the project is very early in its planning and implementation, there is consensus that, while impactful, long-term efforts are necessary to create a truly welcoming community that can support the long-term retention of newcomers through localized, evidence-informed strategies. As health restrictions lift there will be increased opportunities to host larger scale events and training sessions and to foster relationships through in-person meetings, ultimately enhancing the pace of outreach efforts. Under the guidance of the Calgary and Foothills Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS & FCIS), he first year of the project has set a strong foundation and generated notable momentum for ongoing work.
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The Central Alberta Refugee Effort (C.A.R.E) based in Red Deer, AB, provides a variety of services for refugees in the area. In the 2020-2021 year, 350 students from 49 countries participated in ESL classes and training. 320 students received translation support, such as during Parent Teacher Interviews for their children. C.A.R.E additionally created online resources for the pandemic that reached 686 participants. Regarding the Red Deer region, 65 clients were assisted with settlement. The Central Alberta Refugee Effort (C.A.R.E) based in Red Deer, AB, provides a variety of services for refugees in the area. In the 2020-2021 year, 350 students from 49 countries participated in ESL classes and training. 320 students received translation support, such as during Parent Teacher Interviews for their children. C.A.R.E additionally created online resources for the pandemic that reached 686 participants. Regarding the Red Deer region, 65 clients were assisted with settlement.
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Through focus groups with educators working with newcomer children, this study asked: 1) For newcomer families, what are indicators of quality in early learning and child care?, and 2) What are the essential dispositions child care educators demonstrate that meet the needs of newcomer children and families? 5 key themes were identified, including language barriers and tensions, the need for flexibility, and how educators can grow, seek and co-learn with newcomer families. Through focus groups with educators working with newcomer children, this study asked: 1) For newcomer families, what are indicators of quality in early learning and child care?, and 2) What are the essential dispositions child care educators demonstrate that meet the needs of newcomer children and families? 5 key themes were identified, including language barriers and tensions, the need for flexibility, and how educators can grow, seek and co-learn with newcomer families.
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Research is lacking on the intersection between being trans or non-binary and a newcomer in Canada. Alberta, in particular, is one of the top 4 provinces where the most trans or non-binary immigrants reside. Reasons for immigration included: persecution, humanitarian claims, to access gender-affirming healthcare, employment, and/or education. Only 1 in 5 trans or non-binary newcomers accessed a settlement service within their first year in Canada. Trans or non-binary newcomers were 2x as likely to NOT have a primary healthcare provider than trans or non-binary second generation immigrants and trans or non-binary immigrants who have been in Canada for more than 5 years. Research is lacking on the intersection between being trans or non-binary and a newcomer in Canada. Alberta, in particular, is one of the top 4 provinces where the most trans or non-binary immigrants reside. Reasons for immigration included: persecution, humanitarian claims, to access gender-affirming healthcare, employment, and/or education. Only 1 in 5 trans or non-binary newcomers accessed a settlement service within their first year in Canada. Trans or non-binary newcomers were 2x as likely to NOT have a primary healthcare provider than trans or non-binary second generation immigrants and trans or non-binary immigrants who have been in Canada for more than 5 years.
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Referral processes are central to ensuring that newcomer clients are connected with appropriate programming and service offerings to support their settlement, integration, and overall wellbeing. These processes involve referring clients from one agency to another based on their specific needs and circumstances. However, the effectiveness of referral processes in Alberta is influenced by a variety of factors, including agency capacity, confidentiality concerns, and the ad hoc nature of follow-up on referrals. This report discusses major barriers to the referral process between Albertan immigrant serving agencies, as well as recommendations for improvement. Referral processes are central to ensuring that newcomer clients are connected with appropriate programming and service offerings to support their settlement, integration, and overall wellbeing. These processes involve referring clients from one agency to another based on their specific needs and circumstances. However, the effectiveness of referral processes in Alberta is influenced by a variety of factors, including agency capacity, confidentiality concerns, and the ad hoc nature of follow-up on referrals. This report discusses major barriers to the referral process between Albertan immigrant serving agencies, as well as recommendations for improvement.
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This report presents findings from the 2020 Family Violence (FV) Broker & Apartment 1310 program evaluations. This year’s evaluation was completed by Habitus Collective and covers the period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The Family Violence Brokers are a supplementary, gender-based support to CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program (CCBP) families who present with family violence concerns. Apartment 1310 provides temporary accommodation and immediate programming for low-risk perpetrators of family violence who are mandated to separate from the family. Beginning in March 2020, the programs had to adapt to frequently changing circumstances and public health regulations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in office closures, work from home mandates, and periods when in-person contact with families was limited or not possible requiring adaptation to virtual or hybrid service delivery. Furthermore, families were and will continue to be facing pandemic-related challenges and stress, which may increase the likelihood or severity of family violence. From the period January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020, the Family Violence Brokers supported a total of 234 families, including 267 adults and 154 children. This was a 28.6% increase from the year prior despite a drop in total CCBP cases. Family Violence clients represented 47 countries of origin and 29 language groups. At the individual level, Canada, India, and the Philippines were the main countries of origin, which aligns to the main countries of origin for recent immigrants to Alberta as a whole. The majority of clients were Canadian Citizens (61%) or Permanent Residents (35%). Due to health restrictions, Apartment 1310 hosted only three residents this year. Evaluation activities revealed that the program along with Apartment 1310 are highly valued by Children’s Services staff, clients, and Brokers. This report presents findings from the 2020 Family Violence (FV) Broker & Apartment 1310 program evaluations. This year’s evaluation was completed by Habitus Collective and covers the period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The Family Violence Brokers are a supplementary, gender-based support to CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program (CCBP) families who present with family violence concerns. Apartment 1310 provides temporary accommodation and immediate programming for low-risk perpetrators of family violence who are mandated to separate from the family. Beginning in March 2020, the programs had to adapt to frequently changing circumstances and public health regulations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in office closures, work from home mandates, and periods when in-person contact with families was limited or not possible requiring adaptation to virtual or hybrid service delivery. Furthermore, families were and will continue to be facing pandemic-related challenges and stress, which may increase the likelihood or severity of family violence. From the period January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020, the Family Violence Brokers supported a total of 234 families, including 267 adults and 154 children. This was a 28.6% increase from the year prior despite a drop in total CCBP cases. Family Violence clients represented 47 countries of origin and 29 language groups. At the individual level, Canada, India, and the Philippines were the main countries of origin, which aligns to the main countries of origin for recent immigrants to Alberta as a whole. The majority of clients were Canadian Citizens (61%) or Permanent Residents (35%). Due to health restrictions, Apartment 1310 hosted only three residents this year. Evaluation activities revealed that the program along with Apartment 1310 are highly valued by Children’s Services staff, clients, and Brokers.
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This report presents findings from the 2020 CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program (CCBP) outcome evaluation, which covers the period from November 1, 2019 to October 31, 2020. The CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program (CCBP) is integral to the practice of Children’s Services (CS), providing cultural and language interpretation that is essential to achieving accurate assessments and positive and sustained outcomes for children and families. There are a number of factors that influence the success of the program. This includes a co-developed model that functions as a deeply embedded partnership between CCIS and Children’s Services. Skilled and competent Brokers who are well-versed in the CS system and community resources, are able to connect with families through lived experience, and are able to invest in strong working relationships with Children’s Services staff are central to achieving outcomes. Yet gaps in preventative services, first-language services, and culturally responsive services continue to make the work difficult and point to the need for ongoing systems advocacy. The CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program itself may not be able to expand while also maintaining the fidelity of the model – which is based on a strong internal community of practice and relationships of trust – however the model has definite potential to be scaled to other systems and communities. This report presents findings from the 2020 CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program (CCBP) outcome evaluation, which covers the period from November 1, 2019 to October 31, 2020. The CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program (CCBP) is integral to the practice of Children’s Services (CS), providing cultural and language interpretation that is essential to achieving accurate assessments and positive and sustained outcomes for children and families. There are a number of factors that influence the success of the program. This includes a co-developed model that functions as a deeply embedded partnership between CCIS and Children’s Services. Skilled and competent Brokers who are well-versed in the CS system and community resources, are able to connect with families through lived experience, and are able to invest in strong working relationships with Children’s Services staff are central to achieving outcomes. Yet gaps in preventative services, first-language services, and culturally responsive services continue to make the work difficult and point to the need for ongoing systems advocacy. The CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program itself may not be able to expand while also maintaining the fidelity of the model – which is based on a strong internal community of practice and relationships of trust – however the model has definite potential to be scaled to other systems and communities.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This report presents findings from the 2020 CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program (CCBP) outcome evaluation, which covers the period from November 1, 2019 to October 31, 2020. The CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program (CCBP) is integral to the practice of Children’s Services (CS), providing cultural and language interpretation that is essential to achieving accurate assessments and positive and sustained outcomes for children and families. There are a number of factors that influence the success of the program. This includes a co-developed model that functions as a deeply embedded partnership between CCIS and Children’s Services. Skilled and competent Brokers who are well-versed in the CS system and community resources, are able to connect with families through lived experience, and are able to invest in strong working relationships with Children’s Services staff are central to achieving outcomes. Yet gaps in preventative services, first-language services, and culturally responsive services continue to make the work difficult and point to the need for ongoing systems advocacy. The CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program itself may not be able to expand while also maintaining the fidelity of the model – which is based on a strong internal community of practice and relationships of trust – however the model has definite potential to be scaled to other systems and communities. This report presents findings from the 2020 CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program (CCBP) outcome evaluation, which covers the period from November 1, 2019 to October 31, 2020. The CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program (CCBP) is integral to the practice of Children’s Services (CS), providing cultural and language interpretation that is essential to achieving accurate assessments and positive and sustained outcomes for children and families. There are a number of factors that influence the success of the program. This includes a co-developed model that functions as a deeply embedded partnership between CCIS and Children’s Services. Skilled and competent Brokers who are well-versed in the CS system and community resources, are able to connect with families through lived experience, and are able to invest in strong working relationships with Children’s Services staff are central to achieving outcomes. Yet gaps in preventative services, first-language services, and culturally responsive services continue to make the work difficult and point to the need for ongoing systems advocacy. The CCIS Cultural Brokerage Program itself may not be able to expand while also maintaining the fidelity of the model – which is based on a strong internal community of practice and relationships of trust – however the model has definite potential to be scaled to other systems and communities.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The Calgary Local Immigration Partnership (CLIP) 2021 Newcomer Survey explores when, how and where newcomers access information as they make Calgary home and suggests areas for increased attention so that together, we can improve newcomers’ experience and settlement and integration outcomes. As Canada reopens after COVID-19 precautions lift, opportunities to review access to settlement and integration programs, to fully utilize immigrant’s vital role in both economic and societal recovery, and to remove systemic barriers for newcomers and marginalized populations present themselves. Better settlement and integration journeys in Canada require engagement by all levels of government, both the private and public sectors as well as civil society. The Calgary Local Immigration Partnership (CLIP) 2021 Newcomer Survey explores when, how and where newcomers access information as they make Calgary home and suggests areas for increased attention so that together, we can improve newcomers’ experience and settlement and integration outcomes. As Canada reopens after COVID-19 precautions lift, opportunities to review access to settlement and integration programs, to fully utilize immigrant’s vital role in both economic and societal recovery, and to remove systemic barriers for newcomers and marginalized populations present themselves. Better settlement and integration journeys in Canada require engagement by all levels of government, both the private and public sectors as well as civil society.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly