M I N U T E S MEETING DATE: 11/16/2015 MEETING TIME: ATTENDANCE:

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1 County of Simcoe Social and Community Services Children & Community Services Department 1110 Highway 26, Midhurst, Ontario L0L 1X0 Main Line (705) Toll Free Fax (705) simcoe.ca MEETING DATE: 11/16/2015 M I N U T E S MEETING TIME: ATTENDANCE: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Simcoe County Museum D. Brown (Social Enterprise for Canada); E. Cudanin (FilCan Barrie); J. Dionne (MCITT/MTCS); J. Ellis (Gateway Centre for Learning); A. Fletcher (South Simcoe Police); C. Fletcher (Simcoe County District School Board); S. Graham for L.S. Doonan (Central Region Headquarters OPP); R. Griffiths (LIP secretary of record); G. Hall (County of Simcoe-Library Co-operative); W. Hembruff (County of Simcoe, Ontario Works); R. Holt (LIP); B. Lamba (United Way); E. Jara (Credit Canada Debt Solutions); D. Lainez (El Remanete Fiel Faithful Remnant Church); S. Lee (LIP); S. A. Maxwell (Family TLC); T. McAlmont (County of Simcoe); J. McGee (YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka); A. Nishimura (County of Simcoe-Research Anaylst Student); L. Reid (Collingwood Public Library for G.Hall); S. Roy (Conseil Scolaire Viamonde); B. Shoreman (SMCDSB); G. Wauchope (County of Simcoe- Mayor of Innisfil); P. Whittington (Georgain College); L. Wild (City of Barrie); L. Wright (County of Simcoe-Research Anaylst) Regrets: A. Albisser (CIC); A. Hall (MCIIT and MTCS); E. Garcia (Enrique N. Garcia Translations); I. Pavilick (pavlicks.com); R. Sullivan (County of Simcoe EDO); C. Vanderkruys (Barrie Public Libarary) Absent: N. Walker (NSM LHIN); D. West (Lakehead University); E. White (My Broadcasting Corporation) SUBJECT: Local Immigration Partnership Council 1. Welcome / Introductions A. Fletcher welcomed the group. Special welcome to J. Dionne from MCIIT who is filling in for A. Hall on assignment. L. Wild Mayor Lehman is involved with an affordable housing program in cooperation with faith based groups and community leaders. There will be opportunity for service providers to work together as the group moves forward. The County has an affordable housing strategy, with a goal to achieve 2,685 new units by More information will be made to the group as it becomes available. J. McGee YMCA has implemented the Orientation to Ontario program consisting of several workshops in different locations targeted to newcomers to the province. She will forward flyers to post on immigration.simcoe.ca once they are available. 2. Approval of Minutes of Meeting September 18, 2015 minutes were approved. 3. County of Simcoe LIP Management Report MCIIT Applications October November 2015 Report.pdf SCS-CS-011-C01 PAGE 1 OF 3

2 4. Sub-Councils / Working Groups Updates Sub-Council Activities Report.pdf Simcoe County Newcomer Recognition Awards Debrief - A. Fletcher shared his first experience attending the event. He encouraged the group to look at possible nominations in community members and businesses who are doing great things now and file applications in preparation of next year s submissions. Youth & workplace awards were not presented this year due to lack of nominations. A. Fletcher requested help from the Council to increase nominations for Number of nominations is a great measurement tool of community engagement. CTV News 2 provided some coverage of the event; Cultural Competency-Debrief of Cultural Competency Activity R. Holt asked the group if they had any feedback. L. Wild felt it was very worthwhile, both personally and professionally. R. Holt indicated that new members for this group are still welcome and encouraged. Next meeting will be held early in the New Year. If council members are interested or have a staff member who would be interested they are asked to contact R. Holt or R. Griffiths. R. Holt will send out a meeting invite. 5. Activity Overview: Health Awareness Activities - S. Lee spoke about access to health care for newcomers. Often newcomers health decreases once they relocate here. Interpretation for patients is a large barrier to quality healthcare for newcomers. Group discussion on family members being used as interpreters. P. Whittington mentioned the difference between a casual interpreter and a professional interpreter. More information could be shared to community partners regarding services that exist in addition to working to improve existing services. SEC has interpretation services available. A survey completed in York Region may provide additional information, D. Brown will send the link to distribute. J. McGee shared with the group that interpretation services in Simcoe County are not free and often are not available in person. E. Cudanin shared his experience with his own delivery of interpretation services. Having cultural knowledge makes a big difference in how the clients words are interpreted. P. Whittington Suggested that interpretations be coordinated with all groups that are sponsoring refugees in the upcoming months and years to help with costs. S. Lee suggested that the language survey that was completed through the LIP in 2013 will be provided to the Council for information. W. Hembruff Approximately ten years ago in Ontario Works a formalized arrangement with professional interpretation services began. All clients whose first language is not English are offered this service from initial contact. This most is often done over the phone. Budget is set aside annually and the services are advertised. Requests for use has increased, most requests are made by clients. Refugee Sponsorship Discussion - B. Lamba cautioned that many of Syrians do not speak Arabic. R. Holt will provide information to the group on interpretation services that are available in Simcoe County. Shared that some settlement programs for Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) have extensive life skills training programs for new arrivals. D. Brown shared with the group Lifeline Syria is a great resource for guidance but not necessarily in Simcoe County as of yet. C. Fletcher shared that the families will be registering the children with the school board and they are anticipating this increase and planning for it. SOS-CS-011-C01 PAGE 2 OF 3

3 R. Holt shared with the group the Refugee Sponsorship Fact Sheet and reminded the group that supporting a family is a community initiative. A. Fletcher focus on the groups that are sponsoring the refugee families so they understand what is available and support the groups so they are informed of what assistance the refugees will need. Launch Settlement Strategy Report Card; Update Update will be made and a report back to be completed. Emergency Services for New Canadians Presentation A. Fletcher shared the ESNC program with the group. Police, fire, ambulance free session to introduce New Canadians to emergency services and make them feel comfortable with those services in Canada. A. Fletcher suggested that this could be a good way to incorporate the launch update with this event in Innisfil. Community supports and services could be included. The event could be held in May or June. 6. Immigrant Entrepreneurship Networking Initiative (Catherine Muenker) S. Lee provided an update in C. Muenker s absence. Excellent results in some areas with 23 attendees in Barrie, 8 in Innisfil and 3 in Collingwood, however no attendees in Orillia and only one in Midland. In some cases participants were willing to travel to Barrie to meet with other entrepreneurs. Project is completed as of the end of November, Partnership Council Survey Results/Insights (Lynn Wright/Rosemary Holt) LIP Implementation survey FINAL.pdf Next Steps A. Fletcher how do we move from thought to action as a council? How can we increase staff awareness and move forward on the recommendations? R. Holt how can the LIP staff support the Council? What types of resources, presentations etc. would you like to see. The council needs to share with the LIP what it is that the group would like to see? Would it be of benefit for immigrants to provide their personal stories to the group to help them understand their journey, struggles and successes? The group like this idea. R. Holt asked, how to support the LIP Council more in their role as ambassadors? The Council will review the survey results and provide feedback to the LIP secretariat on what they can do to help support them. 8. Other Business none at this time. 9. Next Meeting: January 18 th 2016, 9:30 am to 11:30 am Simcoe County Museum SOS-CS-011-C01 PAGE 3 OF 3

4 County of Simcoe Social and Community Services Children & Community Services Department 1110 Highway 26, Midhurst, Ontario L0L 1X0 Main Line (705) Toll Free Fax (705) simcoe.ca SIMCOE COUNTY LOCAL IMMIGRATION PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL Community Engagement MANAGEMENT REPORT OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015 Activity Number Meetings with Community Stakeholders 3 Meetings with Local Businesses 0 Community Networking Meetings 0 Intra Provincial Meetings 1 Training 0 Media Coverage 3 Presentations to Community 0 Scheduled Presentations 1 Scheduled Meetings 2 Scheduled Training/Conferences 1 Scheduled Media Coverage 0 County staff prepared the second quarterly report for CIC for the period covering July 1, 2015 to September 30, Staff also submitted two applications through the MCIIT call for proposals, due October 8, Following feedback from the Partnership Council at the September meeting, applications to support a feasibility study for a multicultural centre, and a project in partnership with post-secondary institutions through MIIO to add content to the immigration website and host welcoming events for international students were submitted through the online process. In addition to preparing municipal funding applications, LIP secretariat shared information, stats, a standard supporting letter, with community stakeholders to encourage increased proposal activity, and ultimately increased investment in Simcoe County. Newcomer Recognition Awards Staff were involved with the awards and supported registration process, onsite logistics, and led community meetings. More details will be shared as part of the formal agenda on November 16, Local Poverty Reduction Fund The County of Simcoe is waiting to receive an agreement from the province for this project. SCS-CS-003-C01

5 Health Force Ontario Secretariat engaged in dialogue with Health Force Ontario about potential workshops for employment and health employers. They are currently working on developing some products and resources that will be available in Funders Network Meeting Meeting did not take place in October, and needs to be scheduled in the next few months. Refugee Sponsorship Fact Sheet The final draft of the fact sheet has been distributed to community partners and is available on the LIP pages of the County website. Provincial LIP Meeting Rosemary Holt attended a provincial meeting on October 2, 2015 focused on Health Equity Impact Assessments (HEIA) hosted by the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group. The meeting was facilitated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care / The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Points of Review: Social determinants of immigrant health: Stats related to immigrants and homelessness (1 in 3 homeless individuals in Toronto is an immigrant), wage-earning gap between racialized and non-racialized men, and low income prevalence with members identifying as visual minorities. Examples of health inequities: Canadian men in higher income brackets living longer than those in lower-brackets, asthma rates increased in children living in poverty, smoking rates within First Nations or Inuit populations more than triple than rest of Canada, and cancer screening rates substantially lower for low-income Canadians and recent immigrants. Why consider health equity: Ethical and legal reasons Health Equity Impact Assessment tool: Ensures potential unintended health impacts on vulnerable/marginalized groups within the general population are identified and mitigated. o End goal: More equitable program, service, policy. o Used in various countries, at various levels, and in various sectors. o HEIA can result in both cost savings and improved health outcomes. o Support equity-based improvements in program or service design / raise awareness about health equity as a catalyst for change throughout the organization. The 5-steps of HEIA: Scoping, Potential Impacts, Mitigation, Monitoring, and Dissemination Local health agencies are required to use HEIA, and this may raise awareness of immigrant patient needs and isolation factors. Pathways to Prosperity Conference: November 30/December 1, 2015 Western University will be hosting a national conference, Responding to a Changing Immigration Environment. Themes to be covered will include a discussion of the future of immigration research in Canada (multidisciplinary perspectives and debates), presentations on new research completed by P2P members, and presentations and discussions on challenges and opportunities facing P2P stakeholders.

6 LOCAL IMMIGRATION PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITY UPDATES: November 16, 2015 SUB-COUNCILS Settlement Sub-Council: During the reporting period no meetings were scheduled. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday November 26, Economic Integration Sub-Council: During the reporting period the sub-council met once on November 10, Catherine Muenker provided a brief presentation on the highlights of the Immigrant Entrepreneurship Initiative and a brief tie in the Entrepreneurship study was discussed. The bulk of the meeting was spent reviewing the final Employment Research project analysis (as delivered by County of Simcoe, Research Analysist) which at this time excluded data surrounding the immigrant focus groups. Brief discussion occurred surrounding additional immigrant focus groups to take place in early 2016, which will hopefully allow for a more geographical representation of the data. WORKING GROUPS Simcoe County Newcomer Recognition Awards (SCNRA): The 3 rd annual Newcomer Recognition Awards took place October 22, 2015 at Liberty North in Barrie. The event was attended to by 104 award winners + guests, community service providers, government, and county officials. The 2015 awards were sponsored by Barrie Public Library, City of Barrie, Simcoe Muskoka Workforce Development Board, Liberty North, CTV News, County of Simcoe Economic Development, and with special thanks to Social Enterprise Canada. A total of 7 individuals received awards in seven different categories. Cultural Competency: During the reporting period no meetings were scheduled. A meeting will be scheduled in early Page 1 of 1

7 LIP Implementation Survey Date Prepared: October 20th, 2015 Prepared by: Asa Nishimura and Lynn Wright

8 Agenda Purpose Methodology Findings Conclusion Recommendations

9 Purpose Purpose To identify collective elements of support and/or barriers towards Partnership Council member's role as ambassadors of the Community Settlement Strategy. Information collected will guide the Partnership Council in collective action towards: Developmental opportunities Barriers to implementation Measuring stakeholder change

10 Methodology Online survey Collected both qualitative and quantitative data The survey was deployed from September 23 th to October 11 th The survey was sent out to 39 Partnership Council members There were a total of 31 respondents (Response rate: 79%) 45% of respondents (14 respondents) answered all questions in the survey Survey dropout rates: 55% in total Q3: Who are the stakeholders that you represent? Dropout rate: 23% (n=7) Q5: How do you engage in Readiness activities? Dropout rate: 32% (n=10)

11 Respondent Profile 58% of respondent s agency/organizations deliver their service to all of Simcoe County 32% agency/organizations provide their services to Barrie and/or surrounding area Please identify your agency/organizations service delivery area? All of Simcoe County Barrie and/or Surrounding area Midland/Penetanguishene and/or Surrounding area 10% 32% 58% Other including: All over Canada Innisfil Muskoka etc. Bradford and/or Surrounding area 10% Orillia and/or Surrounding area 6% Collingwood/Wasaga Beach and/or Surrounding area 6% Alliston and/or Surrounding area 6% Other (please specify) 29% n=31 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% * Please note percentages may not add to 100% as respondents could select more than one location

12 Respondent Profile 32% respondents mention that they represent the Education sector Followed by Government (26%) and Private sector (23%) What sector do you represent? Education 32% Government 26% Private Sector Human Services Employment Arts and Culture 10% 16% 16% 23% Other including: Library Spanish church Faith based organization etc. Law Enforcement 10% Health 10% Media Other (please specify) 3% n=31 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% * Please note percentages may not add to 100% as respondents could select more than one sector 16%

13 Findings

14 Stakeholders Partnership Council members represent different stakeholders* depending on the organizations they represent The greatest number of stakeholders represented are social service agencies and organizations with 38%, followed by business/corporations, government, general public, and education institutions * Please note: A stakeholder is defined as a person, group or organization that has interest or concern in an organization. Who are the stakeholders that you represent? Social Service Agencies and Organizations Businesses/Corporations Government General Public Educational Institutions Youth Volunteers Agencies that Serve Immigrants and/or Refugees Families Employment Service Providers Community Health Centres Religious/Faith--Based Groups or Organizations Employers Senior Citizens Service and/or Volunteer organizations Customers Hospitals Public Library Branches Childcare Centres Senior Citizen Organizations Media Other (please specify) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% n=24 *Please note percentages may not add to 100% as respondents could select more than one stakeholder 4% 4% 4% 4% 8% 13% 13% 13% 13% 13% 17% 21% 21% 21% 25% 25% 29% 33% 33% 33% 33% Adult, Youth and Children learners 38%

15 Sphere of Influence The number of stakeholders Partnership Council members have the ability to influence ranges from 1 to 50,000 67% respondents indicated that the number of stakeholders they can influence is less than % respondents believed they have the ability to influence over 500 stakeholders 17% respondents are not sure of the number of stakeholders they can influence Please indicate the number of stakeholders you have the ability to influence? % n=24 Over % Not Sure 17% %

16 Community Settlement Strategy Themes The four themes in the community Settlement Strategy, Readiness, Opportunity, Celebrate, and Inspire inform the recommendations to improve outcomes for newcomers in Simcoe County The four settlement themes include activities/initiatives that Readiness: Strengthen basic public services to promote retention Opportunity: Provide employment and business opportunities Celebrate: Supportive environment reflected through celebration of diversity Inspire : Empower newcomers to contribute to local leadership capacity The following question revealed Partnership Council members current engagement in activities under each settlement theme

17 Readiness 57% of respondents provide resources/services for immigrants: Newcomer resource guide Welcome Centre Cultural competency training 14% of respondents mentioned diverse community members are engaged in social planning Resources are mainly related to education, health, language, and settlement: Coordinating with new immigrant families and schools; directing the families to the appropriate school and start date The goal is to establish guidelines to work better with immigrant students who attend our schools and also to connect with their family to integrate them with their child's day to day school activities Counseling services about health information, and providing mental health services for newcomers Offering Language Training Cultural activities Providing housing/settlement information

18 From Thought to Action Our Community Snapshot Immigration Portal, Fall 2012 Newcomer Settlement Services Brochure Employment Sector C.C. Training, June 2013 C.C. Learning Symposium: Growing Together, Learning Together, March 2014 Children s Services C.C. Training, Fall 2014 LIPs Across Ontario CK: Promote Diversity training with school staff L&G: Development of Interpreter database L&G: Annual Immigration Forum LMS: Survey analyze value of professional interpretation (health) Hamilton: Proposal for reduced fares for ELL Halton: Newcomer Youth Project Hamilton: Embracing Cultural Competency for Better Health Outcomes, 2 nd annual, 2014 LMS: Welcoming All Voices Parental engagement in the school system Sudbury: One Stop referral centre study GE: Established local protocol for emergency health with newcomers during OHIP 3-month waiting period

19 Opportunity 36% of respondents provide immigrants with some training: Language training The classes are built on the premise that students may secure a better future and open the door to new opportunities and better employment Help obtain skills needed to fit in the Canadian workforce 36% of respondents hire immigrants: Hire new immigrants and navigate their first job Hire immigrants at various positions in our schools to support economic integration 21% of respondents offer mentoring activities: Mentor employees from a variety of backgrounds

20 From Thought to Action Our Community Snapshot Hiring Immigrants Makes Good Business Sen$e, SMWDB, 2012 Employer Networking Events, 2014, 2015 Employer Meeting, SMWDB, 2014 Development of new employer on-line content hireimmigrants.simcoe.ca, 2014 Immigrant Entrepreneur Initiative, 2015 LIPs Across Ontario Halton: E-mentoring program Hamilton: Immigrant Mentoring Partnership Program LMS: IEC Mentorship Program Hamilton: Pathways to Employment: Strengthening the Immigrant Connection Durham: Best Practice toolkit & resources for attracting and retaining newcomers for employers GW: Several networking events with local employers for immigrants

21 Celebrate 50% of respondents are engaged in cultural activities: Provide international language program giving an opportunity for children to preserve cultural heritage Support events promoting cultural diversity Develop and partake in multicultural events Other engagements: Support newcomers awards Have international day Prepare a website for immigrants, which will include messages of celebration

22 From Thought to Action Our Community Snapshot Home Away From Home, Rogers TV CTV2 News Support for Newcomer Recognition Awards Social Media Campaign Ladies, Lunch, Laugh & Learn Global Kitchen LIPs Across Ontario L & G: Greater Connections: monthly international and cultural events L & G: Awareness Campaign benefits of immigration and cultural diversity LMS: Partnership with Rogers TV, 6- shows to profile immigrants and increase awareness

23 Inspire 36% of respondents offer opportunities for cultural knowledge exchange: Include immigrants in committees to integrate their culture in the activities Provide the opportunity for people to instruct in their first language and become leader's in their communities 21% of respondents offer volunteer/ mentor opportunities: Have volunteers working with second language students Increase opportunities for mentorship and volunteerism promoting involvement in community and government initiatives Other approaches: Includes patients/clients of the organization and community members that reflect the diversity of communities

24 From Thought to Action Our Community Snapshot Newcomer Recognition Awards, 2013, 2014, 2015 LIPs Across Ontario LMS: A Newcomer s Story at the Trillium Art Gallery LMS: I AM LONDON, 2013 Social Media Campaign Durham: Best Practices resource related to increased diversity at leadership levels

25 Stakeholder Engagement 71% of respondents answered that providing resources would be the best mechanism to engage their stakeholders in the work of the Local Immigration Partnership 64% of respondents indicated that providing presentations would encourage their stakeholders How would it be best to engage your stakeholders in the work of the Local Immigration Partnership? Resources 71% Presentations 64% Inviting of Stakeholders/Partners to Key Events Immigration Portal Link and Profile on Corporate Websites 57% 57% Not Sure 14% Other (please specify) 7% n=14 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% * Please note percentages may not add to 100% as respondents could select more than one method of engagement

26 Barriers 64% of respondents indicated that language barriers and increased staff awareness of immigrants needs should be addressed in order to further the work of the community settlement strategy Other major barriers included: Budget Increased understanding of target group In order to implement change or further the work of the Community Settlement Strategy, what barriers need to be addressed? Language Barriers Increased Staff Awareness of Immigrant Needs Budget Increased Understanding of Target Group Staffing Resources Partnerships Lack of Community Champions Attitudinal - Resistance to Change Not Sure Structural Barriers Other (please specify) Staffing resources 7% 7% 14% 36% 36% 36% 43% 43% 57% 64% 64% 0% 50% 100% n=14 *Please note percentages may not add to 100% as respondents could select more than one barrier

27 Meetings Immigrants needs are not regularly discussed with stakeholders at meetings: 57% of respondents do not discuss immigrants needs regularly 29% of respondents mentioned that they discuss immigrant needs regularly at meetings with stakeholders Are immigrant needs discussed regularly at meetings your attend with stakeholders? Not Sure 14% Yes 29% Customers, Government officials, Community Partners, Staff, Board of Directors discuss immigrant needs at the meeting n=14 No 57%

28 Meetings Stakeholders are interested in regular updates surrounding immigrant s needs/topics: 50% of respondents mentioned there would be interest amongst their stakeholders to have regular updates about immigrant s needs/topics Would there be interest amongst your stakeholders to have regular updates surrounding immigrant's needs/topics? Not Sure 43% Yes 50% n=14 No 7%

29 Meetings 64% of respondents indicated that they discuss immigrant needs at their own place with staff and/or senior management Are immigrant needs discussed at your own place of employment with staff and/or senior management? Not Sure 21% 33% of them mentioned having the discussion regularly 22% of them having the discussion a few times per year No 14% Yes 64% n=14

30 Measurable Change The level of engagement for supporting immigrants would best evaluate change in LIP ambassadors role 36% of respondents suggest evaluating change from the perspective of program/services for immigrants such as: The number of activities/services to support immigrants The number of resources disseminated The number of staff in-services or workshops provided Other suggested indicators include: The number of business who have hired immigrants for the first time The level of understanding of immigrants needs such as: Mental health needs Employment Settlement

31 Conclusion Major stakeholders are social service agencies and organizations, and the number of stakeholders in the members sphere of influence is less than 100 Immigrants needs are not regularly discussed with stakeholders. They are discussed with staff and/or senior management regularly or occasionally at their workplace Indicators measuring the level of engagement in immigrant supports would help evaluate change in LIP ambassadors role

32 Recommendations Provide resources and/or presentations to engage stakeholders in the work of the Local Immigration Partnership Provide stakeholders with regular updates surrounding immigrant s needs/topics Investigate positive approaches to anticipated barriers, language barriers and increased staff awareness of immigrants needs Evaluate change in their role as a LIP ambassador from the perspective of the level of engagement for supporting immigrants such as: The number of activities/services to support immigrants The number of resources disseminated