London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Justice & Protection Services Sub-council

Transcription

1 London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Justice & Protection Services Sub-council May 11, :00 3:00 pm. Kinsmen Recreation Centre, 20 Granville St. AGENDA 1. Welcome & Introductions 2. Approval of March 22, 2011Meeting Minutes 3. Review of Implementation Plan 4. Update on London Police Services Workshops 5. Input on Ontario Trillium Foundation Proposal 6. Wrap up and next meetings Documents for the meeting: Agenda/March 22, 2011 minutes Implementation Plan Funded by: Co-led by:

2 Justice & Protection Services Sub-council London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Wednesday, May 11, 2011 Present: David Lazenby, Zan Saleemi, Jenny Lim, Neena Sharma-Kendrick, Ahmed Yahya Ali, Jessica Justrabo, Trish Taft, Melikie Joseph and Nina Hamou Regrets: Marcel Marcellin, Doreen Hodgkinson, Lori Cunningham, Kelly Gregory and Alice Lewis Welcome & Introduction Yahya introduced himself as Chair and thanked new members for attending. The group introduced themselves. Nina shared that this will be her last meeting as she will no longer be the Project Assistant for the LMLIP. Huda Hussein, Project Coordinator, will attend the meetings and support the Sub-council. Approval of Meeting Minutes Minutes of March 22, 2011 were approved. Review of Implementation Plan The group reviewed the priorities they set up to achieve. Nina shared that the Ontario Trillium Foundation Proposal Sub-committee comprised of Susan Dill, Lori Cunningham and Dharshi Lacey met to work on the application. As a result of this meeting, two job descriptions and a collaborative agreement were created. The group will further meet to work on budget. Update on London Police Services Workshops Marcel was unable to attend the meeting due to an urgent matter. Nina provided an update on his behalf. The Justice & Protection Services Sub-council, through the London Police Services will collaborate with the Health & Wellbeing Sub-council to provide capacity training. Marcel will connect with the Health & Wellbeing Sub-council which is collecting capacity training resources. The training could be delivered in one day- 3 sessions- to show what it should look in the morning session, and then in the afternoon repeat the same sessions with in depth teaching tips and practice. A maximum of 20 people will participate, so we will have to identify the main services providers who will have the broadest contact with immigrants. Workshop topics could include: Cultural Competence in Service 1 hour The New Immigrant Experience 1 hour Embracing an Inclusive Workplace 1 hour Input on Ontario Trillium Foundation Proposal The job description for the Community Education and Project Coordinator were shared with the group. The proposed project name is: Immigrant Community Capacity and Engagement (ICCE). 1

3 The John Howard Society will lead the project but the sub-committee is looking at other space options which could include use of library space for workshops. The group felt that the hiring process should include a panel of participating agencies. ACTION: A draft of the project will be sent to the group. The collaborative agreement was shared. The collaborative agreement will include the list of agencies, the purpose and the role of the collaborative partner. The collaborative agreement must also be signed by each agency. Lori Cunningham met with Anna Hendrikx of Across Languages to discuss their potential role. The nature of the project would require translation of material and interpretation of workshops. The letter of support should include a line that outlines that the group understands the scope and capacity of the project and will take responsibility of sustainability in the future. The letter should also include what the agency can provide such as, space, orientation to staff, participating in the delivery of community education programs. ACTION: A draft letter of support and collaborative agreement will be shared with the Subcouncil. Wrap up and next meeting Next meeting was scheduled for June 8, 1:00-3:00 pm at Kinsmen Recreation Centre. This date is tentative and will be confirmed with Huda Hussein. Regrets to hhussein@uwlondon.on.ca 2

4 London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Justice & Protection Services Sub-council June 9, :00 3:00 pm. Kinsmen Recreation Centre, Room 4 20 Granville St. AGENDA 1. Welcome & Introductions 2. Approval of May 11, 2011Meeting Minutes 3. Review Ontario Trillium Foundation Proposal 4. Wrap up and next meetings Suggested meeting dates/times: 1. Third Thursday of the month (September, November, January and March) p.m. 2. Fourth Thursday of the month (September, November, January and March) 3-5 p.m. Funded by: Co-led by:

5 London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Justice & Protection Services Sub-council Thursday June 9, 2011(1-3 P.M.) Location: Kinsmen Recreation Centre, Room 4 Present: Neena Sharma-Kendrick, Doreen Hodgkinson, Ahmed Yahya Ali, Jessica Justrabo Marcel Marcellin, Susan Dill and Huda Hussein Regrets: David Lazenby, Jenny Lim, Trish Taft, Melikie Joseph, Lori Cunningham, Kelly Gregory and Alice Lewis Welcome & Introductions Yahya welcomed the group and thanked them for attending this special meeting which will focus on reviewing the application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation Application. He thanked Susan Dill for her role in drafting the application. Huda introduced herself as the LMLIP Coordinator and that she will support the work of this council as necessary. Approval of May 11, 2011Meeting Minutes Minutes reviewed and approved Review of Ontario Trillium Foundation Proposal Members reviewed the draft application circulated by Susan. Susan was thanked for taking the time and drafting the application on behalf of the collaborative. Susan provided a brief description of the proposed project. Workshops will be developed; two project staff on board to develop materials for a curriculum of workshops specific to the justice and protection services, training for the system navigators. Training will also include staff of the justice and protection services. The project staff report back to the Advisory Committee (Collaborative Members??) liaise with the justice and protection services be project staff After a quick review of the draft application the following was noted: - LMLIP is not an organization, it is a planning body as such it cannot be the applying body - This application came out of the work of this sub-council - The name of the project needs to be clear and the terms used throughout the proposal need to be consistent - LMLIP deliverables are not those of the proposed project and need to be removed - John Howard Society (JHS) needs to fill in their organization s information - Support letters were requested and two were received from Life Resource Centre and the Somali Association - Need to include cost of the DVD - Looking at the amount of work on this proposal, we will need to submit a three year funding application instead of two years - Need to include compensation for the immigrant volunteer time in the budget - Advisory group will be committed to the project s oversight and JHS will

6 ACTION: Huda to drop the draft copy to JHS for Lori s input Other Yahya recommended that the group reaches out to immigrant communities to learn from them their concerns regarding the justice and protection services. It was noted that this activity will be part of the proposal underway. Marcel informed group that the brochure which is part of the Newcomer Outreach material is being printed and copies will be available for distribution. He also noted that the lesson plans are being developed by the Thames Valley District School Board. Funds to develop the DVD piece of the material are not available and options are being explored. Police and Networking for an Inclusive Committee (NIC): Marcel reported that he met with the Chair of the NIC to discuss community capacity workshops that both the Police and the NIC developed and provide in the community. For example: the Linking Cultures course that is being offered by NIC in partnership with Fanshawe College. The two discussed how the content of these workshops may be modified to enable them to offer them as a one day crass course to settlement workers and front line staff to assist them in their work. Discussion will continue and Subcouncil will be updated. Neena informed that diversity training is part of her work mandate. Susan shared some brochures developed by the Health Unit and Across Languages on understanding cultures for health professionals. Huda shared information on the booklet developed by NIC Linking Cultures First Steps for working with Newcomers and the two issue specific LMLIP brochures on Health and Settlement. Wrap up and next meetings Group will discuss the following strategy pertaining to the JPS in September To enhance community collaboration and inclusion of alternative solutions between service providers and across cultural groups, explore successes of partnership models such as the relationship between Changing Ways and Muslim Resource Centre, where discretion related to cultural implications is considered. It is the acknowledgement that one size does not fit all. It was noted that this topic was submitted as a research topic back in November to the Migration and Ethnic Relations program (UWO). ACTION: Jessica to send contact at Huron University College to Huda to check with the college if this topic may be of interest to students. Based on the responses received by Huda the following dates have been confirmed for our upcoming meetings with a change in the time: - Fourth Thursday of the month (i.e., Sept 22, November 24, 2011 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.)

7 - Fourth Thursday of the month (i.e., January 26, and March 22, 2012 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.) Yahya thanked members and encouraged them to continue to participate and mark their calendars for the upcoming meetings. Funded by: Co-led by:

8 London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Justice & Protection Services September 22, p.m. Kinsmen Recreation Centre AGENDA 1. Welcome & Introductions 2. Approval of June 9.11 Minutes 3. LMLIP Central Council Update 4. Review Implementation Plan Moving forward 5. Reports from Implementation Plan Work Groups 6. Other Business 7. Next Meetings: November 24, 2011 January 26, 2012 March 22, 2012 All meetings will take place from 2-4 p.m. and will be held at Kinsmen Recreation Centre

9 London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Justice & Protection Services Sub-council Thursday September 22, 2011(2-4 P.M.) Location: Kinsmen Recreation Centre, Room 4 Present: Neena Sharma-Kendrick, Doreen Hodgkinson, Ahmed Yahya Ali, Trish Taft, Susan Dill, Tracey Mcleish, Rick Jefferson, Lori Cunningham and Huda Hussein Regrets: Marcel Marcellin, Jessica Justrabo Welcome & Introductions Yahya welcomed the group and thanked them for their continued support. Approval of June 9, 2011Meeting Minutes Minutes from June were reviewed and approved LMLIP Central Council Update Chair requested Huda to give an update. Huda informed group that council is taking a strategic undertaking looking at the LMLIP governance issues and supporting infrastructure. Consultant began working in June to look at roles and responsibilities of members, clarify expectations, attendance, conflict of interest, terms of office, accountability and other issues related to governance. Council will hear from the Consultant on Monday September 26 and this Sub-council will be updated. Members shared their concerns on the following: - With such a structure in place, are we going to be told what to do? - What will the vice chair position entail? Do we need one? What other extra duties are expected of the vice chair? - What is our role as a Sub-council? Is this a planning table or an implementing table? There was a discussion around the vice chair and it was agreed that there needs to be a vice chair for consistency and structure. In response to a question on the role of this Sub-council, Huda noted that the role of every LMLIP Sub-council is to lead the implementation of its own recommendation, support progress within the area and report to Central Council and work actively to support the goals identified in the plan. Huda noted that this was outlined on Page 12 of the Community Immigrant Strategic Plan submitted to Citizenship and Immigration Canada in August Yahya ensured the group that he will further verify about the vice chair s role and the new structure and the impact on the members. Huda also noted that the new governance model will clarify the roles of chairs, vice chairs, members and staff and will be shared with the Sub-councils when completed.

10 Review of Implementation Plan 1. Adopt or create lesson plans to be used in ESL and LINC classes which discuss issues related to the Criminal Justice System. Huda briefed the group of the work that has been done and shared the brochures developed by the London Police as part of the Newcomer Outreach materials. TVDSB is working on the lesson plans and the OTF application included the cost of the DVD. 2. Improve awareness of legal rights and responsibilities in Canada through ongoing outreach to immigrants and applying culturally sound approaches. This recommendation was taken in an application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Lori and Susan reported on the application. Over the summer a number 1 of agencies with John Howard Society (JHS) being the lead, worked hard on an application to advance this priority. Lori reported that given the nature of the project, OTF suggested that we approach other funders such as the Ministry of Attorney General and Citizenship and Immigration Canada and get in writing their responses. We can still go back to OTF in November 2011 for reconsideration if other funders will not support our application. It was noted that funding can be obtained from the National Crime and Prevention Centre. Lori mentioned that JHS cannot be the lead agency to apply from this centre. The group will have to find another lead. Given that the application is already in place, it was suggested to explore the suggested routes. Lori suggested that a couple of us approach these ministries to check for possible funding. Action: Susan, Lori and Huda volunteered to check with the ministries. Lori noted that Dharshi volunteered to join this group. The group thanked Lori and Susan for their hard work on the OTF application over the summer. 3. Continue to explore successes of partnership models such as the relationship between Changing Ways and Muslim Resource Centre, where discretion related to cultural implications is considered It was noted that early on the group decided to take this recommendation as a research topic for students at the UWO Department of Migration & Ethnic Relations. The group then discussed existing collaborations such as the Children s Aids Society and the Muslim Resource Centre. Group also noted that other successful collaborations 1 London Intercommunity Health Centre, Across Languages, Women Community House, LMLIP Staff

11 need to be explored such as the one that operates from Ottawa. It was also noted that we need to be cautious to what end are we exploring such collaborations. Other business: Susan mentioned that Carol Stewart who is working on the LMLIP Governance Model has contacted her for an interview/input. Susan wanted to check with the group about the appropriateness of the request before she responds to Carol. Yahya noted that over the summer Carol interviewed Central Council members, Co-chairs and project staff to get feedback on what has been working well, what needs to be changed, roles and responsibilities among other issues related to the infrastructure of the LMLIP. It was noted that Carol also contacted a number of Sub-council members for their input. It was an appropriate request and Susan s input if she decides to be interviewed will add value to the model. Wrap up: Susan thanked the group and requested that they attend our next meetings. Next Meetings: November 24, 2011 January 26, 2012 March 22, 2012 Please note that all meetings will take place from 2-4 at the Kinsmen Recreation Centre

12 London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Agenda Sub-council: Justice & Protection Sub-council Date and Time: Nov 17, 2011 (2-4 p.m.) Meeting Location: Kinsmen Recreation Centre Item Description 1. Chair s Opening Remarks 2. Adoption of Previous Minutes 3. Additions to Agenda 4. Updates and Actions from Previous Business 5. New Business 6. Chair s Closing Summary and Review of Action Items. 7. Adjourn 8. Next Meetings Location and Date 1

13 London and Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Minutes Sub-council: Justice & Protection Services Meeting Location: Kinsmen Recreation Centre, 20 Granville Street Date and Time: November 24, 2011(2-4 p.m.) Present: Ahmed Yahya, Rick Jefferson, Trish Taft, Jessica Justrabo, Neena Sharmakendrick, Lori Cunningham, Craig Harper, Huda Hussein Regrets: Absent: Item Description Information, Update, Action, Lead and Due Date 1. Chair s Opening Remarks Yahya welcomed group and thanked them for their contributions 2. Adoption of Previous Minutes September 14, 2011 Minutes reviewed. Motion to approve Minutes as circulated was made by Lori, seconded by Neena approved 3. Additions to Agenda Yahya asked group if there is any agenda item they would like to bring forward. Legal representation and information on fire safety education were added 4. Updates and Actions from Previous Business 1

14 London and Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Central Council: Yahya shared the amended pieces of the new Terms of Reference for LMLIP which affirmed the roles & responsibilities, time commitment. Council is reviewing the new governance structure on Monday Nov 28 for the final time. The group will receive a copy of the amended Terms of Reference once approved in its entirety. New Terms of Reference will be shared with the group in the New Year OTF Application Lori shared with the group that with she and Huda have explored a number of suggested venues to obtain the necessary funding. Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, Ministry of the Attorney General and the Parole Office in London were all contacted. As per the recommendations of OTF, the application was resubmitted on November 1, 2011 with all the notes collected from other funders. Newcomer Outreach Material It was noted that brochures have been developed by the London Police but there is no update from the Thames Valley District School Board on the lesson plans. Exploring successful partnerships and adopt them: A number of successful partnerships were discussed. The partnership between the London Muslim Mosque and the Children s Aid society has proven successful. Craig noted that CAS did not have a single Muslim child care for the last two years. Trish noted another successful partnership in Ottawa between the Catholic Immigrant centre and the Police which was successful as one of the outcomes was Group will be notified status of application when information is received from OTF Huda to enquire from Sheila Carson with regard to an update on the lesson plans Group decided to create opportunities for dialogue between service providers at this table and the ethnocultural. Invite five to six members for different communities to the January meeting 2

15 London and Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership having less people in jails and more understanding of cultural awareness. 5. New Business Group noted that an invitation to be sent to individuals from the legal sector such as Neighbourhood Legal Services and the legal services at the University of Western Ontario Fire department: Need to approach ethnic groups in London and present fire safety issues given the time of the year. Huda to send to connect with Neighbourhood Legal Services and UWO Huda to send a note to the ethno-cultural communities to inform about this free educational service 6. Chairpersons Closing Summary and Review of Action Items. Yahya thanked the group and noted that an invitation will be sent to a number of immigrant communities to attend our January meeting. He also wished everyone happy holidays. 7. Adjourn Meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m. 8. Next Meeting Location and Date January 26, 2012 (2-4 p.m.) at Kinsmen Recreation Centre 3

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