Newcomer families experience a wide variety of outcomes when they arrive in Canada:

• Some begin working straight away. Others struggle to find employment.

• Some families connect with their language community. Others live in towns where they are the only ones who speak their language.

• Some families immediately begin participating in the community. Others are more tentative to jump in, even nervous.

The one thing virtually all newcomer families have in common?

Their children attend Canadian schools.

Understanding school as the core of the community, and a safe place for families to learn together, the Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program supports children and families alike. SWIS workers have a goal of collaboratively supporting the school community in helping newcomers succeed.

From the connection to the school community, parents can learn about how to access healthcare or food support; find community connections and opportunities for adult learning; and gain the skills they need to support their own children's education.

SWIS is built on a powerful idea: the best way to help newcomer families is to help their children thrive in Canadian schools.

Additionally, SWIS workers are available to support intercultural competency for school staff, providing customized training about supporting newcomers. We can provide training about the immigration system, language acquisition, post-arrival trauma, or any other desired area. Please reach out to your local SWIS worker on the Who We Are page for more information.

Funded by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) is a program operated by settlement agencies throughout Canada in partnership with school divisions. Action for Healthy Communities is an authorized SWIS provider.

SWIS is not strictly an academic program, although SWIS workers can help students with language acquisition and with other school needs.

SWIS workers support families by:

• Creating opportunities for youth to become engaged and confident in their new learning environment and community, and supporting them throughout their adjustment and transition period.

• Providing newcomers with important information on both school expectations, like Parent-Teacher nights, academic integrity, attendance, and school culture (classes, extracurriculars, sports, etc.);

• Providing newcomers with important information about community services, like the library, food banks, community leagues;

• Conducting orientation workshops on school and various settlement topics in Canada, like winter safety, applying for citizenship, understanding colleges and universities, Canadian culture and holidays;

• Providing referrals for support when needed, like social workers;

• Supporting families with mental health and emotional well-being;

• Assisting with filling out paperwork needed to receive services, like Alberta Health cards, Permanent Residency applications, citizenship applications, Income Supports and Alberta Works, tax returns, etc.;