National Initiatives

National Settlement Service and Standards Framework

Discussion paper developed for
National Settlement Conference II
Calgary – October 2-5, 2003

Prepared for:
National VSI Working Group IV on
Settlement Standards, Professionalization,
and Accountability

Prepared by:
Moy Wong Tam
Management Consultant

A collaboration of the Settlement Sector and Governments in association with the Voluntary Sector Initiative Project

The summaries of opinions and interpretations expressed in the VSI working group discussion papers are those of the working group members, either individually or collectively, and do not necessarily reflect the views of CIC, nor do we guarantee the accuracy of the information provided.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Executive Summary

Introduction

• Why Develop a Settlement Service and Standards Framework?
• Why Standards?
  • Background
• What do we Mean by Standards?
  • The benefits of standards
  • Limits to standards
• How was this Framework Developed?

Section 1: The Settlement Service Sector

• Values and Guiding Principles of the Settlement Service Sector
• What is the Settlement Service Sector?
  • The role of language and occupation-specific training in the sector
• Definition of Settlement Services

Section 2: Program Standards

• Using Results-Based Management
  • Program Logic Model
  • Key Results Terminology
• Measuring Settlement Outcomes
  • The importance of indicators
• Current Settlement Evaluation Initiatives
• Program Logic Model

Section 3: Agency Standards

• Vision, Mission, Goal and Objectives
• Competent Governance
• Competent Management
  • Financial Management
  • Human resource management
  • Risk management
  • Information management
• Appropriate Agency Structure and Processes

Section 4: Settlement Practitioners Core Competencies

• Minimum Core Competencies for a Settlement Counsellor
• Code of Ethics

Section 5: Settlement Service Sector Profile and Recognition

Conclusion

References

Bibliography

Appendix A: Model Documents

• A Model Job Description of a Settlement Counsellor
• A Model Performance Appraisal and Development Plan Document
• Employment Facilitator of Immigrant Clients - Competency Profile
• Competency Profile for Interpreters/Translators
• A Service Delivery Model
  • The Stages of Client Case Management
  • Assessment and Screening
  • Service Plan Development
  • Service Plan Delivery
  • Service Plan Monitoring
• A Model of Service Standards

Appendix B: List of Participating Agencies

Appendix C: Summary of Responses to Questionnaire on National Settlement Framework and Standards

• Definition of Settlement
• Definition of Settlement Services
• Indicators and Benchmarks of Settlement
• Agency Accountability Through Competent Board Governance
• Agency Accountability Through Competent Management
• Program Standards
• Core Competencies of Settlement Practitioners
• Increasing the Profile & Recognition of the Settlement Sector

Acknowledgements

The genuine support and assistance of Working Group IV members in providing practical assistance, as well as their prompt feedback and insight, were invaluable in the creation of this discussion document. In addition, the leadership exercised by the co-chairs made the process a smooth one. Special appreciation is also due to the management and staff of many settlement agencies, for taking the time to respond to the questionnaire, providing their insight, experience, documents, and opinions about various issues in settlement service provision and management. Their insight provides an important context—reflecting current reality—to the research.

Working Group IV membership

Co-Chairs

Sherman Chan (Canadian Council for Refugees, Montreal, Quebec and MOSAIC, Vancouver BC)

Bonny Wong-Fortin/Teresa Pires (Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Ottawa Ontario)

Members

Mario Allende (Government of Alberta, Edmonton AB)

Rob Boldt (Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services, Vancouver BC)

Francis Chan (SUCCESS, Vancouver BC)

Alice Colak (Community and Immigration Services, Edmonton AB)

Raj Hari (Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Calgary AB)

Paulina Maciulis (OCASI, Toronto ON)

Janet Mackey (Association for New Canadians, St. John’s NF)

Velinka Nevrencan (OCISO, Ottawa ON)

Angela Odei (YM-YWCA, Saint John NB)

Laura Peachy (Regina Open Door Society Inc., Regina SK)

Miranda Pinto (Toronto ON)

Liz Robinson (Manitoba Labour and Immigration, Winnipeg MB)

Saboo Siasang (Regina Open Door Society Inc., Regina SK)

Colette Snyder (Settlement and Port of Entry Directorate, Ontario Region)

Lidija Spasovska (Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society, Surrey BC)

Sangeeta Subramanian (South Asian Women’s Centre, Toronto ON)

Carlos Vialard (Welcome Place, Winnipeg MB)

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