In this section, you can access networks, toolkits, and organizations with promising practices to help facilitate daily encounters with immigrants and refugees. Resources focus on providing trauma-informed care, essential communication skills and client support.

Resources

• Best practices in settlement services - Government of Canada
  This website showcases best practices in settlement services to inform organizations, governments and individuals working with newcomers about programs taking place across Canada and around the world. It also aims to promote innovative ways to assist immigrants in their integration into their new communities.
• Trauma Toolkit
  This toolkit outlines recommended practices that will help service providers and organizations increase their capacity to deliver trauma-informed services.
• The Forensic Mental Health System in Ontario: An information guide
  This resource provides detailed information about the forensic mental health system in Ontario, the process and how to access help for clients.
• Community mentoring programs
  Cultural Bridging fosters cross-cultural awareness between newcomers and the local host community, bringing together diverse cultural groups to share and learn from each other.
   

Promising Practices

• Community Airport Newcomers Network
  This network offers individualized reception, orientation, information, and referrals for immigrants. It also offers specialized services as needed for government-assisted and privately sponsored refugees. This one-time service helps newcomers take the first steps in settling in Canada by providing them with information and referrals to other organizations.
• First Steps Early Years Refugee Settlement Program
  This program serves newly-arrived refugee children, ages birth to five, along with their caregivers in the Lower Mainland area of BC. The program aims to reduce the impact of trauma on the development of children, ease integration and provide parenting information in the Canadian context.
• The Gateway Project
  This is a volunteer program that trains medical students in cross-cultural medicine by engaging them in community action. The program also focuses on improving access to health care for refugees arriving in Newfoundland.
• Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture (VAST)
  VAST provides services such as a trauma counselling, and psychosocial education to help refugees in their settlement process. VAST also provides a psychosocial support group for refugees working through their refugee claims. Through a partnership, it also provides an integrated approach to addressing refugee clients’ mental health and settlement needs during their first few months in Canada.
• Madison Community Services
  Madison Community Services offers a range of community-based, holistic services through its Recovery during Immigration and Settlement (RISE) program. The program addresses the mental health and settlement challenges of immigrants and refugees who experience substantial stress during their settlement process.