In the Field Newsletter Volume 5

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OCASI In the Field
Volume 5
Message from the Executive Director

Debbie DouglasAll indications are that we are entering a period of significant rearrangement in our sector. The widespread access to and use of information technology, the sharp increase in education levels of immigrants and first generation Canadians, the changed labour market and the successes we have had in making public institutions more responsive to an ethno-racial, linguistic and Faith plurality, all contribute to this changed environment. The implications are serious.

Read more of Debbie's observations on change happening in the sector.

OCASI Member Feature

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Transitional Housing Program

The Transitional Housing for Newcomers to Halton - program funded by the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI) and The Region of Halton Assisted Housing Program introduces a temporary housing option for eligible newcomers (Refugees and Immigrants) in the community.

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OCASI Happenings

OCASI's New Youth & Citizenship Project

OCASI is excited to announce its newest national online project - Youth & Citizenship.
This project will help young newcomers recognize the benefit of full Canadian citizenship and prepare them to become Canadian citizens through videos, articles, infographics, interactive games and quizzes.

Partners and advisory committee members are needed, so please contact us if you are interested in participating in the Youth & Citizenship project.  

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United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child Fall 2012 - Submitted by OCASI

In July of 2012, OCASI was invited by the Committee for the Rights of the Child, an independent body which monitors the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to submit a shadow report on the stateof children's rights in Canada. This report was presented in Geneva, Switzerland in the Fall of 2012.

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Accessibility Training and the Positive Space Initiative in London

On October 18th-19th 2012 OCASI brought together the Accessibility Training and the Positive Space Initiative in London, ON for a two day conference to discuss issues facing newcomers living with disabilities who also identify as being a member of the LGBTQ community.

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Making Ontario Home (MOH) Research - Key Finding

Periodically over the coming months we will bring you specific findings from the MOH study. Information from the study can help plan programs and provide supporting data for funding applications.

7) Those with higher levels of education were just as likely to use settlement and integration services

There were no significant differences in the likelihood to use employment, language or general settlement and integration services based on educational levels. However, those with higher levels of education were more likely to access employment and skills training programs and services in their first year of arrival. For more Key Findings, please go to pages 8 and 9 of the report.

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Sector Happenings

Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) holds its Fall Consultation in Toronto from 29 November to 1 December 2012

Attend the Consultation to find out about the major changes for refugees and immigrants, and what they mean for
refugee and immigrant families and those who work with them.

Find out more.

The CCR is also hosting a National Forum on Trafficking on Wednesday, November 28 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (on the day before the Fall Consultation).

The Forum gives non-governmental organizations working on trafficking issues in Canada opportunity to identify policy priorities to protect trafficked persons, raise awareness about trafficking issues in Canada, and exchange information and service strategies.

For more information
about the Forum visit the Forum homepage
.

Shaping the Future: Canada's Rapidly Changing Immigration Policies

Canadians take pride in this country's system of universal health care. But is it really as universal as we assume? If you're a new immigrant or a refugee, the answer is no.  That's the troubling message of Your Money Or Your Life, a new iChannel documentary that investigates the suffering newcomers to Canada face when they try to access the country's health system.

Your Money Or Your Life airs on Friday November 9 , 2012 at 9 pm and Midnight ET on iChannel or check out a clip on YouTube.

Migrant Worker Health Project

Drawing on a decade of research, clinical and legal encounters with migrant workers, the aim of the Migrant Worker Health Project is to provide evidence-based educational initiatives that describe these barriers to healthcare and service providers, and facilitate collaborative identification of strategies to increase workers' access to healthcare services and workers' compensation, or WSIB.

Read the full report.