1. Catholic Social Services Resettlement Assistance Program
Trends in Refugee Settlement in Alberta
2017 Alberta Integration Summit
October 30, 2017, Calgary, Alberta
Astrid Velasquez

2. Overview of CSS RAP services in Edmonton and Red Deer Case management
Newcomer Orientation
Language/Vocational Assessment/Educational Counselling (LARCC)
Cultural Links/Community Connections
Ongoing Settlement Program (OSP)
English conversation circles (LACE)
Summer and winter programing

3. Number of GARs Served (destined to Edmonton)
April 1, March 31, 2016:
1 447 clients
April 1, March 31, 2017:
607 clients
April 1, September 30, 2017:
313 clients

4. Secondary GAR Migrants
April 1, March 31, 2016:
161 clients
April 1, March 31, 2017:
122 clients
April 1, 2017-September 30, 2017:
60 clients

5. Top Source Countries April 1, 2015 - March 31, 2016
Syria
Iraq
Somalia
April 1, March 31, 2017
Congo

6. Top Source Countries April 1, 2017 - September 30, 2017
Syria
Congo
Somalia
Syrian arrivals from December 1, 2015 – September 30, 2017
1492

7. Selected GAR Demographics April 01, 2016 – March 31, 2017
Average LINC level:
CLB 1
Average family size:
2015: singles 73
2016: F.7
2017: singles + F.4
Common Occupation (before arrival):
Syrian Refugees:
Labourers
Tailors
Chefs
Other refugees:
Farmers
Casual employment
Homemakers

8. Current Trends Congolese GARs: Syrian GARs: Somali GARs:
Low level of health literacy and life skills
Syrian GARs:
Stigma surrounding mental health
Somali GARs:
Many large, single parent families

9. Current Trends Use of technology
Lack of language training for literacy clients
Long wait lists for CLB 5 and 6
Request for employment support programs for clients to gain Canadian experience
Need for interpretation for medical appointments
Mental health needs
Complex, long term medical needs that require intensive, continuing follow-ups (beyond 6-week RAP services)
LINC school in Edmonton don’t have enough spaces

10. Challenges High expectations vs. Equity of service
Pre-arrival orientation for GARs
General health care vs. Refugee health
Lack of dedicated refugee health clinic in Edmonton
Long distance travel for medical services from Red Deer
Many complicated pregnancies
Case management vs. Ongoing services
Challenges balancing emergent needs

11. Initiatives and Innovations
Youth Orientation
(ages 12-24) first language by Youth Counsellors to address unique challenges faced by youth and young adults.
Child-minding
Currently our Agency funding allows us to have childminders so parents may attend and focus during Orientation sessions.
Cross-Cultural Family Counselling
Psychologists on staff to address emergent and ongoing mental health concerns and serve as resources for Settlement Counsellors.

12. Successes
Staff are gaining increased knowledge to enhance our services for LGBTQ refugees.
Many Syrian GARs have started businesses in their community. The businesses often focus on ethno-cultural services with great success.
Gratitude from Congolese GARs--grateful for the services and supports they are receiving from IRCC, CSS and community.
The Syrian crisis brought together local service providers. We created and maintained strong partnerships with: EPS, AHS, EPSB, EMCN, EPL, Homeward Trust, Boys and Girls Clubs of Edmonton, MCHB and others!