CHEO Initiates National Navigator Network for Newcomers
From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Introduction to the National Initiative
On May 30, 2019, in Ottawa, Canada’s commitment to enhancing settlement services for newcomers takes a significant leap. Collaborating with various partners, Canada seeks to make these services more accessible and effective. The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) is at the forefront of this initiative, aiming to dismantle the barriers newcomers face.
CHEO’s Newcomer Navigator Program
CHEO’s latest project aims to address linguistic and cultural obstacles in healthcare access. The hospital’s Newcomer Navigator program offers essential support for navigating the pediatric healthcare system. Additionally, CHEO has developed a toolkit for organizations assisting newcomers in accessing healthcare.
Expanding Nationwide
CHEO plans to establish a National Newcomer Navigator Network, ensuring consistent service delivery across Canada. This network will support both children and adults in healthcare settings, as well as those in the settlement sector. The development involves outreach and needs assessments in collaboration with provinces.
The government has allocated a fund dedicated to service delivery improvements. This fund encourages innovation and experimentation to better serve newcomers and facilitate their integration into Canadian society.
Statements from Key Figures
“CHEO has a proven track record of providing high-quality settlement services for newcomers. Working with them on a National Newcomer Navigator Network is a new and better way to help newcomers succeed in their new country and benefits all Canadians.”
– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
“I’m very proud of the work CHEO does each and every day for local families. This project proves that when you dream big, wonderful things can happen. Having this project go national is vital to meeting the needs of newcomers and will lead to their success.”
– The Honourable David McGuinty, Member of Parliament for Ottawa South
“At CHEO, we know that every day matters for kids. They grow, learn and develop at an astonishing speed. Key to this is good health care. As families from Syria started arriving in Ottawa in 2015, CHEO acted quickly by developing the Newcomer Navigator Program to help these families access health care for their children and youth. Now, CHEO is proud to build on this work and lead a national effort to create a network across Canada and across the public sector services — showing our newest Canadians that they are truly welcome.”
– Alex Munter, CEO and President, CHEO
“At Saint Paul University, our vision is to drive transformative change and build a stronger, more inclusive and more humane society. This includes reaching out beyond our walls to look for new approaches to real issues and with CHEO as a partner we can make this happen for newcomers to Canada. We are looking forward to the role we will play in the development of a training program for the creation and implementation of a National Newcomer Navigator Network in hospital settings across Canada. I see a strong alignment to our research, our programs and our institutional mission.”
– Dr. Chantal Beauvais, Rector, Saint Paul University
Key Information
The Service Delivery Improvements (SDI) funding stream, part of the Settlement Program, offers nearly $150 million over five years. This allocation is part of the 2017 Immigration Levels Plan.
Following the 2017 expression of interest process, IRCC supports over 100 projects across Canada through SDI.
The SDI encompasses seven funding areas:
- Language acquisition
- Employment
- Youth supports
- Volunteer engagement and capacity-building in the settlement sector
- Pay for performance
- Newcomer well-being and support for vulnerable clients
- Research and analysis to drive innovation and enhance user experience
Contact Information
Contacts for media only
Mathieu Genest
Minister’s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
FAQs
What is the Newcomer Navigator Program?
The Newcomer Navigator Program by CHEO assists newcomers in understanding and accessing the pediatric healthcare system, aiming to break down linguistic and cultural barriers.
How is the National Newcomer Navigator Network being developed?
CHEO’s network is being developed through outreach and needs assessments with provinces to ensure a consistent and efficient service delivery model across Canada.
What is the role of the Service Delivery Improvements funding?
This funding supports innovative projects aimed at enhancing settlement services for newcomers, with a focus on integration and accessibility.
Who are the key partners in this initiative?
Key partners include CHEO, Saint Paul University, and various government and newcomer-serving organizations.
How can organizations utilize the toolkit developed by CHEO?
Organizations can use CHEO’s toolkit to assist their clients in accessing healthcare services, ensuring they overcome common barriers faced by newcomers.
For more information, please read our immigration guide.
