A delegation of Immigration Specialists from the Child Welfare Immigration Centre of Excellence (CWICE) attended the Annual Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) Fall Consultation in Calgary and the Anti Human Trafficking Forum, November 15 – 18, 2023.

As Ontario continued to see multiple mass migrations at the same time, we’ve experienced a drastic increase in the number of families needing services.

For us, 2023 was a year of significant advocacy, from the individual and family levels to community and national spheres.

I joined CWICE in October 2023, and am still amazed by the professionalism and knowledge that CWICE colleagues bring to the child welfare sector.

Honouring International Migrants Day

Zrinka Buric started the position of an Immigration Specialist in September of 2023.

CWICE is hosting two upcoming webinars that will explore the intersection between child welfare, immigration, settlement and border-related issues

Reflections of a Data and Research Coordinator with CWICE

Since CWICE launched its training, workers and foster caregivers have shared some of their experiences when working with children and youth in out-of-home care without immigration status and the challenges they faced before CWICE existed.

Bill S-235, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, aims to provide Canadian citizenship automatically to non-citizen youth who have been in Canada for at least a year before leaving foster care.

CWICE stands alongside our many settlement colleagues, ready to support the new arrivals.

Over the last year, York Region Children’s Aid Society’s (YRCAS) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team attended our 8-course certificate training series. Since then, YRCAS’ DEI team and senior leadership have been working with CWICE to bring this training to all their staff.

Strengthening Multi-Sector Responses

Highlighting the work of those who support 2SLGBTQ+ individuals experiencing persecution around the world and seeking asylum.

As organizations and child welfare professionals implement these changes, from policy to training and practice, CWICE is available to assist in preparation and implementation.

Feedback from a happy client

The story of a 15-year-old youth with unresolved immigration status in Canada.