SWIS
(Settlement Workers
In School)

Our SWIS Services provide enhanced services and supports for school age newcomer children, youth and families for the first 12-18 months of arriving in Winnipeg as a way of increasing integration into their new school and community.

SWIS staff work in partnership with school staff and service providers to deliver additional supports to recently arrived newcomer children and youth. SWIS staff are also responsible for ensuring that individuals are connected to existing resources to increase the overall wellbeing of each family.

SWIS Components Include:

Orientation Workshops for Newcomers (OWN) to help students gain a better understanding of their school environment and foster self-reliance, confidence building, identity, belonging and integration into the school culture
One-on-One and Group Orientation Activities that focus on: education & employment, safety & law, health & nutrition, community & places, pro-social skill development and mentorship
Pro-social skill development and wellness programming for participants alongside base service
Completion of Needs & Assets & Assessment & Referrals (NAARS) followed by a Settlement Plan with children, youth and their families for the purpose of identifying settlement needs and completing appropriate referrals to existing resources, programs and services
Enhanced NAARS and Settlement Plans for individual newcomer and refugee children and youth identified as having more complex needs who may require additional support to integrate into the school system or transition to alternative pathways after exiting the school system
After school homework support to help newcomer and refugee children and youth
Relevant and timely referrals for participants to community resources
SWIS staff work out of schools in the following divisions: Winnipeg School Division, Louis Riel School Division, Pembina Trails School Division and St. James-Assiniboia School Division