The call for an evidence-based integrated funding and service delivery system for newcomers
Abstract
The newcomer serving sector remains pivotal in facilitating newcomers’ integration into communities, however, this sector grapples with ongoing challenges. Using a case story and immigration data from Calgary, AB, this article examines the funding and service delivery difficulties organizations encounter. It underscores a system that fosters funding competition, impedes interorganizational collaboration, complicates program outcome reporting, and entails high administrative costs. Additionally, it addresses the specific challenges faced by newcomer children, youth, and families settling in Canada. The recommendations emphasize that no single agency can resolve the settlement sector crisis alone. Urgent actions include piloting integrated networks over integrated services and adopting a new Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada funding model that aligns with population and cultural needs. Moreover, eliminating silos is essential to establish a cohesive and efficient service delivery network committed to public outcomes and accountability.
Notes
Community organizations: n/a
Key populations: newcomer serving organizations in Calgary and beyond
Key recommendations:
Leaders of newcomer serving organizations should:
1) Enhance their funding models to be more adequate, predictable and sustainable
2) Encourage collective impact frameworks
3) Implement a more flexible and customizable approach to service delivery
4) Promote collaboration and coordination amongst stakeholders and partners to improve efficiency
5) Invest in capacity-building initiatives for organizations
6) Improve communication pathways between provincial and federal services
7) Strengthen connections between system-wide service providers by establishing annual accountability agreements
8) Maintain a data analytics centre of excellence
9) Use simulation tools with scenario planning with the wider stakeholder groups to explore and test alternative ‘what if’ models for service delivery
10) Connect funding to execution through specific performance metrics and outcomes, ensuring a more comprehensive and sustainable evaluation.
Open access: Yes
Future research / gaps identified: Not stated
Integration timeline: not defined
Key findings:
1) Calgary’s current growth, and the projected increase of 110,000 people by 2027, underscores the urgent need for reform in the immigrant and refugee-serving sector.
2) The challenges of securing adequate, predictable, and sustainable funding, coupled with the demand for customized and responsive service delivery, highlight the necessity for a fundamental overhaul of the current system.
3) A robust, outcome-focused evaluation and performance framework is essential to assess quality and inform sector learning and collective impact. Shifting from a siloed resource approach to optimizing system-wide resources can lead to cost avoidance and more efficient service delivery.
Location: Calgary, AB