An Innovative Health Care Educational Program for New Immigrants to Canada

Abstract:

Partnerships between post secondary institutions, mainstream immigrant serving agencies, and government can enhance access and equity of learning and employment for new Canadians and ensure the ethnic and cultural diversity of vocations. This project is an example of best practice in adult vocational education. Forty-five new Canadians from 10 different countries participated. Calgary Immigrant Aid Society administrated the project, recruited students and provided ongoing support to participants as well as the cultural component and the context for the Alberta Health System. Bow Valley College provided the training, which certified participants as home care support workers. Calgary Family Service provided clinical placements and supervision to students and guaranteed employment to graduates. Ongoing evaluation of this project has yielded important lessons regarding partnerships, cultural adaptation of mainstream curriculum, and the benefits of this innovative project to both the students and to the clients who require professional support services in the home setting.

Presenters:

Dr. Rena Shimoni
Ms. Hadassah Ksienski
Ms. Dalyce Greenslade

Dr. Rena Shimoni holds a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and a Post Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Development Studies from Hebrew University, Jerusalem, a Master's in Science, Applied Social Studies and a Certificate of Qualification in Social Work from Oxford University, UK, and a Doctorate in Educational Policy & Administration from the University of Calgary. She has held a range of educational and administrative positions in post-secondary education, with a particular focus on health and human services. She has co-authored three text books and has published articles relating to academic leadership and education. Dr. Shimoni has dedicated her career to program development, interdisciplinary and multicultural advancement.

Hadassah Ksienski is a graduate of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, School of Social Work. She immigrated to Canada 20 years ago and through the years, has been employed in the following areas: settlement, integration of immigrants and refugees, youth and family programs, and volunteer management. Also, she is the founder of Calgary Nannies Unlimited (a placement agency for domestic workers) and has been instrumental in the establishment of the first corporate children daycare in Calgary at Petro Canada. She currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Calgary Immigrant Aid Society which provides a continuum of programs and services for immigrants and refugees in the community. Through the years, she has established an extensive network in the community that enabled the development of innovative programs for children from single parent families and for newcomers to Canada. She presented her collaborative and innovative projects locally, nationally and has been invited to present at an International Conference in Jerusalem. For her innovative work, she has been a recipient of three prestigious awards: The Town Crier Award for the best public relations campaign in the city of Calgary, the Integrity Award for Exemplary leadership in the community and the Citation for Citizenship from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Dalyce Greenslade's education includes a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing and a Masters degree in Administration. She has extensive experience in the healthcare industry, including several years of progressive management responsibility within acute care, home care and public health sectors of the healthcare industry. Her expertise includes short and long range financial and program planning; interdisciplinary team building; strategic planning, business continuity and contingency planning; solid leadership; advanced problem-solving for complex issues; communication skills (written and verbal); collaboration with a variety of stakeholders; consulting with regional planners.

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