WE LIP Settlement Partners Information Communication Exchange Committee Professional Learning Circle
The WE LIP Settlement Partners Information Communication Exchange (SPICE) Committee has been meeting regularly since the winter of 2013. The meetings provide valuable opportunities for representatives from local Newcomer Service Providers and City of Windsor Employment and Social Services, and Housing and Children’s Services departments to exchange information, learn about each other’s operational models and problem solve challenges experienced while serving their mutual clients.
Since 2015, the committee has planned an annual SPICE Professional Learning Circle (PLC). These Learning Circles provide an opportunity for front line staff to meet, gain information and provide opportunities to seek clarification on specific topics that affect the successful settlement and integration of immigrants into Windsor-Essex.
Below you will find videos, presentations and resources shared during SPICE PLC events:
WE LIP SPICE PLC 2023-2024
The committee planned its ninth Professional Learning Circle (PLC) which took place virtually on June 13, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM with over 54 participants.
The one hour virtual learning circle provided an opportunity for front line staff to learn about the summer recreational programming available in Windsor-Essex for the clients they work with. Charmaine Valbuena, Coordinator of Social Planning at the City of Windsor also presented valuable information about the 90% Pathway to Potential (P2P) Discount toward recreation, culture, and arts programming available for eligible families living with low-income in the City of Windsor and County of Essex.
Event Video:
Agenda:
Presentation:
2023 Windsor-Essex Summer Programs – IRCC funded Service Provider Organizations:
WE LIP SPICE PLC 2022-2023
The committee planned its eighth Professional Learning Circle (PLC) which took place in-person on September 27, 2022, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre (WIATC) with over 65 participants.
The half-day training session was facilitated by WE LIP Council member organizations and event partner, the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario. The Learning Circle focused on Gender-based violence and provided an opportunity for front line staff to meet, gain information and seek clarification on specific topics that affect the successful settlement and integration of immigrants into Windsor Essex.
Event Video:
Agenda:
Presentation:
WE LIP SPICE PLC 2021-2022
The committee planned its seventh Professional Learning Circle (PLC) which took place on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
This professional development event provided an opportunity for front-line staff to meet virtually through Zoom, to share information and provide opportunities to seek clarification on specific topics that affect the successful settlement and integration of immigrants into WindsorEssex. To ensure that the information presented was of value to participants, SPICE Committee members submitted suggested topics and a short survey was created to summarize and prioritize the topics by order of interest. During the event, presentations were delivered on Ontario Works – MyBenefits, Journey of a Refugee Claimant and Building Digital Literacy with ISSofBC’s Digital Literacy Materials. Participants were provided an opportunity to submit related questions during the event through the available chat option.
Event Videos:
Agenda:
Presentations:
Resources:
ISSofBC Digital Literacy Materials
- the computer-based ISSofBC Digital Literacy Curriculum Resource funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- the ISSofBC Digital Literacy Support Package for clients using mobile phones, funded by the Government of British Columbia’s Immigration Policy and Integration Branch | Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness
Please see below for information about both resources, including passwords for access which are available to organizations or groups working under public funding.
Please note: If you forward ISSofBC’s Digital Literacy Materials to another publicly funded teacher or organization, please take a moment to reach out to Lisa Herrara ( lisa.herrera@issbc.org ) so that Lisa can keep track of recipients for their records and be easily accessible for questions and support.
Welcome to the ISSofBC Digital Literacy Materials
The ISSofBC Digital Literacy Curriculum Resource (DLCR) for computers and the ISSofBC Digital Literacy Support Package (DLSP) for mobile phones are separately funded resources and are therefore accessed separately.
ISSofBC’s Digital Literacy Materials are password protected to prevent random access by clients and to ensure materials are only accessed by publicly funded organizations and programs.
The main website to access both sets of resources is:
ISSofBC’s Digital Literacy Curriculum Resource (DLCR) for computers
The DLCR consists of 7 Modules covering a range of digital skills which are essential to building a foundation of digital literacy for newcomers working at Literacy to CLB 6 levels of English. Each Module contains a fully developed digital literacy lesson, digital task with self-assessment tool, PBLA task with assessment tool, and extra practice activities that learners can use on their own time to practice and strengthen digital skills once core instruction has been delivered. To determine learners’ digital gaps and assets before beginning to teach or offer programming, the Resource also includes a Diagnostic/Needs Assessment (DNA) tool.
Needs Assessment webpage – Password: DiglitNA
For Trainers – Password: dlcrs4T
For Learners – Password: dlcrs4L (to be accessed AFTER receiving instruction in a class or workshop)
The DSLP for mobile phones can also be accessed directly here:
ISSofBC Digital Literacy Support Package (DLSP) for mobile phones
The Support Package was developed to provide a method and materials to help newcomers who only have access to a mobile phone to develop and practice critical digital skills for accessing Settlement services remotely. The Support Package contains lessons with visuals for Android (a smaller number also for iPhone) as well as online practice activities, and consists of 5 units:
Unit 1: Basic Phone Skills
Unit 2: Using WhatsApp or Telegram
Unit 3: Using Zoom
Unit 4: Navigating Online
Unit 5: Using Email
For Trainers – Password: dlcrs4T
For Learners – Password: dlcrs4L (to be accessed AFTER receiving instruction in a class or workshop)
Questions and Support
The ISSofBC Digital Literacy team is available to answer questions and provide support to organizations wishing to learn more about and/or begin using either of the resources. Please let Lisa Herrera (lisa.herrera@issbc.org) know if you wish to be notified about any upcoming presentations on the ISSofBC Digital Literacy materials.
Thank you for using this new resource to help newcomers build their futures in Canada.
Resources After Receiving a Negative Decision for Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB)-Refugee Protection Division (RPD)
WE LIP SPICE PLC 2020-2021
The committee planned its sixth Professional Learning Circle (PLC) which took place on Friday, November 20, 2020, from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM.
This professional development event provided an opportunity for front-line staff to meet virtually through Zoom, to share information and provide opportunities to seek clarification on specific topics that affect the successful settlement and integration of immigrants into WindsorEssex. Prior to the PLC, a survey was developed and disseminated to determine best practices during COVID-19. The responses from the survey were then summarized and a number of SPICE Committee members presented their best practices during the PLC. Additionally, information was shared through presentations on topics such as Immigration, Ontario Works and Housing; participants were provided an opportunity to submit related questions during the event through the available chat option.
Event Video:
Agenda:
Presentations:
