About

The Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) initiative is a school-based settlement program that supports the integration of newcomer students and their families. SWIS foster inclusion, create a sense of belonging for students and improve intercultural competence within the education system. SWIS services are available to all, regardless of immigration status. SWIS work regularly with newcomer students and families, school and school district staff, the broader student body, and community partners. 

The purposes of the SWIS initiative are:

• for newcomer students and their parents/guardians to gain the ability to function within the school and education system and increase their settlement knowledge

• for non-settlement partners to improve their capacity to provide support to diverse groups of newcomers across all sectors, in large, medium and small communities.

For more information about the services offered by SWIS, click here. 

Note: The Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) initiative supports those within an Anglophone school district. SWIS services are offered in English. ARAISA is responsible for the regional coordination of the SWIS initiative in the Atlantic provinces. L’initiative des travailleurs et des travailleuses d’établissement dans les écoles (TÉÉ) is the equivalent of SWIS for those within a francophone school district. TÉÉ services are offered in French and are adapted to the needs of French-speaking clients. Le District scolaire francophone Sud (DSFS) is responsible for the regional coordination of the TÉÉ initiative in the Atlantic provinces. To learn more about the TÉÉ initiative at DSFS, please click here. 

The Atlantic Region Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (ARAISA) is a non-profit umbrella organization that has been providing support to the settlement and integration sector in Atlantic Canada for 30 years. We amplify the impact of member organizations through engaging capacity-building activities, exciting networking events, representation at regional and national levels, and up-to-date information sharing. With over 30 Anglophone and Francophone member organizations across New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, ARAISA strives to increase the sector’s representation through our membership. We are proud to empower settlement and integration organizations in the Atlantic and ultimately contribute to newcomers’ immigration journey. 

ARAISA provides regional coordination for the SWIS initiative in the Atlantic provinces for the purpose of improving national coherence and ensuring consistent service delivery.

Our responsibilities include:

• Liaising with SWIS and their service providers to support optimal service delivery.

• Implementing solutions to local and regional issues.

• Convening spaces for networking and knowledge transfer among SWIS.

• Assessing trends and highlighting best practices.

• Coordinating and delivering professional development for SWIS.