SWIS-TÉÉ is a cross-cutting, long-term initiative that contributes to many areas across the settlement continuum. Services range in intensity depending on the family situation and school context, and may include: Needs and Assets Assessment and Referrals, Information and Orientation, Employment Related Services, and Community Connections programming.

As an example of the initiative’s many direct impacts on newcomer youth: A young high school student, who arrived in Canada in 2016, was struggling because of mobility issues. The SWIS-TÉÉ worker at the high school helped the family access funding for a walker, wheelchair and physiotherapy. She also helped the mother communicate with the school so that they could work together to accommodate his needs.

SWIS-TÉÉ workers in some regions also coordinate school readiness programming to offer students a foundation for success before the academic year begins. Teachers, settlement workers and peer leaders (immigrant youth living in Canada for 2-3 years) work together to ensure a smooth entry to school by introducing new students to facilities, routines and policies, and by providing contacts and support.

The strength of SWIS-TÉÉ lies in its early interventions, which are essential for the successful integration of newcomer children into the education system. For example, primary and secondary schools are important to newcomer youth in Canada not only for their education but also for their settlement, social inclusion and belonging in their Canadian community and into Canadian society. Schools can act as gateways by offering timely access to direct (i.e. on-location) services and by providing referrals to other settlement provider organizations, which are dedicated to deliver Canadian government-funded settlement services to newcomers.

SWIS-TÉÉ is also a best practice in cooperation building, as groups that are not usually considered as part of the settlement experience for newcomers are able to benefit from SWIS-TÉÉ, such as school staff (e.g. teachers, administration). SWIS-TÉÉ workers help raise awareness of newcomer needs and promote inter-cultural understanding. SWIS-TÉÉ is a good example of how integrated approaches (i.e., incorporating schools, clients and settlement provider organizations) to service delivery are a central theme for successful settlement services.