What is SWIS Regional Coordination (Ontario)?
SWIS Regional Coordination provides system leadership, collaboration, and capacity-building support to School-Based Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) programs across Ontario. The Regional Coordination function strengthens consistency, quality, and impact of settlement services delivered in schools, ensuring newcomer students and families receive timely, responsive, and equitable support.
Working in partnership with IRCC, school boards, settlement agencies, and sector stakeholders,
SWIS Regional Coordination mandates are to:
Strengthen province-wide coordination of SWIS programs
Promote best practices and service excellence
Support alignment with national and provincial settlement priorities
Foster collaboration across regions and school boards
Our Key Functions are:
Training & Professional Development:
Design and deliver standardized and emerging-practice training for SWIS staff and managers.
Knowledge Exchange:
Convene provincial and regional forums, communities of practice, and learning events to share tools, research, and innovative approaches.
Sector Leadership & System Support:
Identify trends, gaps, and promising practices; support continuous quality improvement and coordinated responses to emerging needs.
Resource Development:
Create and disseminate guidelines, tools, and frameworks to support consistent service delivery across Ontario.
Partnership Building:
Strengthen relationships among settlement agencies, school boards, funders, and community partners to enhance newcomer integration and student success.
Through coordinated planning, collaboration, and learning, SWIS Regional Coordination plays a critical role in strengthening newcomer connections, improving service quality, and supporting positive settlement and integration outcomes for children, youth, and families across Ontario.