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The WESO project's client digital literacy experiment sought to answer a simple but complex question: what is the bare minimum training for Newcomers that would improve the likelihood that they might access online services? The ultimate goal of the training was to change clients’ behaviour and get them to use online/digital services.

What's in the CFP related to digital that should be acted on?They'll fund your tech. But what should you ask for? I don't have a crystal ball or insider view of IRCC, and they're being vague in some areas. But there are a few areas that seem fairly clear to me where I want to make recommendations. I'm also pointing out areas of the CFP that you need to make sure you actually find and read.

The Connecting Families Initiative (CFI) is a Government of Canada program that provides more affordable Internet services to eligible Canadians. Those eligible for Connecting Families will be contacted directly. However, a number of the participating Internet Service Providers also offer other targeted programs for low-income Canadians to access low cost internet and mobile services. In some cases this includes Government Assisted Refugees. Find out more.

This November 2023 Pre-Arrival Community Partners Committee session convened by the YMCA of Greater Toronto examined how AI can play a role in the pre-arrival settlement sector, by examining how it is already being used and looking at the challenges and success of implementing this technology in program processes and service delivery.

IRCC appears to be funding two basic digital supports that you need to apply for in your proposal - Digital Navigators and Device Lending. I'm going to outline why these are going to be crucial for you to ask for and operationalize. And where in the CFP documentation IRCC outlines what you can ask for.

This November 2023 AlphaPlus webinar focused on an exploration of Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy's smartphone learning modules, and how organizations like LAMP Adult Learning, and Literacy Council York Simcoe (LCYS) are using them. Presenters explored how they use the modules in the literacy field and what other programs are doing when it comes to using smartphones with their learners.

This session was part of AMSSA's 2023 BC/Yukon Summit: Collectively Envisioning the Future of Settlement and Integration. The presenter provided an overview of relevant IRCC data and reports for the BC and Yukon settlement and integration sector, including findings from recent outcomes research and other data collection, evaluations of programs such as SWIS and LINC, and the uptake of settlement services in BC and Yukon.

This session was part of AMSSA's 2023 BC/Yukon Summit: Collectively Envisioning the Future of Settlement and Integration. Panelists discussed how a hybrid in-person/digital service delivery model can help organizations in the settlement and integration sector to create accessible, flexible and more choices for clients to access the services that they need. Knowing and understanding what is needed for digital transformation in the settlement and Integration sector would help the organizations in the sector to move towards the future of digitization of the sector.

You probably already know that IRCC has launched their national Call for Proposals. My advice is to start diving in now, and to quickly look at the upcoming IRCC information webinar sessions, because they start this week. There are some significant changes this year, so be sure to read the How to use the funding guidelines page.