Project Background
Orientation to Ontario (O2O)/l’Ontario, C’est Chez Moi is a bilingual pilot project jointly funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Province of Ontario. Orientation to Ontario has been designed, through content and service delivery modes, to expedite and facilitate the settlement of newcomers to Ontario and to help them make better-informed choices through a standardized approach.
The project offers three options for accessing information:
• workshops that are delivered by over 30 Service Delivery Agencies (SDAs) across Ontario;
• self directed print resources – workbook and factsheets
• an interactive website featuring O2O online resources including but not limited to:
o Chatbot
o ArriveON APP
o Webinars.
COSTI administers this program in collaboration with OCASI and Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara (CSCNH).
Orientation to Ontario (O2O) Workshop Overview
The purpose of the workshop is to enable participants to better understand the settlement process in Ontario and the resources available to them. By the end of the workshop, participants will:
• Be knowledgeable about networks and resources available to them
• Clients have timely, useful and accurate information to make informed settlement decisions
• Clients have a plan to move ahead in their settlement process
The English language level used in the workbook is at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 or higher. Workshops are facilitated in English or French with or without interpreter support or can be facilitated in another language (Standard Model only).
Workshop Models
Agencies who are facilitating Orientation to Ontario workshops can utilize one of two different service delivery models: Standard or Fast Track. Both models can be delivered in-person, virtual, or hybrid.
• Standard Model: 10-12 hours long. It can be delivered over one and a half days, over three half-days in the same week, or over three half-days over three consecutive weeks.
• Fast Track Model: 7-9 hours long. It can be delivered during one full day or broken down into two half days during the same week or two half-days over two consecutive weeks.
• Online Workshops: Online workshops can be delivered as either the Standard Model or the Fast-Track model via live webinar for customized sessions. For both of these models, the standardized content will be made available in a pre-recorded format via an on-demand webinar.
o Standard Online Model: 7.5 hours long. It can be delivered over three sessions of two and a half hours each.
o Fast Track Online Model: 5 hours long. It can be delivered over two sessions of two and a half hours each.
All workshops can take place either in the day, in the evening, or on weekends.
Project Scope: Clear evaluation framework which includes:
- Effectiveness of Fast Track and Standard Models
- Effectiveness of In-Person, Virtual and Hybrid models (where delivered)
- Workshop outcomes and a core set of indicators
- Data collection tools and methods;
- Client/user feedback;
- Key informant interviews with senior managers and staff at the 30 pilot sites;
- Analysis of client outcomes, Workshop model effectiveness, and potential areas for improvement;
- Recommended options for the continuation of various workshop delivery models.
Project Deliverables:
A. A proposed evaluation plan within one month of contracting Aug - Sept
B. A draft report to members of the Management Committee including:
- Evaluation of various service delivery models and reasons for their success/failure;
- Analysis of all quantitative and qualitative data to validate the findings;
C. The final report will include: an Executive Summary including recommendations for workshop delivery models, methodology, and the criteria used to determine best practices. February
Evaluator Competencies:
- Understanding of adult facilitation principles
- Experience in the not-for-profit sector with grassroots organizations and/or government-funded projects.
- Experience in designing summative evaluations incorporating qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies.
- Capacity to conduct evaluation activities in English and French (subcontracting is accepted).
Pilot Timeframe:
- Duration of the pilot is four months, starting mid-December 2022.
- This assignment must be completed by the end of March 2023.
Application Information
Please send a succinct proposal by November 28, 2022, including:
- Applicant’s curriculum vitae, including a cover letter that clearly outlines how the applicant’s knowledge, skills, and abilities make him/her/them a good candidate for the project;
- Brief work plan describing the evaluation steps, including timelines;
- Understanding of deliverables;
- Budget (please indicate the hours and total cost for each step in the work plan)
- A statement of the applicant’s understanding of issues of confidentiality as applied to this project;
- Disclosure concerning any real, perceived, or potential conflicts of interest;
Proposal Submission:
Rahila Mushtaq, General Manager–rahila.mushtaq@costi.org
About COSTI
COSTI Immigrant Services is a community-based diverse organization providing employment, educational, settlement, skills training, and social services to new Canadians and individuals in need of assistance. Since 1952, COSTI has been helping those in need, assisting newcomer professionals and tradespersons and all individuals looking for employment, providing hope to refugee families, protecting women and children, strengthening families, combating racism and discrimination, and assisting all those who function at a disadvantage in society.
With a staff of over 450 people speaking more than 68 languages, COSTI strives to ensure that all individuals, regardless of language, cultural, or financial barriers, are given the opportunity to use their existing skills, learn new ones, and participate in all aspects of Canadian life. COSTI presently provides support to over 39,000 individuals annually.
As a multicultural and multi-service organization, COSTI Immigrant Services is the first contact for many newcomers and refugees, providing access to a vulnerable population that faces barriers in accessing mainstream services. COSTI delivers assistance to GARs, Refugees, newcomers, youth, women, families, adults, seniors, Internationally Trained Professionals, and others. The intended improvements in service delivery will ensure clients can access programs regardless of geographical constraints through an enhanced inclusive delivery model.
Click here to learn more about COSTI's Programs and Services.
Read about COSTI’s Board of Directors here and our Leadership Team here.