Information and Support Services (Stream 1)

BCSAP Information and Support Services provides immigrant and refugee newcomers with information about B.C. society, guidance and support on personal and family adjustment issues, and connects newcomers to services and resources in the broader community.

In most cases, these services are provided by settlement workers who are employed by contracted service providers. Services are often available in the newcomer’s first language.

Information and Support Services to clients include:

• initial needs assessment and action planning;
• information about community and government services and systems;
• assistance navigating the immigration process;
• orientation to Canadian life and culture; and
• referrals and links to other services that may meet their needs.

Funding for BCSAP Information and Support Services is obtained through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The most recent RFP awarded contracts in various areas across the province for services between July 1st, 2008 – June 30th, 2009. The Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development retains the option of extending these contracts for up to two additional one-year periods based on budgets, service demands and contractor performance.

RFP documents are available on BC Bid and can be located by using these guidelines:

• Click on the "Browse for Bid Opportunities" or "Bid Results" link.
• Browse current ("open") or expired ("closed") opportunities using the BC Bid Advanced Search function, using keywords such as "Stream 1", "Adaptation" , and "Settlement". (If there is no currently open BCSAP Information and Support Services RFP on BC Bid, you will need to browse "closed" opportunities. When browsing closed opportunities, remember to adjust the date range. Please note that the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development assumed responsibility for BCSAP administration in mid- 2008; prior to that date, BCSAP and related RFPs were administered by the Ministry of Attorney General.
• Browse current open opportunities by organization under the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, which has had responsibility for posting Information and Support Services RFPs since mid-2008.
• Browse Services (click on the "Services" link within "Browse Opportunities") to see current open opportunities (there are usually between 200 to 400 current open service-related opportunities).

For more information please consult:

• BCSAP Stream 1 Information Sheet (service details, current providers, client eligibility, and outcomes). (PDF - 161KB)
• BCSAP Stream 1 Logic Model (inputs, activities and outcome details). (PDF - 31KB)

In addition to the core services, BCSAP Information and Support Services also includes the BC Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) Initiative, specifically targeted towards K-12 student newcomers and their families.

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