Resettlement Assistance Program and Case Management Services for Government-Assisted Refugees and other Vulnerable Newcomers: Funding guidelines

On this page

• Foreword
• 1. Resettlement Funding Stream - Applications for Resettlement Assistance Program Services
  • 1.1 Resettlement Assistance Program
    • 1.1.1 Immediate and Essential Services – Description
    • 1.1.2 Immediate and Essential Services - Locations
  • 1.2 Resettlement Assistance Program Outcomes
  • 1.3 Eligible Clients
  • 1.4 Applicant Eligibility Criteria to Apply For Funding
  • 1.5 Organizational and Community Capacity
• 2. Settlement Funding Stream - Applications for Case Management Services for Government-Assisted Refugees and Other Vulnerable Newcomers
  • 2.1 Case Management Services - Description
  • 2.2 Case Management Activities
  • 2.3 Locations for New Case Management Services
  • 2.4 Eligible Clients
  • 2.5 Eligible Applicants for Funding
  • 2.6 Organizational and Community Capacity
  • 2.7 Settlement Program Outcomes
    • 2.7.1 Immediate Outcomes
    • 2.7.2 Intermediate Outcomes
• 3. Applying to this CFP
  • 3.1 Using the GCS Portal
  • 3.2 Mandatory Documents
  • 3.3 Considerations
  • 3.4 Webinars
  • 3.5 Web Tools
• 4. Application Assessment
• 5. Timelines
• Annex A - IRCC Core Principles
• Annex B – Applicant Reference Guide: Tailoring Input in the Grants and Contributions System for the Resettlement Assistance Program Funding Stream (CFP 2021)
• Annex C – Applicant Reference Guide: Tailoring Input in the Grants and Contributions System for the Case Management Services Funding Stream (CFP 2021)

Foreword

Call for Proposals 2021 - Resettlement Assistance Program and Case Management Services for Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs) and other Vulnerable Newcomers under the Settlement Program

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) administers the Settlement Program and Resettlement Assistance Program to help newcomers settle and adapt to life in Canada, setting them on a path to integration and full citizenship. Through these programs, IRCC works with many partners to deliver a set of ongoing high-quality services to newcomers.

The purpose of this Call for Proposals (CFP) is to support the implementation of the Immigration Levels Plan 2021-2023 by building the capacity of communities to resettle GARs and vulnerable newcomers by (1) establishing new Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) Service Provider Organizations (SPOs) in communities identified in this document (RAP funding stream), and (2) supporting the delivery of Settlement Program services using a Case Management approach for GARs and other vulnerable newcomer clients in communities identified in this document (Settlement funding stream).

Funding for recommended projects will commence in early 2022 and will be eligible for a duration of just under three and a half years, ending no later than March 31, 2025. Applicants may apply to receive funding under the Settlement and/or Resettlement Assistance Programs but must submit separate applications for each program. Applicants who are submitting proposals to become a RAP SPO must apply to the Resettlement Assistance Program and either:

1. Also apply to the Settlement Program to deliver Case Management services, if they do not already deliver these services, or
2. Partner with an existing Case Management services provider in their community, or
3. Be willing to partner with an organization chosen through this CFP to deliver Case Management in their community.

To be considered for funding through this process, applicants must be proposing to deliver services in the communities listed in section 1.1.2 Immediate and Essential Services – Locations for the Resettlement Assistance Program, or section 2.3 Locations for new Case Management services for the Settlement Program.

These Funding Guidelines are a tool to help applicants develop their proposal(s). All applicants are responsible for reading the Funding Guidelines in full.

1. Resettlement Funding Stream - Applications for Resettlement Assistance Program Services

1.1 Resettlement Assistance Program

The Resettlement Assistance Program is a funding program operating in all provinces outside of Quebec that support Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs) and other eligible clients upon arrival in Canada by providing them with direct financial support and by funding service provider organizations to deliver immediate and essential services. This includes the provision of temporary accommodation and assistance finding permanent housing, orientation to life in Canada, and registration and referrals to other government and community services.

Through this CFP, IRCC is inviting eligible applicants to submit applications to deliver immediate and essential Resettlement Assistance Program services in support of refugee resettlement in selected communities identified by the Department (See 1.1.2 Immediate and Essential Services - Locations).

To support IRCC’s commitment to build the vitality of Francophone Minority Communities, the Department welcomes applications received from Francophone ^{Footnote 1} service providers. Preference will be given to Francophone service providers in the communities identified in New Brunswick.

To be considered for Resettlement Assistance Program funding, a project must meet the following criteria as defined further in this section:

• Align with the base service of Immediate and essential services;
• Deliver services in at least one community listed below;
• Align with Immediate Outcomes and Intermediate Outcomes;
• Target eligible clients; and
• Demonstrate organizational and community capacity.

To ensure there are Case Management services in all new RAP SPO communities, applicants who are submitting proposals to become a RAP SPO must apply to the Resettlement Assistance Program AND either 1) also apply to the Settlement Program to deliver Case Management services if they do not already deliver these services or 2) demonstrate how they will partner with an existing Case Management services provider in their community or 3) indicate they are willing to partner with an organization chosen through this CFP to deliver Case Management services in their community. Specific instructions are provided in Annex B “Tailoring Input in the Grants and Contributions System for the RAP Funding Process”.

For applicants who do not have previous experience delivering RAP services and are applying to become a RAP SPO, a ramp-up period of several months to reach full RAP service delivery capacity is expected. A partnership with an experienced RAP SPO for mentorship purposes and to gain the necessary expertise is strongly encouraged.

1.1.1 Immediate and Essential Services – Description

Immediate and Essential Services is the direct delivery of timely, effective and client-focused resettlement assistance programming during the first four to six weeks following a client’s arrival in Canada. To be considered for funding projects must include all activities described below:

• Accommodations: Provision of these services includes providing temporary accommodation to ensure that Resettlement Assistance Program clients are safe and secure during their initial days in Canada. The stay in temporary accommodation also allows clients to receive orientation and other services to help them live safely and independently afterwards. Service providers also provide housing orientation, and assist clients in locating and moving into permanent accommodation, ensuring that the best possible accommodation is found. Typically, Temporary accommodation is provided on average for two to three weeks.
• Needs Assessments and Referrals: These services aim to assess clients’ immediate and essential needs and potential barriers to learning so that Resettlement Assistance Program service delivery can be tailored to meet client needs. They also aim to develop a client resettlement referral plan to settlement and broader-based community services, which will support integration into Canadian society, including settlement services. All clients need to be adequately informed about the possibility of settling in Canada in French prior to the development of the referral plan. Before the end of the Resettlement Assistance Program service delivery period, service providers must carry out an exit assessment to ensure that all Resettlement Assistance Program services have been received, and to identify any remaining immediate and essential needs that the Resettlement Assistance Program service providers can address through their own services, or further referrals to settlement or broader-based community services.

For instance, Canadian life skills training is delivered to high needs Resettlement Assistance Program clients, who may require more guidance and support in order to become independent, even after receiving the basic suite of Resettlement Assistance Program services. It is provided to them after they have moved into their permanent accommodation. This intensive, short-term training and support is meant to build on clients’ current skill sets, and assist them in acquiring the specific knowledge and skills required for living in Canada.

• Orientation and Links to Essential Federal/Provincial Programs and Services: Orienting and linking clients to federal and provincial programs ensures they can access public services similarly to all permanent residents and Canadian citizens. Clients are to be registered for all appropriate essential federal and provincial programs, and oriented on each program’s purpose and on how to access them. Most of these orientations and links are to be made in advance of the client’s move to permanent accommodation. These include: social insurance number applications; Canada Child Benefit applications; ensuring clients have their Interim Federal Health Program certificates; provincial health-care insurance applications; and school registrations for children.
• Immediate and Essential Orientation: These services help Resettlement Assistance Program clients acquire the knowledge and/or skills to live safely and independently in Canada. Orientation should generally be provided while clients are in temporary accommodation, should be tailored to the needs of each individual or client group, and should address any immediate needs to prepare them for their move from temporary to permanent accommodation. Clients must be informed about Resettlement Assistance Program income support and their financial responsibilities, as well as the key entitlements of their income support budget and their financial responsibilities as outlined in the Resettlement Assistance Program Agreement for Income Support Recipients. Orientation should also be provided on communication and media; household management; Canadian banking system and personal finance, such as topics on budgeting, credit and immigration loans; public transportation and their local community; Canadian weather; Canadian law and justice, including family law and rights and responsibilities; and cultural norms and expectations, including culture shock and cultural adaptation.

All Resettlement Assistance Program clients also need to be adequately informed about the availability of settlement services, and broader-based community services in French or in English, as well as the possibility of settling in French or in English in Canada. Orientation on this topic should be delivered by, or in collaboration with, local Francophone or Acadian community organizations or service providers and could cover availability of services in French in the community such as health services, local Francophone schools and school boards, and Francophone and /or Acadian community centres, etc. Once informed and if interested in receiving RAP, settlement, or broader-based community services in French or in English, clients must be referred accordingly, depending on the availability of services in the community.

LGBTQ2 (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirit) clients also need to be adequately informed about the possibility of settling in Canada as a member of local LGBTQ2 communities. Clients should be referred or connected, whenever possible, to different aspects of the local LGBTQ2 community, including organizations that are adequately tooled to provide psychosocial support to this clientele. Ideally, initial information on this topic should be delivered by, or in collaboration with, members of the local LGBTQ2 community.

• Support Services: The following support services may be delivered under the Resettlement Assistance Program to reduce barriers to access, and enable full participation of clients in the Resettlement Assistance Program:
  • Transportation support, interpretation, and translation services;
  • Unlicensed child care services (or Care for Newcomer Children) may be offered to clients, as long as parents and children are present at the same site, and as long as all health and safety standards align with the CNC program requirements;
  • Licensed childcare (e.g., home or daycare centres) governed by provincial legislation or purchased seats in provincially licensed daycares run by other recipient organizations, may be offered to clients and do not require parents and children to be present at the same site; and
  • Care for Newcomer Children or licensed child care options may be offered on a long-term basis to support ongoing programming or on a short-term basis supporting occasional activities such as group orientations and individual settlement service appointments.

1.1.2 Immediate and Essential Services - Locations

The Department is looking to expand the number of communities in which it funds the delivery of RAP services. We are targeting communities where there is an existing need for RAP services and where indicators suggest that GARs will successfully settle and integrate. Your application for the delivery of RAP services must propose services in one of the communities below in order to be considered for funding. Only proposals for the communities listed below will be considered for funding.

British Columbia
Surrey
Abbotsford
Kelowna
Nanaimo

Alberta
Grande Prairie
Fort McMurray

Manitoba
Neepawa
Winkler

For the province of New Brunswick, in support of Official Language Minority Communities, the Department is looking to expand its Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) services specifically to include service provision to French-speaking clients in the communities listed below. Preference will be given to Francophone organizations.

New Brunswick
Edmundston
Bathurst

1.2 Resettlement Assistance Program Outcomes

To receive funding, applicants must detail how their project(s) align with the Immediate and Intermediate Outcomes below: 

Immediate Outcomes

• Immediate and essential needs of resettled refugees met.

Intermediate Outcome

• Resettled refugees have the tools to live independently in Canadian society.

1.3 Eligible Clients

Resettlement Assistance Program funding is intended to support services to the following clients:

• Permanent residents admitted to Canada or temporary residents who are issued a permit under section 24 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) who, respectively, have been determined to be or who initially applied for admission to Canada as members of the Convention Refugees Abroad class or the humanitarian protected persons abroad class where one of the following applies:
  • Selected on the basis that assistance will be provided by a government Resettlement Assistance Program; or
  • Selected as part of the Joint Assistance Sponsorship program.
• Persons who were members of the protected temporary resident class who become permanent residents under section 151.1 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations;
• Permanent residents admitted to Canada who were granted permanent residence under section 25.1 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act on humanitarian and compassionate grounds;
• Permanent residents admitted to Canada who were granted permanent residence under section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act as part of a group under public policy established by the Minister on unique and compelling humanitarian situations and where no other means of financial support is available; and
• Permanent and temporary residents admitted to Canada who applied for admission to Canada as members of any future humanitarian protected person abroad class.

1.4 Applicant Eligibility Criteria to Apply for Funding

Applications for Resettlement Assistance Program funding will be accepted from:

• Not-for-profit organizations and associations, including non-governmental organizations,
• Intergovernmental and international organizations;
• Businesses;
• Canadian educational institutions (including boards, districts and divisions); and
• Provincial, territorial or municipal governments.

To be eligible, applicants must also meet the following:

• Established and working in the community with strong ties and working relationships with local community services, social services and local employers;
• Demonstrate capacity to welcome resettled refugees of various linguistic backgrounds;
• Experience working with vulnerable newcomers (ex. Government Assisted Refugees (GARs), Blended Visa Office-Referred Refugees (BVORs), Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs), victims of gender based violence, disadvantaged youth, LGBTQ2, etc.); and
• Temporary accommodation identified (ex. commercial accommodations such as hotels or motels, and /or rented accommodations such as apartments, houses or reception houses).

1.5 Organizational and Community Capacity

Preference may be given to organizations who meet the following asset criteria for the delivery of Resettlement Assistance Program services. In their applications, organizations applying to deliver the Resettlement Assistance Program can demonstrate that they have, or are actively working towards having, the following in place: 

• Partnerships with settlement and non-settlement services providers such as:
  • Organizations from the local LGBTQ2 community that support the provision of information and services to LGBTQ2 clients, including the provision of psychosocial support;
  • Organizations that support other vulnerable individuals (i.e. Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, religious groups, etc.);
  • Organizations from the local Francophone Minority Community such as Francophone service providers or relevant Francophone stakeholders to provide information on the availability of services in French in the local community.
• Headquarters located in the community where they plan to deliver RAP services;
• If the organization doesn’t have previous experience delivering RAP services, establish a partnership with an experienced RAP SPO for mentorship purposes and to gain the expertise to successfully deliver RAP services in the new GAR-receiving community;
• Availability of settlement services in the community that are specifically relevant to refugees such as:
  • Literacy (Canadian Language Benchmarks and/or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens Foundation/Fondations L to 4L) and basic level language training (Canadian Language Benchmarks and/or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens 1 to 4);
  • Community Connections initiatives, including targeted matching between newcomers and community members (one-on one and family matching) and English or French conversation circles;
  • Settlement support services, including child care and short-term counseling;
  • Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs) or Zonal Immigration Partnerships (ZIPs)/ Réseaux en immigration francophone (RIFs) equivalent;
  • Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) in the grade schools and high schools that Resettlement Assistance Program clients will attend (if available);
• Availability of suitable permanent accommodation for resettled refugee families (e. g. adequate and affordable rental housing);
• Availability of multilingual staff and/or have connections to reliable interpretation and translation services in the community in the languages most spoken by refugees resettled in Canada. In 2019, the languages most spoken by RAP clients were Arabic, Tigrinya, Dari, Kurdish, and Swahili;
• An active funding agreement with IRCC for the delivery of Settlement Program services;
• Availability of services to LGBTQ2 clients; and
• Availability of other relevant specialized supports, such as specialized medical care, mental health services, education system supports, public transportation and accessibility for persons with a disability. 

2. Settlement Funding Stream - Applications for Case Management Services for Government-Assisted Refugees and Other Vulnerable Newcomers

Settlement Program services are instrumental in helping refugees and newcomers to: improve their language ability; acquire knowledge about living and working in Canada; form meaningful connections in their communities; prepare for and successfully integrate into the labour market; and, most fundamentally, develop a sense of belonging in Canada.

Through this CFP, the Department is looking to fund Case Management services for Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) and other vulnerable clients (for example: victims of gender based violence, disadvantaged youth, LGBTQ2, etc.) in GAR-receiving communities where they do not currently exist (See 2.3 Locations for new Case Management Services).

To be considered for Settlement Program funding for Case Management services, a project must meet the following criteria as defined further in this section:

• Target Government–Assisted Refugees (GARs) as well as other high-needs, vulnerable newcomers;
• Align with IRCC’s description of Case Management Services (section 2.1);
• Include activities under three base services (section 2.2);
• Deliver services in at least one community listed (section 2.3);
• Align with at least one Immediate Outcome;
• Align with at least one Intermediate Outcome.

To support IRCC’s commitment to build the vitality of Francophone Minority Communities, the Department welcomes applications received from Francophone ^{Footnote 1} service provider organizations. Preference will be given to Francophone service providers in the communities identified in New Brunswick.

2.1 Case Management Services - Description

Case Management refers to a comprehensive approach to supporting the settlement of GARs and other high needs and vulnerable newcomers ((for example: victims of gender based violence, disadvantaged youth, LGBTQ2, etc.) facing multiple and complex barriers to integrate, typically provided during a client’s first 12-18 months in Canada. The approach generally involves the following activities: a comprehensive needs and assets assessment and settlement plan with followed referrals, regular monitoring of progress and check-ins at set intervals, as well as the provision of personalized and intensive supports, based on client needs.

Case Management assists newcomers who need significant intervention and support in building their capacity to independently access and navigate Settlement and mainstream services to facilitate integration and encourage independence.

While Government Assisted Refugees are the principle group served by this approach, owing to their unique group profile and particular resettlement needs, other vulnerable newcomers (for example: victims of gender based violence, disadvantaged youth, LGBTQ2, etc.) clients may also be served by this approach.

2.2 Case Management Activities

Under the Settlement Program architecture, Case Management is considered a customized approach to delivering a group of activities spread across several Settlement Program categories (called base services in the Grants and Contributions System (GCS) Partner Portal), namely Needs and Assets Assessment and Referral Services (NAARS), Information and Orientation, and Community Connections. In addition to these activities, clients receiving case management services may also be offered Support Services which are designed to reduce barriers and facilitate equitable access to Settlement Program services.nbsp;

Applicants must include activities from the three base services described below.

Eligible Case Management activities under NAARS (examples are not exhaustive)

A comprehensive assessment of needs and determination of level of need against factors that pose barriers to settlement and integration if left unaddressed, such as:

• basic needs (e.g. housing, food security and health);
• life skills (e.g. ability to navigate community systems such as transportation/education/health systems and perform activities of daily living independently); and/or
• and/or psycho-social well-being (assessing need for further assessment by clinical/mental health professional, connections to community supports and resources, including trauma-informed counselling supports).

In addition to the factors above, under the Case Management approach, the assessment may also address the level of need for other mainstream settlement services such as language training, employment supports and education.

• The assignment of a case manager/coordinator that follows up with clients at regular intervals to: check-in on the client, determine whether clients obtained and benefitted from the referrals, update their settlement plan and track progress over a specified time period (typically 12-18 months);
• Measuring client progress and outcomes for the duration of case management services, including an exit survey.

NAARS Description: Assessment services should recognize and reflect both the needs and assets ^{Footnote 2} a newcomer brings with them. Assessments should result in timely and effective referrals to programming, offered in the client’s official language of preference within their chosen community. Assessments should evolve with the client as they move toward full integration. Consistent with the focus on partnerships, priority should be placed on referrals based on need and client service.

Eligible Case Management activities under Information and Orientation (examples are not exhaustive)

• The provision of personalized and intensive supports delivered in the client’s home or in the community to, for example, facilitate contact, provide information (e.g. how to take the bus) or build a client’s capacity to perform activities (e.g. pay bills, deal with landlord, contact child’s school, etc...) of daily living independently.

Information and Orientation Services Description: Knowledge of life in Canada is essential to full settlement and integration, including becoming a Canadian citizen. IRCC supports programming that emphasizes collaboration amongst stakeholders, and incorporates the perspectives of newcomers, Canadians, and Indigenous peoples, and provides clients with a well-rounded understanding of life in Canada and within their community.

Eligible Case Management activities under Community Connections (examples are not exhaustive)

• Direct accompaniment to appointments in the community (e.g. related to physical and mental health, education, housing, etc...) to support system navigation;
• Support in accessing community and settlement services and programs, as required, in support of the clients identified needs; Non-clinical mental health and well-being supports focused on prevention, mental health and well-being promotion.

Community Connection description: Community Connections programming builds bridges between newcomers and host communities, creating meaningful relationships and understanding among newcomers and Canadians, including Indigenous peoples, with the aim of creating a welcoming environment, enhancing a sense of belonging, social cohesion, employment readiness, and informal language learning. Activities that promote social integration and well-being are encouraged, as well as those that provide opportunities for newcomers to integrate and contribute to their new community (e.g. volunteering), and serve in leadership roles.

Applicants may also reference Support Services in their proposal

Eligible Support Services that may be offered to clients to facilitate their access to case management services

• Unlicensed child care services (or Care for Newcomer Children) may be offered to clients, as long as parents and children are present at the same site, and as long as all health and safety standards align with the CNC program requirements (PDF, 653 KB);
• Licensed childcare (e.g., home or daycare centre) governed by provincial legislation, or purchased seats in provincially licensed daycares run by other recipient organizations may be offered to clients, and do not require parents and children to be present at the same site;
• Care for Newcomer Children or licensed child care options may be offered on a long-term basis to support ongoing programming or on a short-term basis supporting occasional activities such as group orientations and individual settlement service appointments;
• Translation and interpretation services;
• Transportation support;
• Short-term counselling (previously known as crisis counselling); and
• Provisions for disabilities.

Support Services Description: Individual newcomers have had unique life experiences and face unique obstacles. Support services are designed to eliminate barriers and ensure equitable access to all IRCC settlement services. IRCC supports collaborative efforts between service providers and the community at large as a means of providing the best supports for service access (e.g., child care; translation and interpretation services; transportation support; short-term counselling ^{Footnote 3} ; accessibility supports for clients with mobility limitations and disabilities).

2.3 Locations for new Case Management services

The Department is looking to fund Case Management services in GAR-servicing communities where they do not currently exist. Your application for the delivery of Case Management services must propose these services in one or more of the communities below in order to be considered for funding. only Services within these communities will be considered for funding.

British Columbia

• Kelowna
• Nanaimo

Saskatchewan:

• Prince Albert
• Moose Jaw

Alberta

• Brooks
• Medicine Hat
• Lethbridge
• Red Deer
• Grande Prairie
• Fort McMurray

Manitoba

• Neepawa
• Winkler
• Brandon

Ontario

• Cornwall

For the province of New Brunswick, in support of Official Language Minority Communities, the Department is looking to expand services specifically to include service provision to French-speaking in the communities listed below. Preference will be given to Francophone organizations.

New Brunswick

• Edmundston
• Bathurst

2.4 Eligible Clients

Only the following persons are eligible to receive settlement services:

• Permanent residents of Canada;
• Protected persons as defined in Section 95 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;
• Individuals who have been selected, inside or outside Canada, to become permanent residents (pending verifications) and who have been informed, by a letter from IRCC;
• Convention refugees and protected persons outside Canada who have been selected for resettlement in Canada by IRCC; and
• Temporary foreign workers who hold or received approval of a work permit under section 112 or received initial approval for permanent residence under section 113 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

Additional Information:

• Eligible persons include both the principal applicant and eligible dependants (spouse and children).
• Non-permanent residents and foreign nationals who have been selected by employers under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (and their spouses and dependants) are deemed eligible persons for needs assessment and referrals and information and orientation as authorized by Ministerial Instructions (14.1 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act) for the duration of the pilot.

Restrictions:

• Canadian citizens and non-permanent residents are not eligible persons. However, the Settlement Program provides opportunities for citizens and other residents of Canada to participate in the provision of settlement services to clients as volunteers.

2.5 Eligible Applicants for funding

For settlement services, eligible applicants are:

• provincial, territorial or municipal governments;
• international organizations;
• not for profit organizations including non-governmental organizations, non-profit corporations, community groups, umbrella organizations, regulatory bodies and apprenticeship authorities;
• businesses, including those that provide indirect services (e.g., employers hiring newcomers, private language schools, conference organizers, web or production firms for tool development); and
• educational institutions (including school boards, districts and divisions).

Restrictions:

• For-profit organizations may be eligible for funding provided that the nature and the intent of the activity is non-commercial, not intended to generate profit, and supports IRCC program priorities and objectives.

To be eligible, applicants must also meet the following:

• Established and working in the community for the previous three years;
• Demonstrate capacity to offer services to resettled refugees of various linguistic backgrounds;
• Experience working with vulnerable populations providing Case Management services, RAP or settlement services.

2.6 Organizational and Community Capacity

Preference may be given to organizations who meet the following asset criteria for the delivery of Case Management services. In their applications, organizations applying to deliver Case Management services can demonstrate that they have, or are actively working towards having, the following in place:

• Experience working with refugees (ex. GARs, BVORs and / or PSRs);
• Experience in crisis counselling, managing clients/cases with multiple barriers requiring ongoing support and significant interventions and /or leadership in NAARS work;
• Experience coordinating multiple services supporting clients under a wrap-around support model, requiring strong partnerships with both mainstream and settlement providers;
• Experience or partnerships with organizations that support vulnerable individuals (LGBTQ2, Black, Indigenous, and people of color, religious groups, etc.);
• Headquarters located in the community where they plan to deliver Case Management services;
• Availability of multilingual staff and/have or connections to reliable interpretation and translation services in the community in the languages most spoken by refugees resettled in Canada. In 2019, the languages most spoken by RAP clients were Arabic, Tigrinya, Dari, Kurdish, and Swahili;
• Plan to align with one of the existing Case Management networks or models funded under the Settlement Program.

For applicants in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta (Prairies and Northern Region)

• Agencies with a social services mandate, and/or agencies with employees with professional certification/training and experience in interactions with a wide range of broader human support systems.

2.7 Settlement Program Outcomes

Based on the core Principles, your application will need to identify one or more of the Settlement Program immediate and intermediate outcomes described below and demonstrate how your project aligns with and supports the selected Program outcomes.

Once projects are funded, outputs are collected in an online system called the Immigration Contribution Agreement Reporting Environment (iCARE). This system tracks the number of clients and services provided and the service type. This also allows for measurement of outcomes as Immigration Contribution Agreement Reporting Environment information is linked to IRCC’s annual Client Outcome Survey.

The indicators listed below are mandatory measures that projects must collect and report on. Organizations are welcome to identify and work towards additional outcomes, but these must be in addition to the mandatory indicators listed here.

The indicators listed below are mandatory measures that projects must collect and report on. Organizations are welcome to identify and work towards additional outcomes, but these must be in addition to the mandatory indicators listed here.

2.7.1 Immediate Outcomes

Applications must address at least one Immediate Outcome. The Settlement Program’s immediate outcomes should occur within the first year of providing services. In all cases, when describing the outcome, show how it is relevant to your clients.

Immediate Outcome 1: Access to IRCC-funded settlement services is facilitated

Immediate Outcome 2: Increase understanding of client settlement needs and appropriate linkages to other services

Immediate Outcome 3: Clients increase knowledge of life in Canada

Immediate Outcome 4: Clients increase their participation in communities and social networks

2.7.2 Intermediate Outcomes

Applications must also address at least one Intermediate Outcome.

The intermediate outcomes of the Settlement Program focus on the adaptation stage of the integration continuum and have a time period of between one and five years from the time a client first accessed an IRCC-funded service.

In your application, identify at least one of the intermediate outcomes and describe the following:

• How progress on the outcomes will be measured, including performance indicators, data collection tools, project review and evaluation approaches. If relevant, describe any partnerships with other organizations, including academics, to assist you with measuring outcomes; and
• How performance information will be used to report on and adjust project delivery.

The description of Settlement Program intermediate outcomes and corresponding indicators provided below is meant to facilitate your application development. For your information, the data to measure these indicators is collected through IRCC’s annual Client Outcome Survey. You must align your indicators with those included in the description. You may choose additional indicators to measure progress against outcomes. Any of the project Immediate Outcomes may lead to any of the Intermediate Outcomes.

Intermediate Outcome 1: Clients access services that meet their needs

Intermediate Outcome 2: Clients make informed decisions about life in Canada

Intermediate Outcome 3: Clients participate in the Canadian labour market

Intermediate Outcome 4: Clients are connected to communities and institutions

3. Applying to this CFP

3.1 Using the GCS Portal

Once you have read through and understood these Funding Guidelines and web tools, you are ready to prepare and submit your application. Submitting your application is a simple three-step process:

1. Create your Organization ID.
   

   If you do not yet have a Grants and Contributions System Organization ID, access GCS at https://gcs-ssc.cic.gc.ca/ and click on the “Create an Account” link to set up your account and obtain your Organization ID.

2. Complete your Settlement and/or Resettlement Assistance Program application form.
   

   Log into your Grants and Contributions System account and create a new application. Complete each of the seven sections of the application form by responding to the listed questions, and refer to these Funding Guidelines to shape your answer. The seven application sections are as follows:

   • Section 1: Summary
   • Section 2: Goals and Services
   • Section 3: Activities
   • Section 4: Outreach and Outcomes
   • Section 5: Capacity
   • Section 6: Evaluation
   • Section 7: Budget

   In order to submit the application, you must complete all sections, attach all the mandatory documents and approve the Executive Declaration.

3. Click on “Submit” before August 20, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. PST
   

   You must click the “Submit” button on your application form before August 20, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. PST deadline, in order for your application to be considered for funding. After submitting, you will not be able to modify your application form.

If you encounter any technical issues while completing the application form in the Grants and Contributions System, you are encouraged to contact the Help Desk at GCS-SSC@cic.gc.ca.

3.2 Mandatory Documents

You must attach certain mandatory documents to your application. Different mandatory documents are required based on your applicant type.

Applicant type - Public institutions (such as a school board) and any non-federal levels of government:

• If one or more financial partners will be contributing funds toward the proposed project, you must include a letter of support from each partner.

Applicant type - Other organizations (including non-profits):

• Most recent Annual Report;
• Full financial statements including comparative information for the last two fiscal years (audited preferred). If your organization is relatively new and lacks full financial statements for two full fiscal years, provide the information for the period of time the organization has been in existence;
• Names of persons on Board of Directors;
• Names of any former public servants associated with this application, if applicable;
• At least one of the following: Constitution, By-law, Letter of Incorporation or similar instrument of governance; and
• If one or more financial partners will be contributing funds toward the proposed project, you must include a letter of support from each partner.

3.3 Considerations

IRCC is under no obligation to fund any application submitted through this CFP or to fund the entire scope or duration of a proposed proposal. If a proposal is selected for possible funding, IRCC will notify the applicant in writing that the application has been approved in principle. Applicants must not assume that their application has been approved-in-principle, until notified by IRCC.

Proposed budgets should be based on a realistic evaluation of expenses required to deliver proposed activities. All applicants should refer to IRCC’s Budget Guidance, located on our Funding Page in the Tools section, for detailed information on eligible and ineligible items. The amount of funding and scope of activities that will be supported by IRCC will be contingent on the satisfactory negotiation of a contribution agreement. Please note that there is separate budget guidance for the Settlement Program and the Resettlement Assistance Program.

Any expenditure incurred prior to the signing of the contribution agreement by IRCC or prior to IRCC’s approved project start date, or any costs related to the preparation of an application, will not be reimbursed.

Note: Successful applicants will be required to comply with Canadian privacy laws such as the applicable federal provincial/territorial privacy and access to information legislation and/or Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Applicants will also need to adhere to all physical and electronic security requirements, as stipulated in a signed contribution agreement. See the questions and answers section on our Funding Page for a list of security requirements.

3.4 Webinars

We know Funding Guidelines can raise questions. We want to address any uncertainty you may have. We will be hosting information webinars in both official languages during the application period to provide you with the opportunity to ask IRCC questions relating to this funding process.

Specific dates and times for each webinar can be found on our Funding Page.

3.5 Web Tools

You will find the following tools to assist you as you write your application on the IRCC Funding Page.

General

• Budget Guidance - required budget information and list of eligible and ineligible items.
• Grants and Contributions System Tutorials - a walkthrough on how to submit and review your application.

Settlement Program-specific

• Terms and Conditions - the requirements and standards that underpin all our Settlement contribution agreements.
• Logic Model - logic model that maps out the program’s base services and outcomes.
• Budget Guidance- required budget information and list of eligible and ineligible items.

Resettlement Assistance Program-specific

• Terms and Conditions - the requirements and standards that underpin all our Resettlement Assistance Program contribution agreements.
• Budget Guidance - required budget information and list of eligible and ineligible items
• Existing Government Assisted Refugee Receiving Centres – a list of 34 communities outside of Quebec where Government-Assisted Refugees are destined in which Resettlement Assistance Program services are delivered upon arrival.
• Resettlement Assistance Program Service Provider Handbook – describes the services that organizations funded under the program are expected to deliver to eligible clients.

4. Application Assessment

All of IRCC programming funded under the Settlement Program follow principles called the core principles. As funding applicants, you are expected to incorporate these principles in the design, implementation and evaluation of your proposed project(s), and articulate how you have done so in your application. A full description of core Principles is available in Annex A.

Below are the overarching assessment criteria, against which applications for RAP and for the Settlement Program will be evaluated. Funding decisions are based on your proposal’s total assessment score, service provider history with IRCC (if applicable), service uniqueness in a given area to avoid duplication, geographic coverage and departmental priorities.

• Client-Centred (15%)
  • Strategy to engage target clients is sufficient and appropriate.
  • Programming is client-informed with flexibility to meet the emerging needs of clients, especially where there are multiple client groups with multiple needs (e.g. programming tailored to French-speaking clients, youth, women, etc.)
  • Assets of the clients (skills, abilities, life experiences) are being leveraged.
  • Applicants demonstrate that they have the capacity, experience, contextual knowledge, and appropriate partners (if applicable) to carry out the project.
  • Project ensures newcomers are referred to service providers based on client’s official language of preference.
• Outcomes-Driven (40%)
  • Project activities are geared towards and can directly lead to expected outcomes.
  • Activities are relevant to outcomes and the completion of the project.
  • Project outcomes align with one or more IRCC outcomes identified for the Program. The link between the immediate and intermediate outcome(s) is logical.
  • Each project outcome is measurable and the organization has a plan in place to ensure that they achieve successful outcome(s).
  • Each outcome is supported by a plan to monitor performance and evaluate results. Data collected will be used to assess, report and adjust programming.
• Responsive to Need (20%)
  • The need for the project is clear and supported by evidence.
  • There are feasible project goal(s) with clear link(s) to the Base Service and, if applicable, the Customized Service.
  • The community is being engaged to identify needs or gaps in the community and to support the success of the project.
  • Project has processes in place to identify emerging needs and circumstances, and to adapt and adjust services accordingly.
  • Project raises awareness of the Francophone Integration Pathway and ensures that all newcomers can make informed decisions by obtaining accurate and complete information on settlement services offered in French by Francophone organizations and on the presence of Francophone and Acadian communities.
• Effective Use of Resources (25%)
  • Full range of community assets are being leveraged to avoid duplication (e.g., building on existing resources and expertise from both within the settlement and resettlement sectors and through other partnerships)
  • Proposed budget is balanced. All costs and revenues related to the project have been itemized and explained.
  • Project costs are in line with average costs for similar services in the same geographic area, where applicable.
  • The applicant has demonstrated proper and responsible use of funds related to both administration and program delivery.

5. Timelines

You have until August 20, 2021 5:00 p.m. PDT to submit your application.

Below is a timeline of the next steps you can expect once your application has been submitted:

Funding decisions are final; there is no appeal process.

Annex A - IRCC Core Principles

IRCC’s core Principles underpin all programming funded under the Settlement Program. As funding applicants, you are expected to incorporate these principles in the design, implementation and evaluation of your proposed project(s), and articulate how you have done so in your application.

Under the Official Languages Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), IRCC also has a responsibility to support the vitality of official language minority communities, satisfy the principle of substantive equality, and adapt its services to meet the needs of the official language minority population.

IRCC’s assessment of your application will take these principles, along with obligations related to official languages into consideration, as outlined below.