Canadian Immigration Xperts

British Columbia announces pilot program to help the province`s most vulnerable refugees

Last week, the government of British Colambia announced a new, $7.2-million pilot program that offers young refugee children in BC and their families safe and comfortable places where the needs of the children can be assessed, and where their parents and caregivers can share experiences and learn about early childhood development and learning.

The Early Years Refugee Pilot Project is focused on helping young refugee children (aged 0 to 6) in BC and their families, many of whom have experienced trauma in refugee camps and war-torn countries.

The end goal of the program is to transition the young refugees into mainstream British Columbia services and resources, and ultimately into early learning centres and schools.

The pilot project has five centres in BC`s Lower Mainland, located in Langley, Surrey, Richmond, Burnaby and Tri-Cities. In addition, in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, there will be an outreach program instead of a centre, and program workers will visit and work with the families in their homes. 

The pilot project will be in effect until December 31, 2010, after which they will be evaluated to inform future early childhood support projects for immigrants and refugees.