MEDIA ADVISORY
OCTOBER 16, 2009

Groundbreaking research explores barriers faced by immigrant and refugee families in need of Early Childhood Development (ECD) services

WHAT: Press conference on the major findings of “Bridging Immigrants and Refugees with ECD Services: Partnership Research in the Development of an Effective Service Model”, a three-year research project funded by United Way of the Lower Mainland and conducted by HELP, UBC and S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

WHEN: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 23

WHERE: Choi Hall, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Social Service Centre, 28 West Pender Street, Vancouver

WHY: Almost 30% children living in the Lower Mainland are not ready to succeed in school by age 6. These children come from all walks of life. Diversity in BC: 25%，in the study area Coquitlam, 39.4% are foreign born. Multicultural children are the future, yet they are raised by parents who might have a different understanding of child development needs. This first-ever research looks at how well the community is connected to the multicultural population in ECD services; challenges to overcome for it to be accessible and acceptable; barriers to remove for promotion of ECD services, and opportunities to enrich our knowledge of the social and cultural determinants of ECD.

Tri-Cities-based research focus:

• Myths parents have about early childhood development
• Perceived discrimination: concrete vs. subtle barriers to ECD services
  
• The hidden group: special needs children and isolated immigrant/refugee families
• How to effectively reach families in the multicultural communities?
• What makes a culturally competent service model?

Press conference highlights: