Midterm Activities Report -- Metropolis Project CERIS Toronto Back to Table of Midterm Activities Report Contents C) 1998 RFP Funded Research Projects 1. Employment Barriers Experienced by Chinese Immigrant Women in the GTA 2. Immigration, Ethnic diversity and Labour Unions in Canada 3. Immigrant and Refugee Youth Unemployment: A Qualitative Exploration of Labour Market Exclusion 4. Investigating Policy Barriers to Immigrant Business Development: A Case Study of Chinese in the GTA 5. Enhancing School Retention Among African-Canadian Youth 6. Latin American Youth in Toronto: Identity and Immigration Issues 7. Building Bridges: The Collaborative Development of Culturally Appropriate Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect for the South Asian Community 8. The Health Effects of Reductions in Welfare Payments and Hospital Closures on Immigrant Populations in Southeast Toronto: A Ten Year Time Trend Analysis 9. Pathways and Barriers to Mental Health Care for Ethiopians in Toronto Economic Domain 1. Employment Barriers Experienced by Chinese Immigrant Women in the GTA Research team (lead researcher, partners): Valerie Preston, Department of Geography, York University Danny Mui, Chinese Information and Community Services, York Region Office, Markville Shopping Centre Maisie Lo, Manager, Immigrant Services and School Programs, Woodgreen Community Centre Start date: September 1998 Projected date of completion: September 1999 Amount awarded from CERIS: $19,640 Abstract: This study examines the employment barriers experienced by Chinese immigrant women in the GTA. The work histories and earnings of middle-class women are compared with those of their working class counterparts. Quantitative and qualitative analysis will be used to determine the impacts of skills, education, and work experience, the availability of semi-skilled and non-skilled jobs and discrimination on Chinese women's employment and earnings. Outcomes/results anticipated: An initial analysis of the focus group transcripts was presented at the annual meeting of the Association of American Geogaphers, March 27, 1999 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The presentation entitled Employment Experiences of Chinese Immigrant Women: An Exploration of Diversity, Valerie Preston and Guida Man was made in one of two sessions devoted to the Metropolis project. It was the sole paper presented by participants in the Joint Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement - Toronto. Nature of research collaboration: This research can be completed only with the collaboration of two community partners, Woodgreen Community Centre of Toronto and Chinese Information and Community Services, well established agencies that are knowledgeable about the employment experiences of their clients and communities. Community partners will be asked to comment on the proposed quantitative analysis, to identify participants in the focus groups and interviews, to help interpret the focus group transcripts, to comment on the interview results, and to advise on dissemination within their communities. Interdisciplinary collaboration is also essential. As lead researcher, Valerie Preston, who has expertise in gender and urban labour markets and quantitative methods, will supervise completion of the entire project with specific responsibility for the quantitative analysis and shared responsibility for interpreting the focus group and interview transcripts. With expertise in the sociology of immigration and the family and qualitative methods, Dr. Man will supervise the focus groups and interviews, complete some interviews, and ensure successful and accurate transcription and translation. Student research assistants will be hired; one Mandarin-speaking and the second Cantonese-speaking, to assist with focus groups and interviews, and a third to help with the quantitative analysis. Community researchers will help recruit women for the focus groups and interviews. Contribution to training and/or professional development: Two Masters students; Yuen Chu from the Geography Graduate Program and Wen Zhao from the History Graduate Program have worked as research assistants. They have assisted with arranging the focus groups, recruiting participants, facilitating focus groups, and transcribing and translating focus group tapes. The experience has provided both students with essential practical knowledge of qualitative research. Dr. Guida Man has worked as a postdoctoral student supervising the research assistants, acting as liaison with the community agencies, and designing the focus groups. Policy implications of work: The findings will address current policy concerns that economic integration is difficult for recent immigrants settling in the Greater Toronto Area. By comparing middle-class and working-class women, the study will indicate the extent to which class position affects the employment of visible minority women and its implications for policy responses. The research will also provide current information about the economic contributions of Chinese immigrant women who are often overlooked in settlement policies that concentrate on principal applicants. Economic Domain 2. Immigration, Ethnic diversity and Labour Unions in Canada Research team (lead researcher, partners): Jeffrey G. Reitz, Department of Sociology and Centre for Industrial Relations, University of Toronto Anil Verma, Faculty of Management, University of Toronto Start date: September 1998 Projected date of completion: May 1999 Amount awarded from CERIS $12,950 Abstract: This research will examine the reciprocal relations between immigrants and labour unions in Canadian society, using the best available data set measuring both immigration and union-related variables -- the Labour Market Activity Survey (LMAS), and the public-use versions of the Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID). Activities of the research include: (1) accessing and analyzing LMAS and SLID, (2) interviewing representatives of selected unions and immigrant communities, (3) highlighting the Greater Toronto Area implications of the study via comparative provincial or CMA analysis, and (4) preparation of a journal article on immigrants and unionization. Outcomes/results anticipated: The proposed study has two components. First, we are conducting a detailed analysis of key issues in the relation between immigrants and unions, using LMAS. These data have received very limited use for this purpose. One study (Christofides and Swidinsky, 1994) introduced union membership as a variable; it showed that visible minority males are only two-thirds as likely to be union members as majority group males. While the findings suggested important union effects, no specific conclusions were drawn. In our detailed cross-sectional analysis of LMAS, we are examining the representation of specific groups of immigrants within the unionized and non-unionized workforce. Have immigrants been recruited into unionized and non-unionized sectors equally? How do patterns of unionization vary among origins and birthplace groups for women and men within these groups, and at different levels of education? How do patterns of unionization for immigrants vary by industrial and occupational sectors, by whether employment is growing or declining in a specific sector, by region and by the established power of the labour movement within that sector? Answers to these questions will then inform the analysis of the impact of unions on immigrant earnings, job security, and exposure to unfair labour practices. This impact is expected to vary according to occupational and industrial sector, according to the power of unions within those sectors, and according to the representation of immigrants within the unions. In which circumstances does union membership lead to similar benefits for immigrants as opposed to native-born? A second component of the study is the development of a proposal for a more intensive study based on longitudinal SLID data, which would be submitted for funding to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Progress toward a more comprehensive process of the dynamics of immigrant integration into the labour movement requires the analysis of change over time. Many important questions relate to these dynamic processes, requiring longitudinal rather than cross-sectional data. How do unionized native-born workers respond to the progress of immigrant workers within their workplaces or within their unions? Does the presence of immigrants affect employment shifts later in time? When immigrants enter an employment sector, is there an effect on union strength, in terms of membership, or the behaviour of the union or the benefits it is able to provide? Have immigrants created any issues within unions that require special treatment or special attention? How is the behaviour of employers towards employees and toward unions affected by the prevalence of ethnic or racial minorities in their workforce? Nature of research collaboration: The project involves the collaboration of researchers with experience in immigration and industrial relations research traditions, respectively, and will draw upon the contacts of each within immigrant communities, and in the industrial relations sector, with both employers and unions. Contribution to training and/or professional development: Givonna Surian, the graduate student working on this project, is being trained in computer data analysis. Policy implications of work: This research addresses issues of practical interest to unions and management (see Odencrantz et al., 1986), as well as of general public policy relevance. Public policy addresses the integration of immigrants and minorities into economic institutions, and unions are a critical element in those institutions. Strategies to address obstacles to the successful integration of minorities can be made more effectively if there is an understanding and appreciation of the part played by unions in that process. A neglect of the position of unions, and of the distinctive features of the union environment, can undermine the success of these strategies. The analysis also speaks to issues of concern to unions themselves (see Zimny and Awelder, 1987). Unions want to add members, and are finding difficulties in many expanding sectors such as financial, business and personal services, computers, and other high-tech sectors. Immigrants are often represented in these sectors, and unions need to understand barriers posed by diversity. Employers negotiating with unions in collective bargaining should understand the changing ethnic composition of the workforce, and its impact in collective bargaining. Economic Domain 3. Immigrant and Refugee Youth Unemployment: A Qualitative Exploration of Labour Market Exclusion Research team (lead researcher, partners): John Shields, Department of Politics and School of Public Administration, Ryerson Polytechnic University Kahn S. Rahi, Access Action Council Ryerson Social Reporting Network Start date: September 1998 Projected date of completion: September 1999 Amount awarded from CERIS $14,510 Amount awarded from other sources of funding: Additional funding to cover costs to enhance this project has been sought through the City of Toronto Access and Equity Grants. There will be approximately $6,000 from this source in additional contributions. With this added funding we hope to extend the focus groups to an additional immigrant/refuge community Latin Americans and/or Portugese and to pay an honorarium to unemployed youth participating in our focus groups. Abstract: The ability to secure full and meaningful employment is a necessary condition for societal cohesion. Effective access to labour market participation has been threatened by the high incidence of unemployment, particularly regarding youth. The purpose of this research is to examine the "lived labour market" experience of immigrant and refugee youth who have been unsuccessful in their attempts to integrate into the Toronto labour market. We propose a comparative qualitative case study approach to examine three groups of visibly identifiable immigrant/refugee youth (Black African & Afro-Caribbean, South East Asian and South Asian) using structured focus groups to probe our subject matter. The overall guiding question informing our research project is: What role do race and ethnicity, both perceived and material, play in affecting the employment opportunities for immigrant and refugee youth, thus excluding them from the labour market? The study more particularly seeks to understand: the employment prospects and obstacles for immigrant and refugee youth; how structural features (including racism) and changes in the labour market are revealed in the lived experiences of immigrant and refugee youth; the continuities and discontinuities between different strata (groups) of immigrant/refugee and non-immigrant youth with respect to their employment experience; what cluster of resources, at the institutional, community and family levels, capacitates individuals and allows immigrant/refugee youth to maintain a sense of personal worth, hopefulness and attachment during unemployment; and the expectations of immigrant/refugee youth in the short, medium and longer terms regarding their employment prospects. Outcomes/results anticipated: This research will make a direct contribution to advancing equality by providing us with insight into the "lived labour market" experience of unemployed immigrant/refugee youth. We will be better able to identify conceptually relevant themes, issues and contexts behind their labour market exclusion and societal cohesion. While this qualitative approach does not allow us to draw representative conclusions, it affords the opportunity to paint a textured profile and identify emerging and salient variables which will be important in framing and interpreting the immigrant/refugee youth unemployment experience. It will also provide a valuable resource for subsequent empirical studies on this subject. This study will enable us to begin to understand the racial and ethnic dynamics, among other factors, affecting Canadian youth in their attempts to integrate into the job market. Nature of research collaboration: The Reference Group was established in 1996. For the purpose of the Research Project we meet regularly to share information about the project, consult and also have commitment from them to assist in gathering information and setting up the focus groups across the City of Toronto. Contribution to training and/or professional development: Provided training and professional development for Rhonda Payne staff worker at Access Action Council of Toronto. She is providing project assistance including logistical planning for the focus groups, staff support for the reference groups and other support assistance as required. Elmi Afyare, MA Student in Political Science, Brock University. He is employed in doing research assistance and planning support. Two additional graduate student will be hired in the near future to organize, conduct and analysis the focus groups. Policy implications of work: This study will be a public policy oriented investigation to be used by stakeholders concerned with employment and economic exclusion among immigrant and refugee youth, including service providers, government policy-makers, academics, community-based youth service and ethnic organizations in the Greater Toronto Area. Attention to the issue of youth unemployment in the national media and at the First Ministers' Conference in Alberta indicate the national significance of the problem. We believe that this Toronto-focused study will have national relevance and its findings will be useful for policy-makers, service providers and researchers across the country. The study adopts the working assumption that youths face similar employment problems whether they are born inside or outside Canada, whether they graduate from high school or drop out. However, immigrant and refugee youth face additional difficulties in finding work due to contributing factors such as lack of access to basic information, personal fear, a possible influence of cultural dependency, unfamiliarity with the logistics of seeking employment, and a lack of proper resumes and contact lists. Most prominent among these factors are cultural difficulties due to insufficient integration and the lack of adequate job experience --- commonly sought by employers. In general, the study will contribute in identifying the continuity and discontinuities of integrating into the job market by different immigrant and refugee groups. The study will also increase our understanding of the socio-economic location of immigrant and refugee families, which would enable us to appreciate the degree to which these families and their communities have come in contact with the larger society and have begun to see clearly their future prospects within the new society. By using the findings of the research project, decision-makers, practitioners and service providers will estimate the degree to which a lack of youth employment-focused programs negatively impacts on the chances of immigrant and refugee youth to integrate into the workforce, thus weakening social cohesion. We have support from the City of Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman and City Access And Equity Centre--- it is anticipated that the project will come up with a blueprint for a policy framework for the city of Toronto to apply in its efforts to address youth unemployment. In addition, we have been invited to attend the City of Toronto Youth and Children Committee and are in contact with appropriate staff dealing with youth services, including unemployment, at the city level. Economic Domain 4. Investigating Policy Barriers to Immigrant Business Development: A Case Study of Chinese in the GTA Research team (lead researcher, partners): Shuguang Wang, School of Applied Geography, Ryerson Polytechnic University Lucia Lo, Department of Geography, York University Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs Richmond Hill & Markham Chinese Business Association Canada Mainland Chinese Affairs Committee Start date: September 1998 Projected date of completion: September 1999 Amount awarded from CERIS $16,410 Abstract: Economic contributions of immigrants have always been a driving force of immigration policies. Immigrants contribute to the mainstream economy in at least two ways: participation in economic production through wage-earning employment; and employment creation through investment in businesses. In the1990s, the importance of job creation through immigrants' business investment has increased significantly. With transplanted capital and business skills, many immigrants successfully set up businesses in the host society and often turn their local community into areas of booming business. There is an emerging consensus that immigrant businesses are an important element in the current restructuring of the Western industrialized economies and can play an important role in local community development. As more and more immigrants come from countries of dissimilar culture, they bring with them diverse transplanted business practices to the new social milieu, which often cause conflicts with the long-established political and social norms in the host society. This raises two conflicting questions: (1) must immigrants adapt themselves to the business conventions of the host society with no flexibility? (2) should the host society consider accommodating innovative and appropriate business practices transplanted from other cultures with some flexibility? In a multicultural society like Canada, these questions must be addressed with appropriate policies that facilitate immigrant businesses for the sake of their economic contributions and at the same time ensure social harmony and cohesion. The objectives of this research are twofold: first, through a survey of Chinese business owners in the Greater Toronto Area, to identify existing policy barriers (possibly ranging from pre-immigration admission criteria to issuing of business licences and commercial development permits) in Canada; second, to review and analyze current government policies that affect development of immigrant businesses. Outcomes/results anticipated: Upon completion of research, one report will be submitted to CERIS and distributed to relevant government agencies. Research findings will also be presented at the 4th National Metropolis Conference to be held in March of 2000 in Toronto. In addition, one or two papers will be developed for publication in academic journals. Contribution to training and/or professional development: Three students are involved in this project as research assistants: one doctoral student at York University, and two undergraduate students at Ryerson Polytechnic University (Ryerson does not have graduate programs yet). Chi Shen, doctoral candidate in geography at York University, is doing his doctoral thesis is on ethnic suburbanization theories. Andy Charles is an undergraduate geography major in his 3rd year at Ryerson, and Winnie Chow is an undergraduate geography major in her 2nd year at Ryerson. Under the guidance of the principal researchers, the RAs have been assisting the research project by participating in the following tasks: literature search pilot testing of the questionnaire administering the questionnaire survey, including following up unreturned questionnaires data coding and database construction data analysis and presentation, production of charts and tables This project provides the RAs with the opportunity to learn the entire process of survey research. Apart from questionnaire design, they are involved in pilot testing, sampling, administering the survey, following up unreturned questionnaires, and data analysis. Such skills are applicable to many other types of research in social sciences. With the Canadian government now investing, through funding research conducted at the four national centers of excellence, to nurture a new generation of immigration researchers, such training enhances the RAs' future academic or career opportunities, such as preparation for graduate studies or employment with government agencies. Policy implications of work: In the large body of literature, most studies of social climate about ethnic labour market focus on such social barriers as racial discrimination at work places, language barriers, and invalidated educational credentials; yet, little attention has been paid to policy effects on development of immigrant businesses. This lack of attention may be attributed to the fact that most immigrant receiving countries have since the 1950s and the 1960s rescinded institutionalised barriers that discriminated against immigrants, and few countries now have separate policies for mainstream and ethnic businesses. However, this should not mean that no barriers exist in current government policies, as policy barriers are not necessarily those that are purposefully instituted; some policies that were not barriers before may now be barriers simply because they are inadequate to deal with the new and unprecedented development of immigrant businesses in the 1990s. In the face of intense international competition for skilled immigrants and overseas capital, it is crucial that governments of all levels in Canada maintain positive policies that encourage and facilitate establishment of appropriate immigrant businesses. This study will, through its research findings, make policy recommendations to relevant government agencies, so that a more welcoming and facilitating social climate can be created and maintained, in which business immigrants have full opportunities to make contributions to the larger Canadian economy. At a time of economic restructuring when public sectors and many private corporations are downsizing and wage-earning employment opportunities are decreasing, such a social climate is especially important. Although this is a case study of the Chinese, the research findings should have broad policy implications for other ethnic groups in the GTA. After all, the Chinese are not the only ethnic group that operates ethnic businesses; all other ethnic groups are engaged in business activities to various degrees. The policy recommendations made through this research will be general in nature and apply to businesses of various ethnic communities in the GTA. Education Domain 5. Enhancing School Retention Among African-Canadian Youth Research team (lead researcher, partners): Gloria Roberts-Fiati, School of Early Childhood Education, Ryerson Polytechnic University Carole Chauncey, School of Administration and Information Management, Ryerson Polytechnic University Organization for Parents of Black Children George Dei, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto Muriel Clarke, Organization for Parents of Black Children Roosevelt Robinson, Community Resident Start date: September 1998 Projected date of completion: September 1999 Amount awarded from CERIS $14,900 Abstract: The incidence of school drop out in the Toronto School System has been found to be disproportionately higher for minority youths than for youths from the dominant culture. The figures are particularly alarming for students of African Canadian heritage. The long term social and economic costs of this phenomenon, and its potential as an erosive element on the structure of the family, calls for immediate action. The present study will investigate the efficacy of engaging youths in an exploration of systemic barriers to their success, as an approach to increasing their motivation to remain engaged in school. It is hypothesised that contextualizing the students' education in the sociopolitical arena will lead to a greater understanding of the issues that affect their lives as minorities in a majority culture. This will result in higher levels of commitment to education rather than disengagement from the system. Outcomes/results anticipated: The purpose of the study is twofold: Firstly, to investigate the utility of Taylor's theory of sociopolitical engagement of minority students as a vehicle for deterring school drop our. Will engaging students of African-Canadian heritage in the exploration of systemic issues identified in the literature as barriers to their education, be successful in preventing them from dropping out of school as current data have shown? (Royal Commission on Learning, 1994). The study seeks to gain an insight into some of the issues students identify as affecting their school success, their thoughts and feelings about the incidence of drop out among their peers, and lastly, some of their own ideas on how drop out may be prevented. Secondly, because parent involvement has been identified as such a potent factor in students' academic success, interviews will be held with parents to gain an understanding of what they see as barriers to their children's educational success; to identify their thoughts on what might be needed to address the issues they identify; and what would they need, if anything, to support their children's learning. Nature of research collaboration: The research team is comprised of partners from Ryerson, the University of Toronto (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, OISE), a representative from a community group - Organization of Parents of Black Children (OPBC), a retired school principal is serving as project coordinator, and vice principals from two middle schools from which participating and comparison students have been drawn. All parties with the exception of the vice principals, are participating in planning and implementing the project. Gloria Roberts-Fiati and Carole Chauncey assume main responsibility for the project and are working closely with George Dei from OISE and the community resident. The students are working in coordination with the lead researchers in data collection and analysis, and in the weekly meetings with the study groups. Contribution to training and/or professional development: This project provides research experience for graduate and undergraduate students, with the latter serving as mentors to the project kids. Policy implications of work: Research has shown that the incidence of school drop out for minority youth is disproportionately higher than for students  from the dominant cultural group/s. The figures are particularly alarming  for youths of African-Canadian heritage. Education has been recognized as  one of the main vehicles for the attainment of economic wealth and social  mobility. If some groups experience consistent failure in this domain,  they are essentially cut off from the opportunities to attain a state of  economic independence and well-being. Outcomes from this study will be  useful for  educators and policy makers in understanding the obstacles with which  minority students are faced over and beyond the typical challenges to  kids in the school system. It will promote an understanding that generic  policies may not be sufficient to meet the needs of minority groups and  educational reform that address their specific needs are necessary to  the attainment of our societal value of equal access. Community Domain 6. Latin American Youth in Toronto: Identity and Immigration Issues Research team (lead researcher, partners): Alan B. Simmons, Centre of Excellence for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean, (CERLAC), York University George Bielmeier, School of Social Work, Ryerson Polytechnic University Duberlis Ramos, Hispanic Development Council Start date: September 1998 Projected date of completion: December 1999 Amount awarded from CERIS $23,706 Amount awarded from other sources of funding: $1500, York University Abstract: This study seeks to expand the theoretical understanding of "integration outcomes" (from assimilation to hostile interactions) for Latin American origin youths, aged 13 to 19, in Toronto, and to provide information not currently available but of potentially great interest to service providers in various fields: education, health, community services, youth programmes, etc. Particular attention is paid to youth views on "safe" and "dangerous" social spaces and how these are shaped within various dimensions of integration, such as gender relations (machismo, in the Latin American community), ethnic stereotyping and exclusion, group and gang culture, etc. The study design is largely participatory. Youth are meeting to discuss issues of integration and social spaces, and they are serving as consultants to the development of a survey questionnaire to be applied by them to other youths in the community. The views of the youth are being interpreted taking into account the broader characteristics of their community as assessed from census and other data. Nature of research collaboration: The study involves collaboration between two academic institutions (the Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean, CERLAC, at York, and the School of Social Work at Ryerson) and one community-based organization (the Hispanic Development Council, HDC) that is primarily concerned with policy issues. Discussions leading to the proposal were instigated by the Hispanic Development Council. The HDC first met with researchers at CERLAC who then drafted a study design for discussions between researchers from all three institutions. The School of Social Work at Ryerson had a previous history of collaboration with the HDC and came on-board with good background knowledge. Research focus/Objectives/Policy implications: The present proposal seeks to expand knowledge and policy perspectives on immigration youth by examining issues of identity and integration among youths in the large Latin American community in the Greater Toronto Area. The youths of concern are aged 13 to 19 years and were either born abroad or are part of a "second generation" born in Canada to immigrant parents. While the youth in the Latin American community come from many different countries, a significant proportion of them will have come from Central America in the 1980s and early 1990s, corresponding to the large refugee-led inflow from this region at that time. The study is motivated by gaps in the literature, theoretical questions about integration outcomes, and a desire to incorporate youth in the development of programmes for them. Attention will be given to the need for a better theoretical understanding of the determinants of "integration outcomes". Such outcomes are conceptualized in terms of both actual and desired relationships and include, for example, assimilation (immigrants and host society blend), peaceful but separate coexistence, and hostile interaction. Following the research literature on integration further, we understand integration to be a multi-dimensional process (involving many themes) that are often linked to one another. For example, gender roles (e.g., machismo in the Latin American community), gang formation, violence, negative attitudes to schooling and ethnic stereotyping may reinforce one another in the social process. The present study is particularly focused on: (a) the linkages between these dimensions of integration; (b) youth perceptions of risks and images of dangerous and safe social spaces associated with these dimensions; (c) ways of reducing dangerous spaces and expanding safe spaces. The study gives high priority to questions relevant to policy and programme development for youth. The project takes into account previous work by the Hispanic Development Council in this programme area, including its work with other agencies is based on the assumption that new programmes will be stronger if the youths themselves are involved in assessments leading to their design. Some illustrative specific questions to be addressed are as follows: Identity. How do Latin American youths perceive themselves, and how does this shape their views on sex-roles, the benefits of schooling, and participation in sub-cultures (including "gangs")? Fields of "danger". How do they understand and deal with "safe" and "dangerous" social spaces arising through stereotyping, exclusion, sexuality, and gaps between home and host cultures, etc? Migration experience. How do they perceive the impact of the influence of violence in home countries and refugee experience on their integration? Social policy. How do these youths assess the value of programmes in schools and the community with respect to increasing their security and integration? How would they improve those programmes? Contribution to training and/or professional development: The three research assistants who are presently working on this project are: Gabriela Torres, RA, is a PhD candidate in Social Anthropology at York. She is currently completing her comprehensive exams. Blanca Serrano, is a Ryerson Graduate (1998) in Social Work and currently a part-time Youth Worker at the Hispanic Development Council. Luis Carrillos is an experienced (more than 15 years)Youth and Community worker, currently working on contract (four days a week) at the Hispanic Development Council. He is currently upgrading his credentials at George Brown College and working on the project, part time. All three are receiving training in data collection through group interviews and surveys, as well as data analysis. The research assistants are also participating in the preparation of written research and policy reports. Policy implications of work: We assume that the project will help break down stereotypes about Latin American youths in Toronto in agencies (schools, police) in the community. We also anticipate that it will provide useful insight for those working in areas of youth violence. And we assume that it will be useful to the Latin American community in Toronto as they seek to organize programmes for youth within this community. Community Domain 7. Building Bridges: The Collaborative Development of Culturally Appropriate Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect for the South Asian Community Research team (lead researcher, partners): Nico Trocme, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto Usha George, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto Dorothy Herberg, Atkinson School of Social Work, York University Uzme Shakir, South Asian Family Support Services Bruce Leslie, Children's Aid Society of Metropolitan Toronto Start date: September 1998 Projected date of completion: September 1999 Amount awarded from CERIS $ 12,970 Abstract: The purpose of the proposed research is to examine the nature of CAS interventions with the South Asian community in Scarborough and to develop a definition of child abuse and neglect which would reflect standards accepted by both the South Asian community as well as child protection professionals. We propose to conduct a series of consultation group interviews to identify accepted South Asian child rearing practices. Frontline child protection workers will also be interviewed to understand their approaches to South Asian families. Areas where CAS standards and practices are inconsistent with South Asian child rearing practices will be identified. Mutually acceptable standards and intervention guidelines will be developed to assist service providers in providing more culturally sensitive and competent services that reflects the religious, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity of the South Asian community. This project provides a good opportunity for furthering the development of social service practices and policies that more accurately reflect the standards and needs of new immigrant groups thus contributing to the long term mental and emotional health of these groups. Outcomes/results anticipated: It is anticipated that differences will be found in approaches to child discipline between the South Asian Community and Children's Aid Societies. Furthermore, differences in preferred interventions may also emerge. Lessons learned about the process of cross cultural research will be presented at the 16th annual qualitative analysis conference, 13-16 may 1999, University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University, Fredericton, Canada. A paper for the proceedings manual for the above conference is being prepared. Contribution to training and/or professional development: The project is contributing to the professional development and training of a doctoral candidate in social work and a community based researcher who has aspirations to do her doctoral studies Policy implications of work: The findings of the research will contribute to the development of policy for culturally sensitive services for South Asian families receiving services from Children's Aid Societies. The findings from the research will contribute to a shift from vague notions of cultural sensitivity to oporationalizing the concept so that the community strengths and help seeking behaviors are identified and utilized as resources by service providers. Health Domain 8. The Health Effects of Reductions in Welfare Payments and Hospital Closures on Immigrant Populations in Southeast Toronto: A Ten Year Time Trend Analysis Research team (lead researcher, partners): Richard Glazier, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto Marsha Cohen, Department of Health Administration, University of Toronto Elizabeth Badley, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto Stephen Hwang, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto Robin Badgley, Department of Public Health Sciences (emeritus), University of Toronto Diane Pattychuk, Toronto Health Department Southeast Toronto Project (SETO - Community Residents, Central Neighbourhood House, City of Toronto Department of Health, St. Michael's Hospital, South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Regent Park Community Health Centre, University of Toronto) Centre for Research in Women's Health Caledon Institute of Social Policy Start date: September 01, 1998 Projected date of completion: August 01, 2001 Amount awarded from CERIS: $45,000 Amount awarded from other sources of funding: Related projects examining the effects of socioeconomic status have funding as follows: St. Michael's Hospital Inner City Health Program: $70,000 per year NHRDP approx $50,000 per year for three years ($22,800 in 1998-99; $53,000 in 1990-00; $52,000 in 2000-01; $22,092 in 2001-02) Medical Research Council of Canada (MRC): $38,760 per year for four years Abstract: What changes occurred in the use, volume, location, and mix of services and what were the effect on (a) ambulatory health care utilization (primary care and specialist services); and (b) hospitalization (all causes, mental health illnesses, social reasons, avoidable hospital conditions, and high demand surgical and diagnostic procedures)? In these areas of health service utilization, what differentials were there across areas within southeast Toronto according to their level of immigration? Outcomes/results anticipated: To date, approximately 10 qualitative key informant interviews have been undertaken with key members of local community agencies with responsibility for immigrant and refugee health. These interviews are ongoing, but early results confirm a marked effect on immigrant populations of the 1995 reductions in welfare payments and funding of social services, especially in the areas of stress, mental health problems, and substance abuse. The 1996 census is being examined in details for the application of enumeration areas and block face data to the study of immigration issues. Baseline quantitative analyses are under way int he areas of pregnancy and newborn outcomes and rates of surgical procedures. Contribution to training and/or professional development: The chief focus of training and professional development is with the graduate students involved in the project. Key skills being learned and practised are qualitative interviewing, analysis and interpretation, application of statistical and programming skills to large complex databases, and use of epidemiological tools to examine relationships between immigration, health care utilization and health outcomes. Policy implications of work: This work has implications for the use of census and administrative data in health surveillance, especially for vulnerable groups. This application for immigrant populations is novel. Our work will help to delineate the usefulness and limitations of this approach. If immigrants have experienced an untoward impact of reductions in welfare payments and hospital closures, it may be possible to demonstrate this empirically in changing patterns of health care utilization. Lack of access to needed care, under-use of preventative services, and impacts on mental health are some of the possible adverse effects with major implications for welfare, housing, public health and health care policies. Health Domain 9. Pathways and Barriers to Mental Health Care for Ethiopians in Toronto Research team (lead researcher, partners): Samuel Noh, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, & Culture, Community & Health Studies Section, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Clarke Division Ilene Hyman, Culture, Community & Health Studies, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Clarke Division Jagama Gobena, Ethiopian Association in Toronto Start date: July 06, 1998 Projected date of completion: September 01, 2000 Amount awarded from CERIS: $49,196.75 Amount awarded from other sources of funding: Heritage Canada - $40,000; Culture, Community and Health Studies -Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - Clarke Division (for additional 200 interviews) Abstract: As a result of civil war and famine, Ethiopia has experienced a major exodus of people to countries such as Canada. Currently, Ethiopian immigrants in Toronto number about 30,000. Traumatic migration experience coupled with the demands of resettlement in a new country create mental health risk. However little is known about the pathways and barriers to mental health care for this group. Our study objectives are: (1) to investigate ethnocultural influences on help-seeking behaviour in Ethiopian immigrants, and (2) to inform the development of new approaches to the provision of services for this group. Study methods combine epidemiological and ethnographic approaches. Outcomes/results anticipated: At present, there is little information on Ethiopians' culturally mediated strategies for coping with mental health problems or their help-seeking behaviours. This study will examine ethnocultural influences on symptom expression, help-seeking behaviour, mental health care utilization and problem resolution among Ethiopian immigrants in Canada. This information will be used to develop cultural sensitivity training programs for service providers and mental health workshops for Ethiopian community members to address issues related to resettlement stress, mental health and social problems. Contribution to training and/or professional development: Training is an important component of the proposed research initiative. Dr. Haile Fenta, M.P.H. (Epidemiology), Ph.D. (Epidemiology and Biostatistics) was hired as Project Co-ordinator. Dr. Haile is responsible for establishing and overseeing all aspects of the project from start-up to completion, under the supervision of senior members of the research team. This includes: developing and pre-testing the questionnaires, hiring and supervision of interviewers and translators, ensuring accuracy of translations, developing sample lists, liaising with community representatives, coordinating all aspects of field operations, data entry, providing on-going communication with the Project Steering Committee. Once the data has been collected, Dr. Haile will be responsible for database management, statistical analysis, drafting a report of the results of the study and organizing workshops in the community and with health providers to disseminate study results. He will be completing his Postdoctoral training under the supervision of Dr. Morton Beiser in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Two students have been hired as Project Interviewers. Another three Ethiopian interviewers who are not students at present, but have interviewing experience, will be conducting the supplementary interviews. All of the interviewers will receive training in quantitative and qualitative interviewing techniques organized and offered by the investigators of this project. The co-ordinator and interviewers will attend the CCHS weekly research seminar at which students as well as leaders in the field of cross-cultural health research present findings, discuss research ideas and consider methodological problems. Interviewers will receive ongoing supervision and weekly meeting will be scheduled with the Project Co-ordinator to review completed questionnaires and to resolve errors and/or responses requiring clarification. As part of their professional development, all members of the research team will participate in regular project meetings regarding, and will be encouraged to take an active part in the dissemination activities. Policy implications of work: The Federal Task Force on Mental Health Issues Affecting Immigrants and Refugees (1988) clearly indicated the need to develop sensitive health care for all citizens. This study will inform the development of culturally appropriate models of care for the Ethiopian community, which will likely be applicable to other newcomer groups in Canada as well.

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