Grant: Operating Grant

Canada as a whole, and BC in particular (e.g., BC Settlement & Adaptation Program), has been working hard to create settlement services for immigrant and refugee families in communities and in the schools with the aim of assisting these families in the process of integration into Canadian society. The programs established to assist immigrant and refugee families also work in partnership with communities and schools to create environments that are inclusive of the cultural beliefs and practices of Canadian newcomers and to which newcomers can contribute their skills. Little research, however, has been done that specifically studies the development, health and well-being of immigrant children over their school years in Canada. This proposed research will study the developmental trajectories including physical and mental health and academic achievement from Kindergarten through High School completion for children of four of the largest immigrant groups in BC; Chinese, South Asian, Filipino, and South East Asian; and for all other immigrant and refugee groups in BC. The knowledge gained from this study will expand our understanding of the cultural, familial, and neighborhood factors associated with the different immigrant populations that support successful long-term outcomes for the children of these newcomer groups, and has the potential for informing future intervention efforts aimed at maximizing successful developmental outcomes for the children of Canada's growing immigrant population.