GUELPH – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, the Wellington Catholic District School Board and Upper Grand District School Board have enlisted the support of Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington to deliver the Well-Being Health and Youth (WHY) survey to staff, students and their families in nine languages.
The purpose of the WHY survey is to collect information from youth, parents, and school staff about youth health and well-being. These surveys identify issues that could be addressed by schools, school boards, and local service providers.
For the first time, Immigrant Services will translate the survey into nine different languages.
“The mental health and physical well being of Guelph Wellington area students is top of mind for both local school boards and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health,” said Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington CEO Sandra Cocco.
“Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington is thrilled to be part of the process and important initiative.
“The agency’s Translation and Interpretation program (TIPS) is helping to ensure students and parents from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds have access to the survey in their language of origin.”
The WHY survey will now be available in Vietnamese, Urdu, Tigrinya, Chinese, Hindi, Filipino Tagalog, Amharic, Punjabi, and Arabic.
Through the Settlement Workers in Schools program, (SWIS) the agency was able to identify ways to enhance equity and access to the survey and ensure newcomer family voices are heard.
In a phone interview, Cocco said Immigrant Services has been offering translation services since 2011. She said officials can translate into 50 languages and are often used by Victim Services, Women in Crisis, the Guelph Police Service, homecare agencies, and housing agencies.
Certified translators work for a fee with some of the proceeds returning to Immigrant Services.
Cocco said the province should consider providing translation services to doctors as it’s important for a doctor to be able to communicate with a patient.
“Removing language barriers is key to successful relationships and quality services, especially when we are talking about health and well being,” she added.
The WHY Survey was to launch Feb. 12 and run until Feb. 23. For more information about TIPS or SWIS, visit is-gw.ca or contact Immigrant Services directly.
