A9: Smart Saver: Turning Government Policy into Community PracticeThis workshop will provide front line workers and program managers with critical information regarding the Federal Government Canada Learning Bond, a federal contribution to the RESP of a low-income child of up to $2,000 that does not require any family contribution, just the opening of an account. Introduced in 2004, the Bond has still failed to reach 82% of qualifying children in Ontario resulting in $129 million not being allocate to 259,000 eligible Ontario children. The settlement sector plays a pivotal role in working with newcomer families in accessing government funded programs, and the Canada Learning Bond remains a fairly unknown policy issue. While most newcomers experience RESPs through Scholarship plan providers, many of which are restrictive and punitive, there are options with Banks that offer high levels of flexibility for newcomers and low income families.Participants will learn about the Canada Learning Bond and understand the differences between policy options, providers and products. They will learn where to access multilingual tools, supports and training to work with newcomers on this issue and will discuss how this policy can be integrated into their settlement work. We will use a video tool and focus group discussions. Participants can go to the SmartSaver website and receive CLB materials.
Adriana Beemans is the Director of Programs & Services at Working Women Community Centre. Her responsibilities include leading the Don Mills North Local Immigration Partnership, the Victoria Park Community Hub Development process and other strategic initiatives including the Smart Saver Project. Prior to Working Women she worked at Toronto Community Housing as the Social Investment Fund Manager and overseas with the United Nations.
Nasrin Khatam is the SmartSaver Project Coordinator at Working Women Community Centre, she also coordinates the ‘Art in the Garden’ community development project at WWCC.
