For many newcomers settling in rural communities, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) offices serve as a vital first point of contact, offering essential resources and support for newcomers integrating into the community. While many rural communities don’t have access to direct settlement services, local FCSS’ often take on the role of settlement support and therefore are tasked with supporting diverse clientele with unique needs - many of which often have language or culture barriers. Due to the unique needs of newcomers, many rural FCSS offices could benefit from capacity-building training to effectively support newcomer clients and continue growing their intercultural competency skills to meet the ongoing challenges of supporting newcomers in rural communities. 

This session will explore culturally responsive programming, best practices for service providers when supporting newcomer clients, and strategies to address systemic barriers in service delivery. The Rural Development Network has developed specialized training and materials to help community organizations enhance their cultural awareness and inclusivity. Participants will gain practical tools and insights to strengthen their programs, ensuring equitable and inclusive services for all community members. This session will focus on training opportunities, as well as best practices and practical tools that service providers can adopt to strengthen their programming to better serve newcomers and other diverse populations.