Community Health and Social Services Retention Project in Montérégie East

The project aims to address the need for the availability of more bilingual health and social service (H&SS) professionals in the Montérégie East region to better serve the English-speaking community. MEPEC aims to develop a strategy that will create and support various activities to facilitate the recruitment, employment, and retention of bilingual H&SS professionals in the region.

Key strategies include:

1.       Collaboration and partnership building with various educational institutions and H&SS organizations such as Riverside School board, local CEGEPs and colleges, Universities, CISSME and H&SS institutions/organizations in the Montérégie East region to strengthen support and outreach efforts.

2.       Promoting enrolment in H&SS programs by informing youth about available careers in the sector through career promotional materials and organizing/hosting career information sessions and events.

3.       Informing students about financial support available through the Community Network Bursary Program and providing support with the application process to encourage participation in H&SS programs.

4.       Organizing conversation cafe sessions for H&SS professionals to practice English conversational skills, aiming to increase bilingual proficiency among staff.

5.       Promoting the positive aspects and benefits of living and working in the Montérégie East region.

6.       Conducting discussions with various regional committees related to education and employment on how to attract and retain H&SS students to work in the ME region following the completion of their studies.