Introduction/Overview
Services for Children refers to comprehensive programs designed to ensure the protection, development, and well-being of refugee and displaced children. These services focus on providing child-friendly spaces, educational support, health and nutrition programs, and psychosocial care to uphold children’s rights and ensure their safety, health, and development. Refugee children face unique challenges, including trauma, displacement, lack of education, malnutrition, and the threat of exploitation or abuse.
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we ensure that refugee children have access to the care, protection, and opportunities they need to thrive. Our programs promote child protection, safeguard children from harm, and support their emotional, physical, and educational development.
This approach is aligned with international frameworks, such as:
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, 1989), which guarantees the rights of children to education, health, protection, and participation in decisions affecting their lives.
Global Compact on Refugees (2018), which emphasizes the need for special attention to children’s rights and access to education and health services.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3, 4, & 16), which focus on good health and well-being, quality education, and peace, justice, and strong institutions to protect children.
A Vision for Child Protection and Development
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), our vision is to create safe, nurturing, and supportive environments where refugee and displaced children can grow, learn, and develop. We believe that every child, regardless of circumstance, deserves the opportunity to achieve their full potential in a secure and caring environment. Our programs aim to protect children from exploitation, abuse, and neglect, while ensuring that their educational, emotional, and health needs are met.
Through our child-friendly spaces, educational support programs, and health and nutrition initiatives, we help ensure that children have the resources and care they need to thrive in both the short and long term.
How We Deliver This Vision: Comprehensive Services for Children
RefPIC’s approach to child protection and development involves providing targeted services that cater to the specific needs of refugee children. We collaborate with educational institutions, healthcare providers, and child protection organizations to ensure that children receive the necessary support to foster their development and well-being.
Key components of our Services for Children include:
Child-Friendly Spaces: Safe, welcoming environments where children can play, learn, and engage in structured activities, helping to restore a sense of normalcy during times of displacement.
Educational Support Programs: Programs that ensure children have access to quality education, providing academic assistance, school supplies, and access to inclusive learning environments.
Health and Nutrition Initiatives: Initiatives designed to address the physical well-being of children by providing healthcare, vaccinations, and nutritional support to prevent malnutrition and ensure healthy growth.
Psychosocial Support and Well-Being: Providing mental health care, counseling, and psychosocial support to help children recover from trauma and build emotional resilience.
Protection from Exploitation and Abuse: Legal advocacy and child protection services that safeguard children from exploitation, trafficking, and abuse, ensuring their rights are upheld.
Why Services for Children Matter
Refugee children are among the most vulnerable populations, often experiencing trauma, displacement, and a lack of access to basic services. Without proper care and protection, children may suffer long-term physical and emotional harm. Providing children with safe spaces, education, and healthcare is essential for their development, ensuring they can thrive despite the challenges of displacement.
RefPIC’s child-focused services help mitigate these risks by creating supportive environments where children can learn, grow, and heal. By ensuring access to education, nutrition, and psychosocial support, we help refugee children build a strong foundation for a brighter future. These services also promote social cohesion and community resilience, benefiting both the children and their host communities.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Services for Children
As RefPIC continues to expand its services for children, we are committed to enhancing access to education, healthcare, and psychosocial support for refugee children. By focusing on child-friendly spaces, mental health services, and educational initiatives, we aim to provide holistic care that addresses the complex needs of children in refugee situations.
Our Triple Nexus Approach—integrating humanitarian assistance, development, and peacebuilding—ensures that children are at the heart of our efforts to build more resilient and inclusive communities.
What We Aim to Achieve
Our primary goals in supporting refugee and displaced children include:
· Providing Child-Friendly Spaces: Establish safe environments where children can play, learn, and recover from the stress of displacement.
Supporting Education: Ensure that children have access to quality education, helping them gain the knowledge and skills needed for future success.
Ensuring Health and Nutrition: Provide healthcare, vaccinations, and nutritional programs to prevent malnutrition and support healthy growth.
Offering Psychosocial Support: Deliver mental health care and counseling to help children cope with trauma and foster emotional resilience
Protecting Against Exploitation and Abuse: Advocate for the protection of children from exploitation, trafficking, and abuse, ensuring their rights are upheld.
How We Deliver Impact
Child-Friendly Spaces: RefPIC creates safe spaces where children can play, learn, and engage in positive activities, fostering a sense of security and community.
Educational Support Programs: We ensure that refugee children have access to academic support, school supplies, and inclusive learning environments to continue their education.
Health and Nutrition Initiatives: RefPIC provides vaccinations, health screenings, and nutritional support to protect the health of refugee children and promote their well-being.
Psychosocial Support and Well-Being: Our programs offer counseling and mental health services to help children heal from trauma and build emotional resilience.
Protection from Exploitation and Abuse: We work to protect children from exploitation and abuse by offering legal support, advocacy, and protection services.
Who Benefits
Refugee and Displaced Children: Children benefit from access to education, healthcare, nutrition, and safe spaces, enabling them to thrive despite the challenges of displacement.
Host Communities: Host communities benefit from inclusive practices that protect the rights and well-being of children, fostering stronger social bonds and mutual respect.
International Stakeholders: Governments, NGOs, and international organizations benefit from initiatives that safeguard children’s rights and promote child protection, education, and health.
Governance, Oversight, and Accountability
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we uphold the highest standards of governance, oversight, and accountability across all our programs. As a registered nonprofit, we operate in full compliance with the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and adhere to guidelines set by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for charities. This ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with national laws.
In addition to federal compliance, RefPIC adheres to provincial nonprofit regulations where we operate, both within Canada and internationally. Where necessary, we incorporate separately in different jurisdictions to ensure we meet local legal requirements. This enables us to operate effectively across regions while maintaining the highest levels of accountability and legal compliance.
National and Provincial Compliance: RefPIC strictly follows Canadian laws governing nonprofit organizations, ensuring transparency, financial accountability, and ethical standards. By complying with federal and provincial nonprofit regulations, we meet all legal requirements in the regions we serve.
International Standards and Frameworks: RefPIC's work is further guided by international laws and frameworks that protect refugee rights and promote sustainable development. We align our programs with global best practices to ensure our initiatives serve refugees and displaced persons effectively.
Strong Accountability Practices: We collaborate with local, national, and international stakeholders to ensure responsible resource management and effective service delivery. Through regular evaluations, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement, RefPIC ensures that our programs meet the immediate needs of refugees while contributing to long-term sustainable outcomes.
For more details, visit our Governance, Oversight, and Accountability page to learn more about our commitment to ethical practices, program evaluation, and compliance with legal frameworks.
Get Involved/Call to Action
Support Services for Children: Advocate for the protection, education, and well-being of refugee children by supporting RefPIC’s programs.
Volunteer: Join RefPIC’s efforts to provide safe spaces, educational support, and health services to refugee children.
Partner with Us: Collaborate with RefPIC to expand our programs for children, ensuring access to education, healthcare, and protection.
Donate: Your financial contributions help fund essential services that protect and empower refugee children, ensuring they have the opportunities they deserve.
Useful Resources (External Links)
Child Protection Working Group (CPWG) Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action: Developed by the Global Child Protection Working Group, this toolkit provides minimum standards for protecting children in humanitarian settings, including those affected by displacement. It covers safe spaces, case management, and community-based child protection. Access the toolkit
UNICEF Child-Friendly Spaces in Emergencies: A Handbook for Field Staff - This handbook offers practical guidance on setting up child-friendly spaces (CFS) in emergency and displacement contexts. It provides tools for creating safe, inclusive environments that support children's psychosocial well-being. Access the handbook
UNHCR Education Toolkit for Refugee Children: This toolkit outlines best practices for integrating refugee children into educational systems and creating supportive environments for learning, social interaction, and development. Access the toolkit
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Children in Humanitarian Settings: Published by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), this resource provides guidelines for delivering mental health and psychosocial support to children affected by conflict, displacement, and other emergencies. Access the guidelines
Save the Children's Toolkit for Nutrition in Emergencies: This toolkit addresses the specific nutritional needs of displaced children, offering guidance on food security, malnutrition prevention, and nutritional assessments in humanitarian contexts. Access the toolkit