Focusing on people and adapting to change: A report on the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia during the first year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) is the largest immigrant-service provider organization in Atlantic Canada. Due to emerging developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, ISANS chose to transition its in-person services to online platforms. It was a rapid transition accomplished in a short period of time. This report chronicles the adaptations made by the organization, the challenges they faced, and the solutions they employed to serve as a best-practice guide for future policy and programming.

ISANS’ focus on people and an openness to new technology were key components of the organization that were present long before the pandemic occurred and were essential to the organization’s ability to adapt and continue to provide services throughout the pandemic. These components were also key to the lessons learned and best practices identified by a tumultuous year that took a herculean effort to navigate.