Elaine has developed expertise in working with grassroots Indigenous serving agencies, curriculum development for Indigenous learners, as well as in working with isolated communities to offer facilitator training and mentoring of Indigenous trainers and community workers. With the development of culturally sensitive curricula and training and making this material accessible to communities, Elaine has opened the door to understanding the importance of working together to improve literacy in Indigenousand non-Indigenous cultures. These programs are developed with an informal delivery model which focuses on creating comfort for the learner. Sessions reflect and honour common Indigenous teachings and practices and materials are adaptable to a variety of learning styles within the group. Materials assist people who have experienced domestic violence and help them address the impact trauma may have on their ability to parent, learn, and heal. Materials are culturally sensitive and work to increase the confidence levels and literacy and essential skill levels of parents and children affected by violence. With the increase of self-confidence comes an increase of inclusion and resulting societal understanding. These programs have a far reaching affect, not only reaching the participants and their families and community members but, also the facilitators who take the training's, facilitate the programs, and the community partners that provide the programming.

“I believe that improved learning leads to improved lives and with passion and dedication we can bring literacy and learning to everyone. Making a difference, one learner, one community, one organization at a time.” – Elaine Cairns

One of the programs Elaine is currently involved in is a program to strengthen the inclusion of Indigenous families in the school. A component of the program includes a bi-annual Literacy Feast in partnership with the Elementary School. It is an evening event where the families of the Indigenous students come to the school and enjoy a feast of traditional foods, made by volunteers, and are entertained by culturally relevant literacy and learning activities. The last event in January 2017 was attended by 130 people and was a huge success. Elaine has also developed or co-developed an array of many outstanding programs such as:

Literacy and Parenting Skills (LAPS), Aboriginal Literacy and Parenting Skills (A-LAPS), English as Second Language Literacy and Parenting Skills (ESL-LAPS) Parenting Your Teen, Writing Circles, , Parenting After Violence (PAV), Aboriginal Parenting After Violence (A-PAV), Workplace Learning Circle (WLC), Aboriginal Workplace Learning Circle (AWLC), and First Steps in Financial Literacy