International Social Service-USA Branch 200 East Lexington Street Suite 1700 Baltimore, MD Phone: Fax:

Transcription

1 International Social Service-USA Branch 200 East Lexington Street Suite 1700 Baltimore, MD Phone: Fax:

2 TODAY YOU WILL: 1. Analyze complex case scenarios 2. Learn how to respond to unexpected circumstances for non-emergency repatriations

3 Webinar agenda: Welcome Remarks (Housekeeping) Advance planning Communication Sample case scenarios Backup and support General procedure Q & A Session Closing Remarks

4 ISS-HHS Cooperative agreement: The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement and ISS-USA signed a cooperative agreement to provide repatriation services The new five-year agreement will extend ISS's 15- year working relationship with the U.S. Repatriation Program.

5 THE U.S. REPATRIATION PROGRAM: The Program was established in 1935 under Section 1113 of the Social Security Act. The program is a repayable loan to the U.S. Government, not an entitlement. Temporary assistance is provided for up to 90- days. Repatriates can request extensions and waivers/deferrals. Program budget is capped at $1M annually * From the HHS, ACF website

6 I NEVER THINK OF THE FUTURE - IT COMES SOON ENOUGH. ALBERT EINSTEIN Picture retrieved from

7 WHEN TO START PLANNING Don t wait until you get a referral, you can search for local resources and make the connections NOW

8 Advance planning: Prior to arrival, conduct an ongoing search for resources available to the repatriate. Find a contact in the airport protocol office to expedite access to the gate or tarmac. Find a contact in CPS, for cases involving minors Find a contact person in APS to assist elderly or disable adults. Develop a working relationship with a shelter for placement of single people and families or search for an inexpensive hotel if after hours. Find a contact person in the public assistance office to expedite benefits. Locate the nearest state hospital and VA hospital to the airport in case of urgent medical need. Search for a mental health team to conduct an onsite evaluation in the airport (for a case involving a mentally incompetent repatriates).

9 We need more time! Most repatriation cases are non-emergency but all are time sensitive, few reason why referrals are sent with less than 48 hours notice: Repatriate s medical conditions is deteriorating Health and safety of the repatriate is compromised Repatriate s presence in country may be detrimental the diplomatic US Mission Political instability overseas Repatriate is a natural disaster victim Deportation to the nearest POE

10 Please respect the channels of communication: ISS-USA CBO DOS State HHS/ ORR Good communication flow it is very important to ensure services delivery to the repatriates

11 Disclosure of information Do not disclose information to family members, adoptive parents or other people involved with the case. Only if allowed by the Privacy Act Waiver (PAW). Please note that disclosure of such individual information is covered under the Federal Privacy Act of Medical information is covered by Health Information Privacy (HIPAA). Under Program regulations, 45 CFR (3), ISS is able to disclose information that may be necessary to carry out any functions in the United States which are related to the return of the individual or his/her entry into the US and for his/her health or welfare.

12 U.S. REPATRIATION PROCESS (ARRIVAL)

13 Repatriate and child example Case involved Mr. Jones a 34 year old man and his son, Jimmy a 5 year old boy, who have been destitute in Honduras. Last weekend, Mr. Jones was attacked by two men in an attempted robbery and his hands were cut badly during the attack. He received stitches on his hands which are now infected. Mr. Jones and his son are scheduled to arrive at 2:00pm tomorrow.

14 Case planning: 1. Documents (Repayment and decline forms) 2. Shelter 3. Hospital (treatment and medication) 4. Loan assistance 5. Public benefits 6. Transportation 7. School for the child 8. Employment center 9. Other

15 PRIVACY ACT AND REPAYMENT AGREEMENT

16 Who needs to sign the repayment agreement: Any repatriate who is capable of making decisions Family member of minors Guardian of minors or incompetent repatriates Mentally ill repatriates that are cleared by mental health team or hospital for outpatient treatment

17 Rape victim sample: Jane is a 24 year old woman, born overseas from a foreign mother and an American father. Her parents divorced 15 years ago. Her father remarried and lives in the Lancaster, PA. She suffered years of domestic abuse. She was raped by her brother and now may be pregnant. The police investigated the allegations and were substantiated. Her life is at risk since she reported the abuse, her mother defends her brother and accused her. Jane was released from the hospital today and will be traveling to the US, arriving on Saturday at 4:15 in the morning. Her POE is New York but her final destination is Pennsylvania.

18 Case planning: 1. Documents (Repayment and decline forms) 2. Shelter (Domestic violence) 3. Hospital (Check up, pregnancy test, etc.) 4. Counseling 5. Food: Dietary restrictions 6. Loan assistance 7. Public benefits 8. Transportation 9. Employment center 10.Other (Protection order against mother & brother)

19 Criminal sample John Doe is a 45 year old man, who was convicted overseas of sexual abuse of minors. He will be deported after his release for completed sentence on Friday July 13 th. He requested repatriation to Los Angeles, California. No family or friends are able to assist. He will arrive at LAX on Sunday at 3:00 am. We are not aware of current warrants for his arrest in the U.S.

20 Case planning: 1. Documents (Repayment and decline forms) 2. Shelter 3. Loan assistance 4. Public benefits 5. Transportation 6. Employment center 7. Other (Sex offender registry, US Marshal pick up)

21 Medical sample Mary is a 55 year old missionary woman in Bangladesh; she suffered a massive heart attack and was treated in a local hospital. The hospital is releasing her today, due to unpaid bills. She will be transported by air ambulance arranged by the embassy to Miami, Florida next Friday. Her family in the U.S. is unable to assist.

22 Case planning: 1. Documents (Repayment and decline forms) 2. Transportation: Ambulance 3. Hospital placement 4. Follow up with hospital Social Worker a) Public benefits (Expedite if possible) b) Shelter (ALF or other) 5. Death procedure 6. Other (Contact family members if allow in the PAW)

23 Just be prepared for challenges in case management: Destitute repatriates coming with mental disorders Passport expiring 48 hours after arrival Lack of valid ID Assistance finding Assisting Living Facilities (ALF) Benefits ( Medicaid, Medicare from state to state) Local worker with a large caseload Many states are under financial constraints Lack of Shelters or transitional housing

24 Special assistance is available: On case by case basis ISS can assist you with: Hotel reservations Travel arrangements a) Plane tickets b) Bus tickets c) Train tickets Escort service ( Medical) Other in kind assistance

25 FOR MORE INFORMATION: Salome Sullivan Repatriation Program Training Manager International Social Service-USA 200 East Lexington Street, Suite 1700 Baltimore, MD Phone: Skype: ssullivan2 Fax: Bringing resolution across borders Trayendo resoluciones entre fronteras

26 Thank you! With your help we are making a huge difference in the life of our repatriates. Any Questions?