Resettlement in the U.S. Today

Transcription

1 Resettlement in the U.S. Today 3 million refugees resettled in the U.S. since 1975 Funding: R&P grant and travel loan United States PY15 Refugee Admissions Numbers: Region Admissions Numbers Africa 17,000 East Asia 13,000 Europe & Central Asia 1,000 Latin America & Caribbean 4,000 Near East & South Asia 33,000 Unallocated Reserve* 2,000 TOTAL ADMISSIONS: 70,000

2 Resettlement in Minnesota MN Department of Human Services Resettlement Programs Office (RPO) Program contracts, such as Refugee Employment Services (RES) and Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) The numbers, annually: Approximately 2,000 primary arrivals Secondary migrants (highest in US)

3 Who is Doing Resettlement? Voluntary agencies (VOLAGs), each with a national affiliate Federal contract to provide refugee resettlement services to families arriving in Minnesota VOLAGs located in Minnesota: Arrive Ministries (Richfield) Catholic Charities (St. Paul) International Institute of Minnesota (St. Paul) Lutheran Social Services (Minneapolis) Minnesota Council of Churches (Minneapolis)

4 Who Resettles in Minnesota? MINNESOTA City / Town Agency FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 Arrived (FY2014) FY2015 Proposed FY2015 Approved MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL IIMN MINNEAPOLIS LSS RICHFIELD AM SAINT PAUL CC MINNEAPOLIS MCC (CWS) MINNEAPOLIS MCC (EMM) Total Capacity 1,768 1,639 1,750 1,871 1,850 1,765 ROCHESTER USCCB ST CLOUD LIRS

5 Q1 Resettlement Data OCT/NOV/DEC 2014 Arrived & Scheduled to Arrive International Institute of MN 99 / 390 Individuals Arrive Ministries 88 / 340 Individuals Lutheran Social Service 112 / 370 Individuals MN Council of Churches Catholic Charities TOTAL METRO ARRIVAL # s 141/ 360 Individuals 98 / 305 Individuals 538/ 1765 Individuals (31% overall) Eritrean -1% Ethiopian Oromo 2% Liberian 0% Afghani 1% Bhutanese Somali 35% 3% FSU 2% Iranian 2% Iraqi 6% NATIONALITY Burmese Karen 49% Burmese Karen Somali Afghani Liberian Eritrean Ethiopian Oromo Iraqi Bhutanese FSU Iranian

6 Pre-Arrival Responsibilities Assurance process Weekly allocations from national HQ Either contact UST (94%) or assure as FREE Average wait time of 2-6 months, post-assurance Pre-planning Receive flight information Pull biodata file and evaluate for particular needs Contact UST to discuss preliminary resettlement plans Housing, apartment set-up, basic needs support (BNS)

7 R&P Period: 90 Days Core services, as outlined in the Cooperative Agreement Required Service Required Date of Completion First home visit Within 24 hours of arrival Intake Within 5 working days Food, cash support (MFIP/RCA) Within 7 working days Health insurance (MA) Within 7 working days ESL registration Within 10 working days Social Security Within 14 working days School registration Within 30 working days 30-day second home visit Within 30 working days Cultural orientation By end of 90-day period Case closure 90 calendar days post-arrival

8 Additional Services Required: Health screening WIC Childcare assistance SSI for refugees 65+ SSDI for qualifying refugees Selective Service Bus training Appreciated: Early childhood screenings (3-5 years) Bank accounts Assistance purchasing a cell phone MN State ID

9 Sustainable Support Systems Connect to community organizations such as: KOM BCOM Primary care clinics Arrive Ministries: Refugee Life Ministries and New Neighbor volunteer programs

10 Potential Concerns of Refugees Well-being of family, both here and still overseas Learning English Employment and having an income Figuring out the American system Trauma, memories, feeling alone

11 Typical Resettlement Challenges Being at the agreed-upon place, at the agreedupon time, with the agreed-upon people/items Housing concerns (repairs, cleanliness, rent) Medical needs and appointments Finding opportunities for empowerment BOUNDARIES

12 VOLAGs & MDH Process of communication Biodata and self-reported concerns Health screenings (Ellen Frerich, Kailey Nelson, LPH) Complex medical cases (Marge Higgins) Individual care plans Steps to complete, with responsibility shared by VOLAGs and social worker(s) Referrals, specialists, appropriate programs/services

13 Successful Collaborations Emergency hospitalization within 72 hours, and pediatric heart surgery one week post-arrival Clinic coordination Cooperation with the family to best meet needs and support parents, other children (refugee-sensitive) Mental health crisis two months into R&P period Regular communication Health screenings, particularly in Ramsey and Hennepin Ability to expedite MA, screenings, and appointments

14 Ongoing Challenges for Refugees Orientation to the US healthcare system Primary care v. urgent care v. emergency room Making own appointments and setting up transportation Teaching proactive/preventive care Sensitivities for working with this population Language & translation barriers Stigma Comfort with the way our medical system works must accompany any services provided

15 Outreach: Refugee Consortium Bi-monthly meetings to bring together individuals and communities who work with or have an interest in refugees Current arrivals information & statistics Presentations by different organizations All are welcome! Next meeting: Thursday, February 12, 3-4:30pm at Lutheran Social Services Center for Changing Lives (2400 Park Ave South, Minneapolis 55404)