Utah refugee health PRogram Refugee Resettlement 101 Utah refugee health PRogram

Purpose of Presentation To provide information about how a person becomes a refugee, how refugee resettlement to the United States happens, and information about resettlement to Utah. Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Definition of a refugee A refugee is someone who: has been forced to flee their country because of persecution, war, or violence is recognized as having a a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group is protected under international law; individuals with refugee status must not be expelled or returned to situations where their life and freedom are at risk Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017 Role of UNHCR The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has the mandate to protect and assist most refugees worldwide. Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017 Durable Solutions UNHCR works to identify durable solutions for refugees who have been displaced from their homes; these solutions include: Safe return to their home country Integration within the host community Resettlement to a third country Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017 Resettlement Less than 1% of the world’s 20+ million refugees are ever resettled and the U.S. is one of more than 30 countries that accepts refugees for resettlement. Since 1975, the U.S. has resettled more than 3 million people. Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Refugee Resettlement to the United States Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

History of U.Ss Refugee Resettlement After World War II 250,000 displaced Europeans were welcomed to the U.S. 1948- The Displaced Persons Act provided for the admission of an additional 400,000 displaced Europeans to the U.S. 1975- The U.S. resettled many thousands of Southeast Asian refugees through an ad hoc Refugee Task Force. 1980- The Refugee Act passed and standardized federally-supported resettlement services for all refugees admitted to the U.S. providing a basis for today’s Refugee Admissions program. Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

US Refugee Resettlement Program The U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program is a worldwide public-private partnership involving: multiple federal agencies international organizations non-governmental organizations state/local government communities private citizens and other stakeholders Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

US Refugee Resettlement Program The State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) manages the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program through contracts with 9 overseas Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs) and 9 national Resettlement Agencies. Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Resettlement Support Centers Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs) are: funded by PRM responsible for the accurate overseas processing of refugees referred to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and who are approved for resettlement by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Resettlement Support Centers Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Resettlement Agencies Resettlement Agencies, also known as Voluntary Agencies (Volags) are: non-governmental organizations contracted with PRM to provide services for refugees when they arrive to the U.S. through the Reception and Placement (R&P) Program Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Resettlement Agencies Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Resettlement Agency Sites Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

US Refugee Resettlement Program Based on PRM recommendations, the President, in consultation with Congress, determines the authorized target for refugee admissions each year. Admissions are determined by region: Africa East Asia Europe and Central Asia Latin America/Caribbean Near East/South Asia Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Refugee Resettlement Process Eligible refugees are: Referred by UNCHR, U.S. Embassy, or NGO Complete overseas processing through a RSC including a cultural orientation, medical screening, multiple security background checks and interviews Provided a loan for the cost of their travel to the US by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) who coordinates travel Assisted by a resettlement agency upon their arrival to the U.S. Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

U.S. Refugee Reception & Placement Program Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Reception & Placement (R & P) Program PRM partners with the 9 national resettlement agencies to help place refugees throughout the U.S. Resettlement agencies provide basic necessities and core services to refugees during their first 30-90 days in the U.S. The goal of the program is economic self –sufficiency as soon as possible after arrival. Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Support Refugees Receive after Resettlement As part of the R & P Program resettlement agencies are responsible for meeting the basic needs of refugees including: Decent, safe, sanitary, affordable housing Essential home furnishings Food and food allowance Seasonally appropriate clothing Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Support Refugee Receive after Resettlement Cont. As part of the R & P Program resettlement agencies also are responsible for assisting refugees in navigating U.S. systems to: Apply for a social security card Apply for public benefits Find employment Register children for school Complete required health screening and access follow-up care Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Refugee resettlement To Utah Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Refugee Arrivals to Utah There are an estimated 60,000 people of refugee backgrounds speaking 40+ languages. There are approximately 1,200 new refugee arrivals each year. All are resettled initially in Salt Lake County by either International Rescue Committee or Catholic Community Services. The Utah Refugee Services Office is the state agency responsible for Utah’s overall refugee program. Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

State Refugee Coordinator Gerald Brown, State Refugee Coordinator Works at Refugee Services Office (RSO) at the Department of Workforce Services Represents Utah at the national level Directs work that focuses on broad initiatives around refugee integration and capacity building Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

State Refugee Health Coordinator Amelia Self, State Refugee Health Coordinator Manages the Refugee Health Program (RHP) at the Utah Department of Health Represents Utah at the national level Directs work that focuses on creating community health partnerships for culturally and linguistically appropriate health screening, education, and referrals Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Resettlement Agencies in Utah Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Resettlement Agencies in Utah Provide R & P services during the first 30-90 days after arrival Provide home, safety, and cultural orientations to assist refugees in adapting to life in Utah Provide case management services for refugees for up to 2 years after arrival Assist with overall community integration Offer specialized programs addressing specific issues or needs (i.e youth afterschool programs) Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Refugee Mental Health providers Specifically serves refugees who are torture survivors Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Local Refugee-Related Organizations Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office for New Americans Focused on connecting New Americans to resources to help them thrive and feel welcome. Refugee Education and Training Center Focused on fostering opportunities to help refugees access higher education and training programs needed for better paying jobs that will support their families. Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Federal Refugee-Related Organizations Office of Refugee Resettlement Helps new populations maximize their potential in the U.S. by linking them to critical resources that assist them in becoming integrated members of American society. CDC Immigrant, Refugee and Migrant Health Branch Provides guidelines for disease screening and treatment, tracks and reports diseases, advises U.S. partners on health care for refugee groups, and educates and communicates with refugee groups and partners. Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017 New Utahns Refugees arrive to the U.S. with the legal right to work and build new lives and are eligible to become citizens after 5 years. Utah has and continues to be a welcoming state where refugees are supported as they move from being a refugee to a Utahn and contribute in many meaningful ways to the Beehive State! Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017 Acknowledgements Some material included in this presentation was taken from slides from these presentations: Refugee Council USA for members of SCORR and ARHC, June 24, 2015 Office of Refugee Admissions for North Carolina State Refugee Conference, August 20, 2013 Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017

Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017 Utah Refugee Health Program Contact Information rhprogram@utah.gov 801-538-6221 http://health.utah.gov/epi/healthypeople/refugee/ Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017