Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program Molly Daggett, MSW Program Manager Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance DSHS

History Began in 1980 in Washington State Part of Refugee Act of 1980 Two agencies, Catholic Community Services and Lutheran Community Services Northwest (USCCB and LIRS) Way to resettle refugee children who did not have a parent or adult caregiver Currently operate in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and Vancouver

Countries of Origin Initially Vietnam and Cambodia, now countries include: Burma (Chin, Rohingya), Bhutan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Eritrea, Sudan, Liberia, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico

Eligibility Refugees – overseas refugee youth who have been separated from parent or caregiver Victims of trafficking – youth with eligibility letters from ORR who lack a parent or caregiver Special Immigrant Juveniles – youth who received this visa while in federal custody Asylees Family breakdown Cuban/Haitian Entrants; U visa recipients

Unaccompanied Children 12,000 in ORR care in U.S. Most have entered U.S. to reunify with parent Average length of stay 2 months Placed initially in shelters or foster care 5 facilities in Washington When gain qualifying status, can transfer to URM program

Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Services Foster care/group care/semi independent placement Intensive case management services Agency assumes legal custody Legal immigration assistance, mental health counseling, school advocacy Independent living skills training Support for higher education

Independent Living Curriculum Areas of focus: Educational Planning and Career Preparation Financial Stability Access to Health Care Stable Housing Reliable and Appropriate Transportation Identification and Realization of Personal Goals

Parent Curriculum Foster Parent trainings focus on Cultural and religious backgrounds Working with traumatized youth Issues relevant to all teens – substance abuse prevention, healthy relationships Working with bio families Refugee processing overseas Helping youth adjust to your home Communicating effectively cross-culturally

Higher Education Youth receive assistance pursuing post-secondary education: Governor’s Scholarship College Success Foundation Treehouse Program provides IL services (not eligible for DCYF) FAFSA Workshops, Educational Summits Mirror domestic services including IL, TL, ETV funding

Thank you! Contact: Molly Daggett, MSW Program Manager Office of Refugee & Immigrant Assistance Economic Services Administration Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (O) 206-568-5795 / molly.daggett@dshs.wa.gov