1. Utah refugee health PRogram
Refugee Resettlement 101
Utah refugee health PRogram

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

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

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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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 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

20. 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

21. 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

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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

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

27. Resettlement Agencies in Utah
Provide R & P services during the first 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

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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017
Utah Refugee Health Program Contact Information
Utah Department of Health, Refugee Health Program April 2017