The resettlement process can be extremely difficult for children, particularly when they need to discuss sensitive or potentially traumatic subjects. Using play and play-based methods is a research-proven way to help children feel comfortable and safe, with a sense of agency over their own stories. In this blog post, we explain why play is critical […]
Switchboard
Switchboard is a one-stop resource hub for refugee service providers in the United States. With the support of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), we offer tools and materials, learning opportunities, research, and technical assistance on resettlement-related topics. From employment, education, and health, to monitoring and evaluation, Switchboard’s focus areas reflect real-world needs.
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Are you a service provider working with newcomer clients with disabilities? Newcomers with disabilities may be eligible for supports they do not know exist, especially if disability services were unfamiliar, stigmatized, or inaccessible in their home communities. You do not need to be an expert in every program to help! This blog post gives you […]
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In a shifting resettlement landscape, accurate information about available services has become increasingly important. However, many organizations have less capacity to identify and verify community resources, making it difficult to connect clients with the support they need. When you refer a client to a local service, an unexpected program closure or outdated eligibility information can […]
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As our society becomes more and more digitized, refugee service providers are increasingly expected to support newcomers’ digital literacy in addition to their English language learning. Low English proficiency and limited technology skills feed into each other, making these challenges especially hard to address. This blog post is for resettlement service providers who deliver or […]
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Are you a service provider looking to help your newcomer clients build lasting financial security? This post offers practical, field-tested strategies for building credit, promoting savings, and supporting asset development, that are ready for use in your programming today. For refugee and immigrant service providers, the first 90 days of resettlement are often consumed by […]
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Trauma-focused evidence-based interventions (EBIs) can support healing for children and families who have experienced forced displacement. Most EBIs, however, weren’t designed with newcomer communities in mind. Adapting an EBI to the community you serve helps you reach target outcomes, build trust, and extend care to people that services often miss. Whether you’re a practitioner, a […]
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Are you a supervisor or team leader looking for creative ways to support your team through uncertainty? This blog post explores the role of play in the workplace and introduces unconventional, play-based methodologies that research indicates can help strengthen team connection and renew energy during challenging times. Recognizing Team Changes Leaders are tasked with supporting […]
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Confused about how new policy changes affect newcomer health coverage? Use this blog post to identify alternative services and supports that newcomers may still qualify for. Accessing health care in the United States can be complicated, especially for newcomers. Health coverage helps pay for medical care, prescriptions, and other health-related costs. Historically, most ORR-eligible newcomers […]
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The people who power refugee resettlement in the United States are deeply committed to their work, but what do their days actually look like, and how is the workforce holding up? Switchboard’s Annual Survey of Refugee Service Providers (ASRSP) seeks to fill this gap in our collective knowledge about those who work to support newcomers […]
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Recent federal changes to Employment Authorization Documents are creating new challenges for newcomer workers and the service providers who support them. This blog post outlines what providers need to know and offers practical strategies for keeping clients employed and connected to services during periods of documentation uncertainty. Across the refugee- and immigrant-serving field, providers are […]