Switchboard Blog

Switchboard’s blog posts offer a wide range of insights on the newcomer experience, including practical tips for navigating the resettlement process, resource lists tailored to community needs, case studies about relevant programs, engaging stories of successful integration, and more.

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Listening for Change: Applying Motivational Interviewing to Support Refugee and Newcomer Goals

Are you a service provider working with refugees and newcomers who are ambivalent about change? This blog describes how you can transition from traditional “advice giving” to a more transformative client-centered approach through Motivational Interviewing, including practical tools you can start using today. Introduction Like all people, refugees and newcomers can be ambivalent about change,…

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Are you a service provider working with refugees and newcomers who are ambivalent about change? This blog describes how you can transition from traditional “advice giving” to a more transformative client-centered approach through Motivational Interviewing, including practical tools you can start using today. Introduction Like all people, refugees and newcomers can be ambivalent about change,…

Across the resettlement network, staff and partners are noticing an uptick in community questions about newcomers. Many people want clarity about who is arriving and how local services support them. These questions usually stem from uncertainty or limited information. When people have few opportunities to interact with newcomers or understand how resettlement works, conversations can…

As funding streams tighten and resettlement agencies operate with fewer staff, building strong community partnerships is critical. Newcomers’ needs are complex, requiring holistic, coordinated responses that no single organization can handle alone. Yet for many providers, developing effective collaborative networks can feel challenging. Through Switchboard’s nationwide mapping and referral efforts, we have seen firsthand how…

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expected to make policy changes that will affect many of the refugees we serve. This information is critical for clients to understand, and we encourage you to share it widely so affected individuals can seek legal assistance when needed. For more resources on supporting clients during this time,…

Are you working with newcomers and curious about evidence-based practices to support your clients, but you have limited time? Did you know that generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) can help you begin the research needed to help identify evidence-based interventions more efficiently. This blog walks you through how to use generative AI responsibly to support research…

Immunizations (also called vaccinations) can help keep communities safe and healthy, especially with the changing of seasons. As we move into the winter months, respiratory illnesses like flu, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumonia become more common. The following blog post contains answers to six questions on common illnesses and vaccines for this time of year. As…