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.
FEATURED BLOG
2025 Changes to the Naturalization Civics Test: What Service Providers Need to Know
On September 18, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a Federal Register Notice announcing implementation of the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test. Starting on October 20, 2025, the test will consist of 20 questions chosen from a pool of 128 rather than 10 questions from a pool of 100 in the 2008 version. Passing…
Refine Search
The inaugural Refugee Resettlement Research Symposium took place from August 22–24, 2023. From three days of rich discussion, attendees gained perspectives from across sectors, examined policies and programs, and emerged with a renewed commitment to collaboration. Bringing together practitioners, researchers, community members, and government staff, the event was a space to reimagine and revitalize resettlement…
- Switchboard
Navigating the U.S. health care system can be challenging. In this post, we share ideas about how service providers can help prepare newcomer clients for their initial medical appointments. What do clients need to know? Prior to their initial medical appointments, service providers should review with clients how the U.S. health care system works and…
- Switchboard
Organizations in various fields have service providers who specialize in health case management. In this post, we focus on health case management specifically in the resettlement context. We describe the role of resettlement service providers acting as health case managers, as well as important limitations on their scope. How is health case management different…
- Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers
Refugees and newcomers are survivors of violence, persecution, and other complex situations that arise before and during resettlement. After long and dangerous migration journeys, many newcomers believe they are finally safe when they arrive in their new communities. However, life in the U.S. is not always free from peril and discrimination. Refugee and newcomer clients…
- Switchboard
Refugees and newcomers are survivors of violence, persecution, and other complex situations that arise before and during resettlement. Refugee and newcomer clients may, at times, be exposed to sexual and gender-based violence. This blog post shares service provider resources on these topics, which can be used for adult and youth clients. For resources on protection…
- Switchboard
Amidst rising rental prices, increasing application competition, and a dearth of affordable housing stock, the housing search is difficult. Preconceived notions newcomers may have about the U.S. housing market can further complicate the search for case managers or housing coordinators and the newcomers themselves. Below are a few of the most important facts about housing…
- Refugee Housing Solutions