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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Haitian Creole Speakers Can Now Message Settle In for Support
Do you field questions from newcomers who speak Haitian Creole? The Settle In team can help! Settle In responds to direct messages—both through text and voice—on topics including job search, public benefits eligibility, community resources, and more, within one business day. Haitian Creole and French have joined Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, Russian, Spanish, and English as…
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A community advisory board (CAB) is a group of individuals from a specific community who come together to provide guidance, feedback, and support to organizations, projects, or initiatives impacting their community. CABs are often useful in health care, education, research, and community development projects to ensure that the voices of community members are heard and…
- Boston College
This blog showcases how 360° virtual reality (VR) videos are transforming refugee resettlement services in Seattle, Dallas, and Sacramento. With support from Switchboard’s Emerging Technologies Team providers have created immersive experiences that help newcomers navigate education systems, transportation, and community resources before encountering them in real life—building confidence while improving service delivery outcomes. Why Immersive…
- Switchboard
This blog post is Part 1 of our two-part series on workplace rights for newcomers. In this post, we debunk some common employment-related myths about newcomers and underscore accurate facts. For example, it’s a fact that newcomers can begin working while waiting for their Social Security number; newcomers can choose which valid documents to present…
- Switchboard
This blog post is Part 2 of our two-part series on workplace rights for newcomers. If you haven’t read Part 1: Debunking Common Misconceptions, we recommend starting there for important background information that will strengthen your advocacy efforts. This post offers practical tools to help you support newcomer clients in overcoming common workplace challenges. You’ll learn…
- Switchboard
When screening newcomer clients for depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), service providers need mental health screening tools that are simple and easy to use. Below we provide a brief introduction to these tools and links to resources with further information. With appropriate training, referral networks, and organizational support, these tools can be applicable…
- Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers
This blog highlights early childhood education (ECE) as a promising career pathway for newcomers, detailing various roles from child care providers to program directors along with their education requirements. It outlines opportunities to gain practical experience through internships and offers strategies for career advancement through leadership development, certifications, and professional networking. Service providers will find…
- Switchboard