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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Find Food Resources for Newcomers in Your City, in Your State, and at the Federal Level
Across the United States, food insecurity is rising, and many low-income families, including refugees, asylees, and other Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-eligible populations, are finding it harder to keep nutritious food on the table. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2023, nearly 47 million people, including 7.2 million children, lived in households that…
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Photo: IRC/A. Oberstadt Humanitarian crises that cause forced migration and displacement often result in people being in less secure and unfamiliar environments. They may be separated from protective family systems and may struggle to meet basic needs. It is common for people to feel things like overwhelm, worry, sadness, confusion, and anger. All of these…
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New to refugee services? This resource collection is for you! This blog post, written in partnership with Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE). shares resources for new refugee service providers organized by topics such as case management, understanding refugee populations, equity and inclusion, mental health, employment, and more. About Refugee Populations and AdmissionsThe Refugee Resettlement Journey, CORE…
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Photo credit: AOberstadt/IRC Housing is a key challenge facing refugee service providers and communities around the U.S. There is an opportunity to coordinate with state or local partners on the use of existing federal programs, Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) 1 and 2, to support clients, including refugees and other Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-eligible clients.…
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Photo credit: Literacy Council of Montgomery County (LCMC) As a longtime teacher of English as a Second Language, and as a program administrator for a WIOA-funded IET program that serves close to 1,200 adult learners, I have made it a priority to support and guide our students, especially those who are immigrants and refugees. I…
- Ahu Moser
The American Rescue Plan, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, provides the largest Child Tax Credit ever. As of July 15, 2021, most families with children are automatically receiving monthly payments of $250 or $300 per child without having to take any action. However, some ORR-eligible populations may be missing out. Below is information about…
- The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in HHS’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
Photo credit: A. Oberstadt/IRC Update (10/4/21): In response to the rapid evacuation and resettlement of Afghans, per the Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022, and effective as of September 30, 2021, Congress has authorized the following: Citizens or nationals of Afghanistan paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021 through September 30, 2022 are eligible for…
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