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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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…
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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…
- Switchboard
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.…
- Switchboard
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…
- Switchboard
Many refugee service providers are asking how to best support clients from Afghanistan during this time of crisis. Below are a few tips that may be helpful to program staff and leaders as they seek to care for clients and staff affected by the situation in Afghanistan. Sharing Information Compassionately The current situation in Afghanistan…
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