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
Why Trauma-Informed Surveys Matter—and How to Create Them
Collecting high-quality data is essential in refugee service work, whether for client needs assessments, program evaluations, or organizational learning. But sometimes even well-intentioned surveys can unintentionally create stress, reduce trust, or compromise the accuracy of the data collected. Switchboard’s Trauma-Informed Survey Toolkit (TIST) was developed to help service providers design surveys that are safe, respectful,…
Refine Search
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming humanitarian aid and resettlement services. In this blog post, two experts in the field—Kimberly Mays, a Senior Program Officer for Digital Communications at Switchboard, and Kristy Crabtree, who works in digital innovation within the International Rescue Committee (IRC)’s Violence Prevention and Response Unit—shed light on AI’s potential in resettlement…
- Switchboard
This World Education Services blog post guides resettlement providers on supporting ORR-eligible newcomers’ career development. It emphasizes early discussion of clients’ educational backgrounds, offering strategies to understand skills, build support plans, and navigate credential evaluation. The post further provides practical tips for inquiring about international education, as well as using career tools and setting realistic…
- World Education Services (WES)
Are you seeking materials in Haitian Creole to support clients you serve? Based on requests from providers, this blog post compiles Haitian Creole language resources to help service providers and clients navigate three crucial areas: personal safety, workplace rights, and health care access. Most resources listed below are available in additional newcomer languages as well.…
- Switchboard
The Switchboard Confluence event this fall brought together technology innovators and refugee resettlement professionals to reimagine newcomer support through emerging technologies. This blog post recaps some of the Confluence’s highlights—exploring how ethical tech integration, from artificial intelligence (AI) storytelling initiatives to virtual case management solutions, is transforming refugee services. This blog also includes video links…
- Switchboard
This blog post offers practical guidance on supporting Haitian newcomers in accessing culturally appropriate food in the United States. It covers topics such as familiar foods, grocery shopping, and finding ingredients for traditional Haitian dishes. You will gain an understanding of how to assist Haitian newcomers in maintaining their culinary traditions while adapting to their…
- Emmanuela Douyon
In this blog post, Stefanie Vasquez, Program Manager at World Education Services, shares insights from her conversation with Paula DaSilva-Michelin, EdD, an internationally educated immigrant from Brazil who understands firsthand the barriers newcomers face when trying to re-enter their professions in the United States. As the Director of Programs at the Center for Immigrant Education…
- World Education Services (WES)