Switchboard provides tools, learning opportunities, research, and technical assistance covering a range of topics related to the newcomer experience.
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The resettlement process can be extremely difficult for children, particularly when they need to discuss sensitive or potentially traumatic subjects. Using play and play-based methods is a research-proven way to help children feel comfortable and safe, with a sense of agency over their own stories. In this blog post, we explain why play is critical […]
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The people who serve within the United States refugee resettlement system are its core infrastructure. The quality, consistency, and reach of services for arriving refugees depend directly on the capacity and well-being of the workforce that delivers them. The Annual Survey of Refugee Service Providers (ASRSP) is the first nationwide effort to understand this workforce […]
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Play can be a powerful tool for making spaces feel safer and more welcoming to children. Creating a safe space is especially crucial when working with newcomer children, who experience the stresses of displacement and resettlement. Those working with this population, from therapists to caseworkers, can use play to help children understand complicated processes and […]
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Are you a service provider working with newcomer clients with disabilities? Newcomers with disabilities may be eligible for supports they do not know exist, especially if disability services were unfamiliar, stigmatized, or inaccessible in their home communities. You do not need to be an expert in every program to help! This blog post gives you […]
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As Fiscal Year 2027 brings major changes to Refugee Support Services (RSS), state administrators face new decisions about how their programs run. This guide explains the RSS operating models, how subrecipients are selected and reimbursed, and which services are allowable under federal guidelines. It also covers what the end of RSS set-aside funding means for […]
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Newcomers’ housing challenges reflect the ongoing housing crisis in the United States. Newcomers to the U.S. enter a housing system that is already lacking affordable housing and burdening renters with high costs, leading many refugee clients to face a risk of homelessness. Shelters and emergency housing can offer a critical bridge to stability during a […]
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In a shifting resettlement landscape, accurate information about available services has become increasingly important. However, many organizations have less capacity to identify and verify community resources, making it difficult to connect clients with the support they need. When you refer a client to a local service, an unexpected program closure or outdated eligibility information can […]
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Periods of political instability, political violence, human rights violations, displacement, and economic hardship in Guinea means that Guinean unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) may have experienced significant disruptions before arriving in the United States. URMs may have been exposed to violence, insecurity, food insecurity, disrupted education, or other adverse experiences that can affect emotional well-being and […]
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Many employers face ongoing workforce shortages, while newcomer job seekers often struggle to access opportunities that align with their skills and experience. Strong employer partnerships help bridge this gap in a mutually beneficial way. This tip sheet offers five tips for taking a strategic, relationship-based approach to employer engagement and newcomer job placement: Do your […]
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As remote and hybrid services become standard, service providers need to approach virtual interactions with the same care they bring to in-person ones. This tip sheet offers five considerations for remote case management with newcomers: Choosing the right communication tool for each client and context Securing appropriate language interpretation and setting up for success Building […]
