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This info guide provides strategies to encourage newcomer youth and families to participate in programs and services. These strategies can be applied in both mandatory programs (e.g., school attendance, foster care requirements) and voluntary programs (e.g., after-school activities, recreational programs). This guide is especially relevant to support youth participating in the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM)…
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Hosted on May 15th, 2025 the training was delivered by ​​Rob Callus, Training Officer for Community Integration, Switchboard and Teddy Spelman, Program Officer of Tutoring & Instruction, IRC. Refugee and newcomer students are more likely to be bullied and may not understand how to effectively manage these situations, which could lead to further feelings of…
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Addressing bullying is a critical component of ensuring a child’s safety and well-being. It is essential to have ongoing discussions with both the child and their caregiver to reinforce awareness, encourage open communication, and provide guidance on how to handle such situations effectively. Below is a structured script designed to facilitate these conversations, helping caseworkers…
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Two impact and three suggestive studies indicate positive outcomes from strengths-based approaches. Five studies were identified that have examined the outcomes of strengths-based approaches with refugee clients. These studies have addressed diverse outcomes including health, mental health, social support, English proficiency, and cultural and community connections. Strengths-based approaches can take many forms and have shown…
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In this episode of the Switchboard Podcast, “Collaborating with Pediatricians and Families to Care for Newcomer Children,” we discuss the unique challenges and best practices in providing healthcare to immigrant and refugee children. Dr. Anisa Ibrahim, a pediatrician and medical director at Harborview Pediatrics Clinic, shares her expertise on navigating the complexities of pediatric care…
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Hosted on ​December 18, 2024, the training was delivered by ​Claire Hopkins, Training Officer at Switchboard. Service providers and foster parents may face challenges or feel unprepared when assisting URMs dealing with substance use. This webinar will explore the complexities of substance use among URMs and equip providers and caregivers with effective strategies. It will…
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Recruiting foster parents for unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to finding homes for teenagers. While many potential foster parents express a desire to foster, common apprehensions about welcoming teens into their homes may deter them from pursuing licensure.  Hesitancy to foster teenagers is often due to a lack…
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Newcomer adjustment depends on countless individual and systemic factors, and feeling empowered in accessing services in a new community is an essential indicator of success. Newcomer service providers can play a major role in supporting newcomer access to resources in their communities, but it can be tough to know where to start in addressing the…
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Hosted on September 24, 2024, the training was delivered by Dr. Zaid Baha, Medical Director for Genesee Health Systems; Farhad Sharifi, MSW, social worker and cultural expert in the Family Strengthening Intervention for Refugees project at the Research Program on Children and Adversity (RPCA) at Boston College; Said Hasib Arwal, Research Assistant and Cultural Adviser;…
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Hosted on September 18, 2024 the training was delivered by Alex Laywell, Technical Advisor for Education & Youth programs with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Program Excellence team; ​​Sarah Whitman, EdD, Senior Technical Assistance Specialist at AnLar; and, Monica Yudron, EdD is a Senior Technical Assistance Specialist and Research Scientist at AnLar. ​Navigating the American…
