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Newcomer adolescents (10–19 years old) and youth (15–24 years old) face distinct challenges as they navigate young adulthood in a new environment. Service providers can play a pivotal role in supporting this demographic by implementing tailored strategies. This blog post outlines key recommendations for supporting youth health needs in a family-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive…
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Refugee and immigrant children often arrive in the U.S. with unique health care needs and experiences shaped by trauma, displacement, and cultural transition. Service providers play a critical role in ensuring the health, safety, and integration of newcomer children. This blog post outlines key recommendations for supporting newcomer children and their families’ health needs in…
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Hosted on July 16th, 2025, the training was delivered byJasmine Griffin, MA, LPC and Jess Dalpe, LMSW. ​​ Newcomers face unique challenges that increase their risk of experiencing family violence including intimate partner violence (IPV) and domestic violence (DV). Systemic inequality, power dynamics, and social determinants all play a critical role in shaping this vulnerability.…
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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…
