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This blog is for state-level actors and service providers, particularly those navigating transitions in the administration of refugee services. It explores strategies for managing change, preserving service continuity, and building organizational readiness, drawing on Switchboard’s recent conversations with several states who have successfully worked through challenging transitions. State Refugee Programs and Change Management As with…
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A community advisory board (CAB) is a group of individuals from a specific community who come together to provide guidance, feedback, and support to organizations, projects, or initiatives impacting their community. CABs are often useful in health care, education, research, and community development projects to ensure that the voices of community members are heard and…
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Effective resource maps transform scattered information into accessible, actionable knowledge. They highlight appropriate services, reveal gaps in existing networks, and foster collaboration between organizations. For newcomer communities, these tools can be the difference between isolation and community, between barriers and opportunities. This blog explores six innovative mapping projects that are changing how communities connect with…
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Switchboard has developed this toolkit in partnership with the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) to support public and private sector stakeholders involved in resettlement with conducting effective quarterly consultations (QCs). Those stakeholders include State Refugee Coordinators (SRCs), State Refugee Health Coordinators (SRHCs), national and local resettlement agency (RA) staff, ethnic community-based organizations (ECBOs), and others. After…
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The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) developed and implemented a “building officer of the day” (BOD) system to provide immediate support to clients and staff during office hours. This practice addresses the challenge of meeting urgent, time-sensitive client needs. Preliminary data indicates the BOD system positively impacts the timeliness and…
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Hosted on October 30, 2024, the training was delivered by Tigest Coleman MSW, LICSW, Deputy Director, Switchboard; Sarah Diner, MPH, Program Officer, Research, Switchboard; Maya Wahrman, MSW, LSW, Training Officer for Client-Centered Services, Switchboard; and, Megan Rafferty, MA, LPC, LAC, Training Officer for Mental Health, Switchboard . Feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of refugee service…
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The Karen Organization of San Diego (KOSD) has created a new directory of ethnic community-based organizations (ECBOs) across the United States, organized by state. KOSD developed this directory to improve access to services and strengthen support networks for refugee and immigrant communities throughout the country. This resource is designed to support both newcomers and the…
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Building a relationship with your State Refugee Office (SRO) and State Refugee Coordinator (SRC) is an important strategy for the long-term sustainability of your ethnic community-based organization (ECBO) and for strengthening its ability to carry out its mission. This relationship is also critical for the success of refugee resettlement in your state. ECBOs are closest…
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The Importance of Institutional Knowledge Refugee resettlement organizations navigate a rapidly changing landscape shaped by humanitarian crises, shifting policies, and evolving client needs. While this creates dynamic work, it can lead to burnout and turnover, which challenges operational consistency and clarity. According to research conducted by Panopto and McKinsey, employees spend approximately 20% of their…
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Many Ethnic Community-Based Organizations (ECBOs) start informally, with a group of people coming together to help newcomer community members meet urgent needs. Typically, new ECBOs have little if any funding to support their work at first; instead, they are fueled in the beginning by passionate leaders and individuals serving as volunteers. But, as an ECBO…
