PUBLISHED BY:
About Confluence Tech conferences are often accused of chasing the next big thing: flashy tools, buzzwords, and speculative breakthroughs. Confluence 2025 took a different path. Switchboard gathered more than 100 refugee service providers, technologists, government partners, and researchers this past June at Civic Hall in New York City for two days of hands-on conversations about…
TOPIC:
SUBTOPIC:
PUBLISHED BY:
As a State Refugee Coordinator (SRC), you play a vital role in supporting newcomers by partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs). To help you strengthen these partnerships, Switchboard gathered insights from CBO leaders and staff through a national survey and input from SRCs through conversations the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) facilitated. This blog offers practical…
PUBLISHED BY:
Introduction In response to workforce shortages and heightened global awareness of Afghan and Ukrainian refugee crises, businesses have shown unprecedented interest in hiring newly arrived refugees. Recognizing this opportunity, Global Refuge launched the Preferred Refugee Employer (PRE) program to help companies welcome newcomers into the workforce through informed, supportive employment practices. Many employers struggle to attract…
PUBLISHED BY:
As measles outbreaks continue to emerge across the United States, service providers working with newcomer populations need accurate information and culturally appropriate resources. Understanding measles transmission, recognizing symptoms, and knowing vaccination recommendations are essential for protecting vulnerable communities. This blog post provides guidance and resources for service providers on measles—a highly contagious viral illness currently…
PUBLISHED BY:
Switchboard is pleased to announce the publication of the pre-recorded private panel discussion “A Holistic Approach to Digital Literacy,” which took place during the confluence “Bridging the Gap between Technology and Resettlement” on September 11, 2024, at the University of Utah. This half-hour session is beneficial for refugee service providers working at state agencies, resettlement…
PUBLISHED BY:
In this episode of the Switchboard Podcast, “Culturally Driven Health Communications,” we explore the critical role of culturally sensitive health communication in supporting immigrant and refugee communities. Our guest, Syreeta Wilkins, a communication strategist at the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC RIM), shares her expertise on creating impactful health materials tailored…
PUBLISHED BY:
This blog post offers practical guidance on supporting Ukrainian newcomers in accessing culturally appropriate food in the United States. It covers topics such as familiar foods, grocery shopping, and finding ingredients for traditional Ukrainian dishes. You will gain an understanding of how to assist Ukrainian newcomers in maintaining their culinary traditions while adapting to their…
PUBLISHED BY:
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…
TOPIC:
SUBTOPIC:
PUBLISHED BY:
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…
PUBLISHED BY:
This video, part two in the series, explores the major service areas and grant programs offered by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). It explains how ORR supports refugees, asylees, unaccompanied minors, and other newcomers by funding programs across four key areas: social adjustment and integration, physical and behavioral health, employment and economic stability, and…
