REFUGEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Contact: Tom Medina
Department of Social and Health Services
P.O. Box 45857
Olympia, WA 98504
Telephone: 360.725.4636
E-mail: medintr@dshs.wa.gov

Federal Website: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/
Local Link: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/Manuals/eaz/sections/Refugee_App1.shtml

Participation: The Refugee Assistance Program served more than 4,300 participants per month during July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007.

Who is Served: Section 101 (a)(42) of the Immigration and Nationality Act defines the term “refugee” to mean any person who is persecuted or has a well-founded fear of persecution in his or her home country because of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Individuals who are allowed to immigrate to the U.S. as refugees, certain Amerasians, Cuban/Haitian entrants, victims of severe forms of trafficking, and persons granted asylum are eligible for services.

Program Description: The goal of the program is to assist in the resettlement of refugees in Washington state and to promote economic self-sufficiency as quickly as possible. This is accomplished by providing social and employment services, as well as financial and medical assistance. Services include public health screening, foster care if needed, cultural adjustment and social services, citizenship services, English language instruction, bilingual support, skills training, employment services, and job retention services.

The Refugee and Immigrant Assistance section (RIA) in the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) administers the funding for refugee services. The State Coordinator for refugee resettlement works in RIA and is responsible for ensuring the coordination of public and private resources for refugee resettlement in Washington state.

Other Program Characteristics: The program emphasizes:

• Services be provided in a manner that is linguistically and culturally compatible with the refugee’s background.

• English language instruction be provided in a concurrent, rather than in a sequential manner with other program services.

• Offering the same opportunities for training and instruction to refugee women as men.

Program History: The program began in 1975 to help refugees successfully resettle in Washington state. Program services are delivered through contracts with community-based organizations, voluntary refugee resettlement organizations (Volags), state and local government agencies, and private agencies. Washington ranks as the sixth largest state for refugee arrivals, resettling over 5 percent of the total number of refugees who come to the U.S. Over the last five years, an average of nearly 2,600 refugees per year resettled in Washington.

Planning Cycle: Annual.

Outcome Measures: Number of refugees receiving English as a Second Language training, health screening, public assistance, social services, employment services and job placement. For those receiving TANF and Refugee Cash Assistance, the outcome is the number of refugees who obtain employment and become economically self-sufficient.

Funding and Regional Division: The Refugee Assistance Program uses the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and DSHS regional structure for planning and service delivery. Funding is allocated by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement based on the number of refugee admissions to the state.

State Funding: $7,143,600 (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008) State General Funds for employment and English as a Second Language training; $2,186,000 State General Funds for Citizenship services for refugees and immigrants.

Federal Funding: $7,291,000 (Oct. 1, 2007-Sept. 30, 2008) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. $1,200,000 from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Statutory Authority: Federal - Refugee Act of 1980, (P.L. 106-104); the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act; Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 400; State - RCW Chapter 74.