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For our St. Louis folks: Join us on February 14 for our Geosaurus Unleashed presentation to discuss how we can align geospatial mapping with the MO-ORA mission and share relevant resettlement information! We’ll breakdown how we currently use maps and data and hear suggestions from geospatial experts on how we can build and improve those skills. Anyone interested is welcome to attend and lunch will be provided! Wednesday, February 14 at the T-REX building (4th floor) from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
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Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas extended and redesignated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syria, allowing about 6,200 Syrians to potentially retain their deportation protections and expanding eligibility for around 2,00 more people. The decision to extend and redesignate TPS is due to ongoing armed conflict and conditions in Syria that make it difficult for individuals to safely return.
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Afghanistan News & Resources | |
Afghan Support Center Updates
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is hosting an Afghan Support Center in St. Louis at the end of February. This free, 4-day event will serve as a one-stop shop with a variety of resources and direct services provided onsite. Support Centers provide Afghans with services including resettlement agency assistance, public wellness and benefits, mental health resources, educational opportunities, legal counsel, employment, women-specific services, social services and housing. These Support Centers are a follow-up to the Welcome Centers created during the initial phase of Operation Allies Welcome. The primary audience is Afghans who are in the second stage of their resettlement and integration experience. Click here to learn more about the St. Louis event and for on-going updates.
Location: Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, Concourse Ballroom 9801 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63134
Dates & Times:
Wednesday, February 28: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CT
Thursday, February 29: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CT
Friday, March 1: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CT
Saturday, March 2: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT
- Below are event flyers in Dari, English, and Pashto for you to share with clients, community members, and community partners. Thank you for helping us to spread the word about the event!
- Dari
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Pashto
- English
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Service providers in St. Louis who would like to participate in the support center must RSVP using this form. It is not required to attend all four days. As you go through the online registration form, you will reach a screen where you can select the days you wish to attend.
- As you make your plans, keep in mind that Fridays have been their days with the highest attendance, and USCIS and HUD are currently planning to host listening sessions for service providers on Wednesday, February 28.
Resources
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Podcast: The Role of Technology in Resettlement: This episode of the Switchboard podcast features Milad Mozari discussing the role and use of technology with former Afghan refugees Shafi Ahmadi and Sahar Rahimi, exploring their personal journeys and the impact of technology on their resettlement experiences in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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- Uniting for Ukraine by the numbers:
- 3373 MO supporter applications
- 341,861 U4U U.S. supporter applications
- 219,267 U4U beneficiaries approved for travel
- 178,027 U4U arrivals paroled into the U.S.
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KC Office News and Updates |
- Congrats to Jewish Vocational Service for launching their new Digital Literacy program that provides technology and education to clients. Last month, in partnership with Goodwill, JVS distributed 70 free laptops to clients! These computers will allow individuals to work remotely, register for and take classes, and schedule appointments.
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Residents of Kansas City now have the option to obtain the Fountain Card: a municipal identification that facilitates access to city services typically requiring conventional forms of ID such as a driver’s license or state ID. A valid Fountain Card will be accepted as a valid form of identification by the Kansas City Water Services, Kansas City Public Works (including for services like bus transit, streetcar, leaf and brush drop-offs, compost drop-offs, recycling drop-offs, tow lot services, parking services, and permit services.), and Kansas City Parks and Recreation. The Fountain Card will also be used to obtain a library card and open a bank account at local banking institutions like WeDevelopment Credit Union.The card is free for all ages and available to be obtained from the Kansas City Health Department located at 2400 Troost Ave. Click here to see what documentation is needed to obtain the Fountain Card.
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For additional information detailing the success of the Welcome Corp program since the initial 2023 launch, check out this WBUR article!
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I-94 Information: A ‘DT’ in the Class of Admissions field on an I-94 indicates a person has been Paroled. The only individuals eligible for ORR benefits with this Class of Admissions are:
- Cuban/Haitian Entrants
- Afghan Parolees (AHPs) who entered the US between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2023.
- Ukrainian Parolees (UHPs or U4Us) who entered the US between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2023.
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Specified spouses and children of ORR-eligible Afghans and Ukrainians paroled into the US (during the times noted in the bullets above) after September 30,2023. See DCL 24-01 for more information.
- Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of ORR-eligible Afghans and Ukrainian unaccompanied children paroled into the US (during the times noted in the bullets above) after September 30, 2023.
- Primary caregiver(s) of ORR-eligible Ukrainian unaccompanied children paroled into the US (during the times noted in the bullets above) after September 30, 2023.
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Other nationalities (or unspecified Afghans or Ukrainians relatives) admitted with an ‘HP’ or ‘DT’ status are otherwise not eligible for ORR services, including RCA.
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Coming ClientTrack update: RCA ‘Date of Approval’ will soon be added as a column to the ClientTrack database and available for Data Explorer. This will assist agencies with timely referrals to Employment and Training.
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Backdated RCA Applications: MO-ORA cannot accept paper RCA Applications that are older than one month from date of enrollment into ClientTrack. Per federal law (45 CFR 400.50(a)) “A State or its designee agency(s) must provide any individual wishing to do so, an opportunity to apply for cash assistance and must determine the eligibility of each applicant as promptly as possible within no more than 30 days from the date of application.” If any RCA paper application is submitted older than 30 days, an agency must submit the special circumstances for the late application and the request will be reviewed by MO-ORA. Any changes to dates, either in the paper RCA Application or Rights and Responsibilities forms uploaded to ClientTrack, or edits to Case Notes will make the application be considered ineligible for consideration.
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Refugee Medical Replacement Designee: Updates from USCRI | |
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Refugee Health Services – Missouri Office has officially sent out their first newsletter with health-related information and updates. If interested in reading their February Newsletter, click here.
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The MO-RTAC monthly meeting for February is next week! MO-RTAC case managers and supervisors are required to attend. February 14 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00pm. CT
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The date for the TANF 101 Webinar has been changed to Monday, February 26 at 1:00 p.m. CT. Please update this on your calendar if you have already signed up for this webinar, or register at this link.
- The new case closure documentation and process is up on the MO-RTAC SharePoint site! This process is for closing cases that have passed the eligibility point (36 months) have moved out of state or have elected to exit the program. You can find the new exit letter and checklist under MO-RTAC Templates > MO-RTAC Exit Letter (general). The letters are currently in English but updated templates with translations will be uploaded by next week.
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Client Consent Translated Forms: Every client, in order to receive ORR benefits, must agree (consent) to having their information shared based on the language noted at the end of each client’s Intake and Assessment in ClientTrack. Parents/guardians may sign for minors. Translated copies of this section are in the Resources SharePoint site’s ‘Translated Forms’ section. The form is now also available translated into these additional languages:
- Swahili
- Turkish
- Vietnamese
- Haitian Creole
- Kunama
- Oromo
- Karen
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ICYMI: We reflected on the incredible work done throughout 2023 in our most recent blog post. The data compiled outlines Missouri arrival numbers and demographic information to give an inside look at our 1,563 newcomers!
A huge round of applause to our resettlement partners across the state for your tireless efforts in resettling so many individuals. It's so easy to celebrate your accomplishments and overall success!
We hope your 2024 is off to a great start and we cannot wait to see where our resettlement efforts take us.
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Trainings, Webinars, Events | |
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FEMA Youth Preparedness Council Application: The YPC offers an opportunity for teens to share their ideas and feedback with FEMA, improve their leadership skills, and develop preparedness projects. YPC members also participate in an annual youth summit in Washington, D.C. with FEMA leaders and preparedness professionals to network and learn more about the field of emergency management. The application period begins January 22 and closes March 4.
- Once applications are evaluated, FEMA staff will conduct interviews with selected semi-finalists. Successful applicants highlight their preparedness, service and leadership experience and provide a well-rounded overview of their qualifications. FEMA will notify selected candidates in May.
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FEMA will host a Zoom webinar for potential applicants to learn more about the YPC application process and to ask FEMA staff questions about the application. February 27 at 7:00 p.m. CT: Register here
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IISTL Free Tax Preparation Services: Available to IISTL clients, immigrants, refugees, low-moderate income households, and individuals with disabilities. Sessions are by appointment only and can be made in person at the Institute or by phone 314-655-0929. Make sure to bring these required documents to the appointment:
- Identification with a picture: Driver's License, State ID, Permanent Resident or Green Card or Passport for taxpayer and spouse
- Social Security card for every person named on tax return
- Income documentation for taxpayer and spouse: W-2 forms from every job held in 2023, SSA-1099- Social Security payments for 2023, SSI letter from social security, 1099-G Unemployment compensation for 2023
- Form 1095-A health insurance statement
- Federal and State tax returns if you have them
- Expense documentation for 2023 for every person on tax return: 1098 forms listing expenses, records of payments for post-secondary/college education, records of payments for child and/or dependent care
- If you are married and filing your return together, both spouses must be present for e-filing
- A bank account check for tax return direct deposit if desired
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*Lunch and Learn: Housing Tips for Refugee Newcomers- Tenants' Rights & Responsibilities: Once a newcomer becomes a renter, they have rights covered under federal, state, and local laws. These layers of laws prevent housing discrimination while ensuring tenants receive safe, sanitary, and functional housing. This webinar will teach participants about tenants’ rights and renter responsibilities during a lease term. Monday, February 12 at 11:00 a.m. CT
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Grant Writing Boot Camp Webinar: This expert led federal grant writing training covers how to apply and secure federal grants successfully. The webinar is four half days, and an early bird discount is available when registering for the event. February 13-16 at 12:00 p.m. CT
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Grant Management Boot Camp Webinar: Employees new to grant management will learn the skills they need to successfully manage federal awards. Experienced grant professionals will keep up-to-date on changing regulations, deepen their expertise, and gain a renewed feeling of confidence in their abilities. February 20-23 at 12:00 p.m. CT
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Learning from Welcoming Week in México: In 2023, civil society organizations and local governments in Mexico hosted the first national Welcoming Week in Latin America as part of the global campaign. Led by Sin Fronteras and with the support and partnership of Welcoming America, the campaign resulted in 27 events across three major cities in Mexico and large-scale social and traditional media activation. At a time when Mexico is seeing exponential growth in the number and diversity of immigrants settling in Mexico, the campaign came at a critical moment to build social cohesion and advance a positive public narrative of welcoming communities. Wednesday, February 21 at 1:00 p.m. CT
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Mandatory Reporting for Refugee Service Providers: This workshop will cover the basics of mandatory reporting, such as what is considered a reportable situation, to whom service providers should report, and what crucial information to include in a report. The workshop will also ease fears, reduce barriers, and build service providers’ confidence, knowledge, and access to reporting. Register here. Friday, February 23 at 10:00 a.m. CT
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Single Audit Success Academy Webinar: This expert-led grant financial management training dives deeper into the unique fiscal monitoring requirements for federal grant recipients. The webinar is over two half days, and an early bird discount is available when registering for the event. February 27- 28 at 12:00 p.m. CT
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*Fostering Health Equity in Missouri: A Focus on Mothers & Infants: The Uplift Connection is hosting "Fostering Health Equity in Missouri: A Focus on Mothers & Infants" in Chesterfield, MO. The event will feature two days of convening, learning, and collaborating to help address issues related to health and racial equity in maternal and infant health in Missouri. Attendance stipends of up to $500 per person are being offered to anyone planning to attend and requires financial assistance to do so. Stipend applications are due Friday, February 23. Contact [email protected] with questions. March 5 & 6
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English Language Educators Conference: The conference features a keynote speaker and experts panel discussion on policy and practice, followed by breakout sessions for educators and community members. Conference proposals can be submitted here. Thursday, March 28 at 8:00 a.m. CT
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*Call for Abstracts: The National Refugee Health Conference: Co-sponsored by Switchboard, the National Refugee Health Conference (NARHC) will take place in Minneapolis on August 5-7th. NARHC brings together providers, researchers, and advocates working with refugee, immigrant, and migrant populations to exchange knowledge, build skills, and strengthen networks. They are inviting abstract submissions for oral presentations and posters on all topics related to refugee, immigrant, migrant, and asylum seeker health. Share your research, models of care, quality improvement projects, and more. The abstract and submission guidelines, including information about the annual Student and Trainee Abstract Award, are available here. Submit by April 1, 2024. Limited free Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers (SHRP) memberships are still available for refugee, immigrant, and migrant women in healthcare and include a discounted rate to the conference.
*New event/training/webinar added
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Case Management Documentation resources: Switchboard has a new blog regarding Case Management Documentation, with links to guides on ‘Creating High-Quality Case Management Documentation’ and ‘Case Note Template’.
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Immigrants’ Eligibility for U.S. Public Benefits: A Primer: The Migration Policy Institute compiled a report on immigrants’ eligibility for programs and services related to general assistance, health and nutrition, employment and income, education, housing, and driver’s licenses. Many standard eligibility rules that were previously waved during the heigh of the COVID-19 pandemic have been reinstated which could change rules for certain groups.
- 3 Tools to Update Your Cultural Orientation Sessions: Failure to plan for a Cultural Orientation session can result in a disorganized and disengaging session. CORE’s tools and resources ensure effective sessions that increase participants’ ability to retain key messages and information. Check out their top resources:
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Find translated glossaries on the Working with Interpreters page.
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Review the Activity Bank with easy-to-replicate activities, like how to address changing family dynamics.
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Access best practices and essential tips on digital inclusion for refugees on the Teaching Remotely page.
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Case Management Documentation: Making The Paperwork Work For You: While most case managers know that proper documentation is crucial for maintaining ethical standards and program compliance, it can often feel burdensome and overwhelming. This blog post explores ways to streamline processes so that documentation supports, rather than hinders, the compassionate care case managers provide to clients each day.
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World Education Services has launched its Elevating Migrant Leadership: Building Inclusive Futures funding opportunity. The program will award two-year $100,000 grants to seven U.S. organizations that are working to strengthen immigrant and refugee voices and civic leadership skills so they can more effectively influence programs and policies that support improvements in the communities where they live. The initial application process is open through March 25, 2024.
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We look forward to seeing you at our Quarterly Meeting!
Thanks for reading!
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