 Divisions
1-Refugee Assistance | 2-Community Resettlement | 3-Unaccompanied Children’s Services | 4-Budget, Policy, and Data Analysis | 5-Anti-Trafficking in Persons
Refugee Assistance
GENERAL BACKGROUND
The Division of Refugee Assistance (DRA) was created to oversee and provide guidance to State-administered programs that provide assistance and services to refugees, asylees, certain Amerasian immigrants, Cuban and Haitian Entrants, and Victims of Human Trafficking (henceforth referred to collectively as “refugees”). DRA monitors program planning, provision of services, and provides technical assistance to ensure compliance with federal regulations governing the delivery of refugee assistance and services, including cash and medical assistance.
MISSION
DRA provides direction to States to ensure that refugees are provided assistance and services through State-administered programs that enable them to become employed and economically self-sufficient as soon as possible after their arrival in the United States.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
Cash and Medical Assistance Program provides reimbursement to States and alternative refugee assistance programs for 100 percent of Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) provided to refugees and other eligible persons, as well as associated administrative costs. ORR clients determined ineligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Medicaid are categorically eligible for RCA and RMA for up to eight (8) months from the date of arrival in the U.S., date of final grant of asylum for asylees, and date of certification for trafficking victims. CMA also reimburses States for medical screening costs through local public health clinics so that contagious diseases and medical conditions that may be a barrier to refugees are identified and treated.
Public/Private Partnership Program provides States the option to enter into partnership with local voluntary resettlement agency affiliates for the provision of refugee cash assistance. Services provided to recipients of Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) in the public/private program may be provided by the local resettlement agencies that administer the public/private RCA program or by other refugee service agencies. Program objectives are to enable or foster a more effective and better quality resettlement while maintaining State responsibility for policy and administrative oversight. ORR currently funds PPP programs in the five States of Maryland, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas.
Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program provides for the care of refugee minors admitted to the U.S. unaccompanied by a parent or adult relative. Minors who are identified in countries of first asylum as requiring foster care upon arrival in this country are sponsored through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). The children are placed in licensed child welfare programs operated by their local affiliates. Eligible minors may also enter the program through family (a) breakdown, (b) grant of asylum, or (c) certification as a victim of trafficking. Each minor in the care of this program is eligible for the same range of child welfare benefits as non-refugee children in the State, with additional services for the preservation of the minor’s ethnic and religious heritage. When possible, the child is placed in an area with nearby families of the same ethnic background. Depending on their individual needs, the minors are placed in home foster care, group care, independent living, or residential treatment. ORR reimburses costs incurred on behalf of each child until the month after his or her eighteenth birthday or such higher age as is permitted under the State’s plan under title IV-B of the Social Security Act.
Refugee Social Services Program allocates formula funds to States to serve refugees in the U.S. less than sixty months (five years). This program supports employability services and other services that address participants’ barriers to employment such as: social adjustment services, interpretation and translation services, (day care for children), citizenship and naturalization services, etc. Employability services are designed to enable refugees to obtain jobs within one year of becoming enrolled in services. Service priorities are (a) all newly arriving refugees during their first year in the U.S. who apply for services; (b) refugees who are receiving cash assistance; (c) unemployed refugees who are not receiving cash assistance; and (d) employed refugees in need of services to retain employment or to attain economicindependence.
Targeted Assistance Program allocates formula funds to States for counties that qualify for additional funds due to an influx of refugee arrivals and a high concentration of refugees in county jurisdictions with high utilization of public assistance. TAP services are the same as Refugee Social Services and are intended to assist refugees obtain employment within one year's participation in the program and to achieve self-sufficiency. TAP service priorities, however, are distinctive in that they prioritize (a) cash assistance recipients, particularly long-term recipients; (b) unemployed refugees not receiving cash assistance; and (c) employed refugees in need of services to retain employment or to attain economic independence.
Cuban Haitian Program provides grants to State and State-alternative programs to fund assistance and services in localities most heavily impacted by an influx of Cuban and Haitian entrants and refugees. Program objectives are to support employment services, hospitals and other health and mental health care programs, adult and vocational education services, refugee crime or victimization programs, and citizenship and naturalization services.
Refugee Preventive Health Program provides grants to States and State-alternative programs and their designated health agencies to provide medical screenings in accordance with the Medical Screening Protocol for Newly Arriving Refugees and follow-up activities to newly arriving refugees. Program objectives are to reduce the spread of infectious disease, treat any current ailments, and promote preventive health practices for good health to facilitate refugees’ full participation in activities that encourage self-sufficiency and integration. Services include medical screening for contagious diseases with associated preventive care treatment, health assessments for chronic and other health conditions harmful to refugees' health, interpreter services, information and referral to local health centers/clinics and Medicaid providers, and follow-up services to ensure appropriate treatment. The program also supports health education and orientation for refugees, as well as implementation of coordinated health projects with other Federal and State offices.
Refugee School Impact Program provides grants to State and State-alternative programs to support impacted school districts with the funds necessary to pay for activities that will lead to the effective integration and education of refugee children. Services target school-age refugees between the ages of five (5) and 18 years of age with program activities that include English as a Second Language instruction, after-school tutorials, programs that encourage high school completion and full participation in school activities, after-school and/or summer clubs and activities, parental involvement programs, bilingual/bicultural counselors, interpreter services and other services.
Services to Older Refugees Program provides grants to States and State-alternative programs, public, and private non-profit organizations, to ensure that refugees aged 60 and above are linked to mainstream aging services in their community. ORR has an interagency agreement with the U.S. Administration on Aging to identify ways in which the Aging and ORR networks can work together more effectively at the State and local levels to improve elderly refugees’ access to services. Program objectives are to (a) establish and/or expand a working relationship with the State Agency on Aging and the local community Area Agency on Aging to ensure all older refugees in the community will be linked to mainstream aging services in their community; (b) provide appropriate services to all older refugees that are not currently being provided in the community; (c) create opportunities to enable older refugees to live independently as long as possible; and (d) develop services for or link older refugees to naturalization services, especially for those who have lost or are at risk of losing Supplemental Security Income and other Federal benefits.
Targeted Assistance Discretionary Program provides grants to States and State-alternative programs to address the employment needs of refugees that cannot be met with the Formula Social Services or Fomula Targeted Assistance Grant Programs. Activities under this program are for the purpose of supplementing and/or complementing existing employment services to help refugees achieve economic self-sufficiency. Services funded through the targeted assistance program are required to focus primarily on those refugees who, either because of their protracted use of public assistance or difficulty in securing employment, continue to need services beyond the initial years of resettlement. This funding requirement also promotes the provision of services to refugees who are (‘hard to reach’) and thus finding greater difficulty integrating. Refugees residing in the U.S. longer than five years, refugee women who are not literate in their native language, as well as the elderly are some of the special populations served by this discretionary grant program.
Community Resettlement
GENERAL BACKGROUND
The Division of Community Resettlement (DCR) provides assistance through public and private non-profit agencies to support the economic and social integration of refugees, asylees, certain Amerasian immigrants, Cuban and Haitian Entrants, and Victims of Human Trafficking (henceforth referred to collectively as “refugees”). The division administers the Voluntary Agency Match Grant Program, the Wilson/Fish Program, Services for Survivors of Torture program, seven competitive refugee social services discretionary grant programs. Discretionary grants are awarded on a competitive basis.
PROGRAM DESCIPTIONS
Matching Grant Program provides grants to voluntary agencies to resettle newly arriving refugees and assist them in becoming economically self-sufficient within the first four to six months in the United States without access to public assistance. The Voluntary Agency Matching Grant Program requires a match from private funds or donated goods and services to partner with monies provided by ORR. For Calendar Year 2006, the program achieved 83% self sufficiency for the 25,000 participants. In CY 2007, the total funding for the program was increased to $60 million. With a per capita increase to $2,200, the MG program will serve 27,272 clients through 240 local affiliates of the Voluntary Agencies.
Wilson-Fish Program is an alternative to the traditional State administered refugee resettlement program for providing assistance (cash and medical) and social services to refugees. The purpose of the WF program is to increase refugee prospects for early employment and self-sufficiency, promote coordination among voluntary resettlement agencies and service providers and ensure that refugee assistance programs exist in every State where refugees are resettled. The program emphasizes early employment and economic self-sufficiency by integrating cash assistance, case management, and employment services, and by incorporating innovative strategies for the provision of cash assistance. ORR currently funds twelve WF programs in the following eleven States: Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, plus San Diego County, CA.
Services to Survivors of Torture Program provides services for the rehabilitation of torture survivors through diagnosis and treatment for the psychological and physical effects of torture, social and legal services, and research and training. ORR awarded 26 grants totaling $9.6 million in FY 2006.
Refugee Agriculture Partnership Program provides opportunities for improving the livelihoods of refugee families in agriculture and food sector business through partnerships with federal, State and local, and public and private organizations that cooperate in the coordination and utilization of resources focused on sustainable income and community food security. This program is also supported by a MOU between the Department of Health and Human Services and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Preferred Communities Program supports the resettlement of newly arriving refugees into communities that provide the best opportunities for integration. Preferred Communities are localities where refugees have excellent opportunities to achieve early employment and sustained economic independence without having to utilize public assistance. These localities also have low welfare utilization by refugees. The Preferred Communities Program also meets the needs of special populations through intensive case management. Preferred Community sites are in 35 States funded at approximately $5.2 million.
Unanticipated Arrivals Program provides additional resources to communities where the recent arrival of large numbers of refugees was not anticipated. Funding for the February 28, 2006, closing totaled $5,954,652.
Ethnic Community Self-Help Program provides assistance to refugee community based organizations to develop the capacity to serve as local service providers and as a bridge to mainstream services and resources. These organizations help the refugee communities to become contributing partners to refugee resettlement and the community overall. Currently there are 45 grantees, funded at approximately $7.2 million.
Technical Assistance Program provides assistance to refugee-serving organizations. The technical assistance providers have expertise in the following areas: outreach to asylees, child welfare, economic development, English language training, employment, housing, microenterprise development, financial planning and asset development, and services to Ethnic Community Self-Help organizations or Mutual Assistance Associations (MAA’s). This technical assistance is made available to the entire ORR service network. Technical assistance is provided by on-site visits, conference calls, publications, workshops, performance measure development, resource identification, collaboration, and trainings specific to the needs of the refugee serving organization. ORR awarded ten grants totaling just over $2 million in FY 2006.
Microenterprise Development Program assists refugees to become financially independent by helping them develop capital resources and business expertise to start, expand, or strengthen their own business. The program provides training and technical assistance in business plan development, management, bookkeeping, and marketing to equip refugees with the skills they need to become successful entrepreneurs. ORR awarded 25 grants totaling $5.3 million in FY 2006.
Individual Development Accounts Program provides matched savings accounts and financial literacy training to low income refugees. The matching funds, together with the refugee’s own savings, are available for purchasing one or more of three savings goals: home purchase, Microenterprise capitalization, and education or training. ORR awarded 7 grants totaling $1.5 million in FY 2006.
Unaccompanied Children’s Services
On March 1, 2003, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Section 462, transferred functions under U.S. immigration laws regarding the care and placement of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) from the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
The DUCS program recognizes the importance of providing a safe and appropriate environment for unaccompanied alien children (UAC) from the time the minor is placed into ORR custody until his/her reunification with family members or sponsors in the U.S. or until he/she is removed to his/her home country by DHS immigration officials. DUCS takes into consideration the unique nature of each child’s situation and child welfare principles when making placement, case management, and release decisions that are in the best interest of the child.
DUCS RESPONSIBILITIES
- Making and implementing placement decisions for the UAC
- Ensuring that the interests of the child are considered in decisions related to the care and custody of UAC
- Reunifying UAC with qualified sponsors and family members, when appropriate
- Overseeing the infrastructure and personnel of ORR-funded UAC care provider facilities
- Conducting on-site monitoring visits of ORR-funded care provider facilities and ensuring compliance with DUCS national care standards
- Collecting, analyzing, and reporting statistical information on UAC
FACTS ABOUT UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN
UAC leave their home countries for the U.S. to rejoin family already in the United States, to escape abusive family relationships in the home country, or to find work to support their families in the home country In FY07, the numbers of children in ORR custody and care ranged from approximately 1,000 to 1,600. Of those, 76% were male and 24% female; 15% were below the age of 14
The most common native countries of UAC are El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.
Native Countries of UAC in FY07| Honduras | 29% | Nicaragua | 1.1% |
| Guatemala | 29% | Brazil | 0.8% |
| El Salvador | 27% | China | 0.61% |
| Mexico | 9% | Other | 3.2% |
| Ecuador | 1.4% |
SOCIAL SERVICES FACILITIES
The majority of children are cared for through a network of ORR-funded care provider facilities, most of which are located close to areas where immigration officials apprehend large numbers of aliens. There are currently more than 40 ORR-funded care provider facilities in 10 different states.
Care provider facilities are state licensed and must meet ORR requirements to ensure a high level of quality of care. The facilities, which operate under cooperative agreements and contracts, provide children with classroom education, health care, socialization/recreation, vocational training, mental health services, family reunification, access to legal services, and case management. Care provider facilities case management teams use effective screening tools to assess children for mental health and victim of trafficking issues.
- Most UAC are placed in shelters and group homes
- If a child requires a higher level of care due to a documented criminal history, secure placement options are available
- For children with special needs (young age, pregnant/parent, acute medical needs, mental health concerns), or who have no viable sponsor to reunite with while going through immigration proceedings, long-term foster care is available through ORR’s refugee foster care program network
- ORR funds certain special programs to serve children with acute medical and mental health needs
PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIPS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF SERVICE
- Coordination of a pro-bono attorney outreach project to pilot pro-bono capacity building models in major immigration apprehension areas so that more UAC can have access to legal representation
- Coordination of a child protection advocacy pilot project based in Chicago
- Development of uniform national standards of care in partnership with ACF Children’s Bureau and child welfare experts
- Development of a comprehensive training program for all ORR-funded facilities and DUCS personnel and partners
- Collaboration and coordination with the ORR Anti-Trafficking in Persons Team to identify victims of trafficking in the UAC population
- Collaboration with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol, the Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), and non-profit community-based legal service providers
Budget, Policy, and Data Analysis
GENERAL BACKGROUND
The Division of Budget, Policy, and Data Analysis (DBPDA) is charged with overseeing the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s (ORR) annual budget, including formulation and execution, as well as allocating and tracking funds for refugee cash and medical assistance and State administrative costs and all other ORR programs, tracking refugee population arrivals, responding to policy and eligibility inquiries, developing regulations and legislative proposals, allocating formula funds for Social Services and Targeted Assistance Programs,
ORR BUDGET
DBPDA attends to both the formulation and execution of ORR’s annual budget. To formulate the budget, DBPDA works with the ACF Office of Legislative Affairs and Budget (OLAB), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Resources and Technology (ASRT), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and Congress. In this process, DBPDA forecasts program costs and prepares data sheets, narratives, and justifications for budget requests. After the President’s budget request is presented to Congress, DBPDA responds to Congressional and other inquiries related to funds appropriation.
Budget execution tasks include allocating quarterly awards for refugee cash and medical assistance and Social Services formula allocations, as well as tracking of funds for refugee cash and medical assistance and State administrative costs, certifying funds availability for ORR expenditures, and reconciling the status of the ORR budget for all programs throughout each fiscal year and at year-end closeout to ensure that all accounts are not deficient.
| Line item | 2005 Actual |
2006 Actual |
2007 Enacted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transitional and Medical Assistance | $204,993,000 |
$265,361,000 |
$ 265,546,000 |
| Victims of Human Trafficking | $9,915,000 |
$9,809,000 |
$ 9,823,000 |
| Social Services | $152,243,000 |
$153,899,000 |
$154,005,000 |
| Survivors of Torture | $9,915,000 |
$9,809,000 |
$9,817,000 |
| Preventive Health | $4,796,000 |
$4,748,000 |
$4,748,000 |
| Targeted Assistance | $49,081,000 |
$48,557,000 |
$48,590,000 |
| Unaccompanied Alien Children | $53,771,000 |
$77,249,000 |
$95,318,000 |
| Total Budget Authority | $484,714,000 |
$552,883,000 |
$587,847,000 |
FY 2006 Formula Budget Actual: $303,853,000
FY 2006 Discretionary Budget Actual: $249,030,000
FY 2007 Formula Budget Estimate: $320,544,000
FY 2007 Discretionary Budget Estimate: $249,072,000
POLICY ACTIVITIES
DBPDA works with other ORR divisions, OLAB, ASRT, the HHS Office of General Counsel, OMB, and others to prepare regulations and develop legislative proposals, as well as respond to legislative, policy, and Congressional inquiries. DBPDA also assists grantees in determining the eligibility of refugee populations for ORR programs and services. DBPDA provides training to ORR grantees on ORR policy, and on immigration status and eligibility for ORR funded benefits and services. Finally, DBPDA performs policy analysis and makes recommendations on a broad range of issues of interest to the Director. In analyzing policies and proposed or enacted legislation, DBPDA also considers the budgetary impact of these initiatives.
DATA ANALYSIS
DBPDA is responsible for the operation and maintenance of ORR Refugee Arrivals Data System (RADS), the central repository for data on refugee populations served by ORR (absent Trafficking and Unaccompanied Alien Children). DBPDA has taken many steps to improve the integrity and completeness of the RADS database by seeking out data from all possible sources, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Department of State. Information from the RADS database is used in determining State formula funds allocations, Targeted Assistance formula allocating, as well as in responding to media, academic, and program inquiries about populations served by ORR grantees.
OTHER ACTIVITES
DBPDA is also responsible for compiling the ORR Annual Report to Congress, conducting the Annual Survey of Refugees, approving cost allocations plans, maintaining the ORR webpage, requesting OMB forms clearance, responding to audits, preparing the annual Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act report, and administering the Refugee Healthy Marriage grant program.
Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division
GENERAL BACKGROUND
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Anti-Trafficking in Persons (ATIP) Division helps certify victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons, as defined by the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, so that these individuals are eligible to receive federally funded benefits and services to the same extent as refugees, and can begin to rebuild their lives in the United States. The ATIP Division is also committed to promoting public awareness and assisting in the identification of trafficking victims by educating the public and persons likely to encounter victims, such as social service providers, public health officials, and legal organizations, as well as ethnic, faith-based, and community organizations.
MISSION
ATIP is committed to helping victims of human trafficking receive the benefits and services they need to rebuild their lives in the United States, with the ultimate goal of turning victims of human trafficking into survivors of human trafficking.
WHAT WE DO
Victim Identification and Public Awareness
Rescue and Restore Campaign
ATIP leads the HHS Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking public awareness campaign, which established Rescue and Restore coalitions in 24 cities, regions and States. These community action groups are comprised of NGO leaders, academics, students, law enforcement agents, and other key stakeholders who are committed to addressing the problem of human trafficking in their own communities.
Rescue and Restore Regional Program
The Rescue and Restore Regional Program serves as the focal point for regional public awareness campaign activities and intensification of local outreach to identify victims of human trafficking. Each Rescue and Restore Regional partner oversees and builds the capacity of a local anti-trafficking network, sub-awarding 60 percent of grant funds to grassroots organizations that identify and work with victims. By acting as a focal point for regional anti-trafficking efforts, Rescue and Restore Regional partners encourage a cohesive and collaborative approach in the fight against modern-day slavery.
Street Outreach Grants
ATIP funds Street Outreach grants to support the identification of human trafficking victims among other vulnerable populations that the grantee organizations are already serving. These populations include homeless and at-risk youth, women and girls exploited through commercial sex, and migrant farm workers.
Assistance for Victims of Human Trafficking
Certifications and Eligibility Letters
HHS is the sole Federal agency authorized to certify adult foreign victims of human trafficking. Similarly, it is the sole Federal agency authorized to provide Eligibility Letters to minor foreign victims of human trafficking. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within HHS issues all Certifications and Eligibility Letters. Certification grants adult foreign victims of human trafficking access to Federal benefits and services to the same extent as refugees. Likewise, Eligibility Letters grant minor foreign victims of trafficking access to Federal benefits and services to the same extent as refugee s, including placement in the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors program, which provides specialized, culturally appropriate foster care or other licensed care settings, according to children’s individual needs . T rafficking victims who are U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) do not need Certification or Letters of Eligibility to be eligible for similar benefits and services.
Per Capita Services Contract
ATIP funds comprehensive support services to victims of human trafficking through a per capita services contract designed to centralize services while maintaining a high level of care for victims of human trafficking. The contract is designed to provide “anytime, anywhere” case management to assist a victim of trafficking to become certified, and to provide other short-term necessary services after Certification, through a network of nongovernmental service organization subcontractors in over 100 locations throughout the country.
Working in concert with the HHS Rescue & Restore public awareness campaign, per capita subcontractors are reimbursed for each human trafficking victim served under their case management. This per capita system ensures the provision of efficient, high-quality services to victims of human trafficking. It also streamlines support services in order to help victims of human trafficking gain timely access to shelter, legal assistance, job training and health care, enabling them to establish lives free of violence and exploitation.
National Human Trafficking Resource Center
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) is a national, toll-free hotline for the human trafficking field in the United States and is reached by calling 1-888-3737-888 or emailing NHTRC@PolarisProject.org. The NHTRC operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year. The NHTRC works to improve the national response to protect victims of human trafficking in the U.S. by providing callers with a range of comprehensive services, including crisis intervention, urgent and non-urgent referrals, tip reporting, and comprehensive anti-trafficking resources and technical assistance for the anti-trafficking field and those who wish to get involved. The NHTRC is able to connect community members with additional tools to raise awareness and combat human trafficking in their local areas, as well as guide service providers and law enforcement personnel in their work with potential trafficking victims. To perform these functions, the NHTRC maintains a national database of organizations and individuals working in the anti-trafficking field, as well as a library of available anti-trafficking resources and materials.