Minutes
Meeting of the Georgia Coalition of Refugee Stakeholders
February 17, 2011
I. Welcome: Michael Singleton, State Refugee Coordinator
II. Call to Order and Minutes Approval: BryAnn Chen and Ellen Beattie, Coalition
Co-Chairs
III. Reports Acknowledgment: BryAnn Chen and Ellen Beattie
IV. Speaker: Eskinder Negash, Director of Office of Refugee Resettlement





The Office of Refugee Resettlement is small, they are the “bridge to other
services”.
All of the work that is done is indirectly helping U.S. citizens
Refugees have traditionally been supported by the local community,
predominantly the church. The Federal Government provides services but does
not want to undermine the local services.
Refugee Programs are tied to a country’s values. It is great that we don’t tie
refugee programs to anything like employment. Imagine if we only allowed
refugees into the country who have skills, higher education, or a family.
To all the local agencies, please maintain your traditional ethos. Do not tie your
programs to ORR grant funds.
VI. Question and Answer
Q: Are the expansion of ORR programs proportional to the number of refugees coming?
A: We actually bring fewer refugees than in the past, the 70’s for example
(approximately 130,000).
There has been a lot of expansion in the department and while other programs have
received cuts, the refugee program has not. Cash assistance continues to be a priority.
Q: How can we speak out as a community to inform the Federal Government about the
good works we are doing as a community?
A: You have been doing it! You can examine your values as an organization. Ask
yourselves if you would continue to bring refugees if ORR didn’t provide funds. I
encourage you not to surrender your values and morals to another human being based on
Federal funds.
Q: Have you had an opportunity to talk to refugees?
A: Yes. What he is hearing most is how refugees are changing their communities.
Q: What was your experience with ESL when you came?
A: There was no ESL. We can not make language the number 1 priority when dealing
with refugees.
There are whole communities in California and Miami where English is not spoken
however the people there are very successful. English is very important but not a
determinant of success.
Q: Some elected officials have the perception of refugees as a burden on the U.S. what
can ORR do to advocate?
A: Allow refugees to tell their own story. That’s why collaboration with various
departments is important. The challenge is at the State level rather than the Federal one.
Q: Are there refugee quotas and how is that related to diversity visas? How do your
programs relate to human trafficking?
A: Yes there are. 80,000 refugees is the ceiling and that is followed by quotas by region.
Human trafficking is a new program.
Q: There has been confusion in the state agencies regarding refugees, immigrants, and
undocumented immigrants. Is ORR educating at the national level? What can we do at
the state level to educate?
A: There have been continuous problems particularly at the county level when refugees
are applying for benefits. When the issues are brought to Michael Singleton’s attention
he will always investigate. The agencies are moving towards using Compass, and
electronic submission system, which requires all determinations be made in writing.
Regarding cultural sensitivity, any and all agencies that receive Federal funds must
provide services in the appropriate language. We must continue to educate and do a
better job working with voluntary agencies to find language resources.
Furthermore, we need names to follow up with any issues. The answer may not be in
policy but in procedure. Also, Medicaid is working to develop a LEP person who
understands Title VI.
Q: Any national directives or advocacy regarding English only drivers licenses and Title
VI for refugees?
A: No
Q: Is ORR planning to fund health and mental health initiatives?
A: ORR currently provides preventive health services. Starting 2014 every refugee will
be served under the Affordable Care Act! The challenge is to ensure refugees can
navigate the system.
Comment: The Bhutanese Community of Georgia would like to bring attention to the
crime rate in Clarkston and the lack of cultural sensitivity displayed by many case
workers.
VII. Presentation of Certificates: to Service Provision Redesign Workgroup and to the
Inter-Agency Collaboration Workgroup
VIII. Presentation of Plaques: to the Inaugural Co-Chairs of Coalition, BryAnn Chen
and Ellen Beattie
Michael Singleton acknowledged the work of his staff
IX. Election of Co-Chairs
BryAnn Chen and Ellen Beattie stepped down. Marianne Chung, Associate Director of
CPACS and Frances McBrayer, Program Director at Catholic Charities of Atlanta were
nominated.
X. Acceptance of Positions
Marianne Chung and Frances McBrayer accept the position as Co-Chairs of Georgia
Coalition of Refugee Stakeholders.
XI. Announcements.

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
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Catholic Charities of Atlanta in partnership with RRISA have developed a savings
match program to help refugees, asylees, and Cuban/Haitian entrants open savings
accounts for vehicle purchase, school attendance, or home down-payment. The
next orientation is Saturday February 26, 2011 at 9:00 am.
2011 USCIS grant is underway. April 1st is the deadline
There is currently a backlog of IR30s
I76 is the new employment documentation permit and advanced parole to leave
the country.
Admas radio is offering a new program in which voluntary agencies are offered
free air time. Call 404-929-0000 or email: editor@dinqmagazine.com
Next Meeting: TBD
Minutes prepared by: Zakiya Sloley
Somali American Community Center
zsloley@gmail.com
404.492.4989
02/17/2011
Georgia Coalition of Refugee Stakeholders Meeting Agenda
Agenda
Meeting of Georgia Coalition of Refugee Stakeholders
February 17, 2011
9:00AM – 12:00 PM
Clarkston Community Center
I.
Welcome---------------------------------------------- Michael Singleton
II.
Call to Order and Minutes Approval ---------- Ellen Beattie, BryAnn Chen
III.
Reports Acknowledgement --------------------- Ellen Beattie, BryAnn Chen
State Refugee Coordinator – Michael Singleton
State Refugee Health Coordinator – Monica Vargas
Voluntary Agencies – Frances McBrayer
USCIS – Joe Kernan
DHS/DFCS – Sokhan Ket
DHS Service Provision Redesign – Suzanne Autumn
Refugee Participation – Howard Wright
Improved Language Access in Health Care and Schools
Refugee Organizing in Action Network – Susan Pavlin
IV.
Introduction of Speaker -------------------------------------- Michael Singleton
V.
Speaker ------------------------------------------------ Eskinder Negash, Director
Office of Refugee Resettlement
VI.
Question & Answer Period ---------------------------------------- Stakeholders
VII.
Presentation of Certificates ---------------------- Ellen Beattie, BryAnn Chen
VIII. Presentation ----------------------------------------------------- Michael Singleton
IX.
Election of Co-Chairs ----------------------------- Ellen Beattie, BryAnn Chen
X.
Acceptance of Position
XI.
Announcements
Next Meeting
Day, Time, Location and Focus – to be Announced
GEORGIA COALITION OF REFUGEE STAKEHOLDERS
Core Mission
To coordinate public and private resources in a manner that encourages effective refugee
resettlement and promotes refugees’ economic and social self-sufficiency and well being as
quickly as possible after arrival in the United States.
Purpose

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
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To plan and coordinate the appropriate placement of refugees in advance of their arrival.
To serve Refugees, Asylees, Cuban and Haitian Entrants, Certain Amerasians from Vietnam, Victims of Severe Forms of
Trafficking and Others as authorized by law.
Coordinate cash and medical assistance with support services.
Provide for the care and supervision of, and legal responsibility for, unaccompanied refugee children in the State.
Provide that assistance and services will be provided to refugees without regard to race, religion, nationality, sex or political
opinion.
Guiding Principles



Ensure the successful use of cash and medical assistance to encourage effective refugee resettlement through employment and
economic self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.
Ensure that language training and employment services are made available to refugees receiving cash assistance, and to other
refugees.
Ensure coordination of public and private resources in refugee resettlement in the State.
02/11/2011
Georgia Coalition of Refugee Stakeholders Meeting - Georgia State Refugee Coordinators Report
Georgia Department of Human Services/Division of Family and Children Services/Office of Family Independence
Refugee Resettlement Program
Georgia State Refugee Coordinator Report
October 1, 2010 to January 31, 2011
Reports and Attachments
Annual Service Plan/ORR-6
Refugee Program Unit Meetings and Outreach July – September 2010
Refugee School Impact End of Project Final Report
Annual Outcome Goal Plan FY 2011
Cuban-Haitian Semi Annual Report 2
Robert Wood Johnson Final Report
Refugee Program Unit Meetings and Outreach
Services by Funds for 10/1/2010 to 12/31/2010
Services by Time-in-Country for 10/1/2010 to 12/31/2010
Refugee Arrivals by Country of Origin FY 2004 - 2011
Refugees Arrivals by County for FY 2004 - 2011
Refugee Arrivals by School Age for 1/1/2010 to 12/31/2010
Refugee Arrivals by Age for 10/1/2010 – 12/31/2010
Refugee Arrivals by County for 10/1/2010 – 12/31/2010
Refugee Arrivals by Gender for 10/1/2010 t0 12/31/2010
Refugee Arrivals by Origin for 10/1/2010 to 12/31/2010
Service by Type for 101/1/2010 to 12/31/2010
Service Types by Time-in-Country for 10/1/2010 to 12/31/2010
Reports Submitted by Refugee Serving Agencies to Funding Organizations
Jewish Family & Career Services; Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
Monitoring Report; September 20-22, 2010
Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta; SemiAnnual Performance Report; April 1, 2010 – September 20, 2010
Refugee Women’s Network, Microenterprise Program; Application for
Continuation
Refugee Women’s Network; ORR Microenterprise Development
Program; Statistical Reporting Form
Refugee Women’s Network; Semi-Annual Report for the Period April 1,
2010 to September 30, 2010
In Memoriam - Howard Tygrett, Mayor of Clarkston, Georgia
The Georgia State Refugee Program would like to express its sincere sympathy and condolences to the family of Mayor Howard
Tygrett on his untimely death in December 2010. Mayor Tygrett made invaluable contributions to the citizens of Clarkston, Georgia
and especially to the Refugees that held a very special place in his heart. He will truly be missed.
New Reports
The State Refugee Program is unveiling several new reports to assist the Refugee Community in understanding service trends and
the impact of Social Services and Targeted Assistance Grant dollars. They are:




Services by Type – provides information by the actual type of service and the total number of refugees (duplicated) that
received that particular service during the period listed in the heading.
Service Types by Time-in-Country – provides information by the actual type of service and the total number of
refugees (duplicated) that have received the service by the length of time that the refugee has been in the U.S. from the
refugee’s date of arrival during the period listed in the heading.
Services by Funds – provides information by the actual type of service and the total dollar amount that has been
expended during the period listed in the heading.
Service by Time-in-Country – provides information regarding the total number of refugees (duplicated) that have
received a service by the length of time in the U.S.
Philip Gladney will be providing more details by March 4, 2011.
New Leadership at DHS
Governor Nathan Deal has appointed Clyde L. Reese, III, Esq. as the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Services.
Sharon King has been appointed as Deputy Commissioner. Reporting to Ms. King will be Rachelle Carnesale – the newly
appointed Director of the Division of Family and Children Services. Commissioner Reese will be reorganizing the Department level
and Director Carnesale will be reorganizing the Division.
Contracts for Fiscal Year 2012
The Social Services and Targeted Assistance Grant funds for FY 2012 have been identified. The Refugee Program Team will be
holding a meeting with all of the SSG and TAG funded contractors to determine the funding levels for FY 2012 contracts during the
first week of March. The Team plans to have the contracts completed and sent to the DHS Contracts Section no later than March
31, 2011.
School Impact Grant
Contracts for the School Impact Grant have been completed and sent to the contractors for signature. Most have been returned and
are fully executed and services have begun. A revised monthly reporting is in place and technical visits have been made or
scheduled to assure compliance.
02/11/2011
Georgia Coalition of Refugee Stakeholders Meeting - Georgia State Refugee Coordinators Report
Please note that the School Impact Grant allows us to provide services to any school system in Georgia that serve Refugees that
have been in the U.S. for less than 3 years.
Cuban – Haitian Discretionary Grant
All contracts are fully executed and services are being provided.
Of Special Interest and Noteworthy Activities


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Torture and Trauma Survivors Training Seminar by Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, Inc. held in November 2010
Georgia Council of International Visitors informational meeting in November 2010
Presentation to Georgia Department of Education Monthly Titles Program Meeting on School Impact Grant Services in
November 2010
Newly appointed Interim Director of Refugee Women’s Network – Jessamyn Ressler-Maerlender, MPH
Leann Malone is the newly appointed Development Director at Refugee Family Services
USCIS training on illegal law practices held in November 2011
02/11/2011
Georgia Coalition of Refugee Stakeholders Meeting - Georgia State Refugee Coordinators Report
Refugee Arrivals by Origin for 10/1/10-12/31/10
Source: Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing System (WRAPS) Db
NationalOrigin
Total
AFGHANISTAN
8
BHUTAN
195
BURMA
277
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
3
CUBA
7
DEMOCRACTIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
4
ERITREA
25
ETHIOPIA
4
IRAN
3
IRAQ
80
LAOS
7
MOLDOVA
5
PITCAIRN
6
SOMALIA
43
SRI LANKA (Ceylon)
9
SUDAN
2
UKRAINE
1
Total
679
Services by Type for 10/1/10-12/31/10
Source: Georgia State Refugee Db
Type of service
After-School Program
Case Management/Psychology Assessment/Counseling
Citizenship & Naturalization - App
Citizenship & Naturalization - LPR App
Community Education Session
ELI All Levels
Health Care II
Information & Referral
Men's Support Group Session
Phase I - Needs Assessment
Phase II - Job Orientation, Job Placement
Phase II - Service Provision - Emergency/Crisis Intervention
Phase II - Service Provision - Health Care
Phase II - Service Provision - Home Management
Phase II - Service Provision - Home Mgmt, Emerg Crisis,
Healthcare
Phase II - Workplan Development & Management
Phase III - 90-Days Follow-Up
Phase IV - 1 Year Follow-Up
Phase V - Training
Phase V -Vocational Training, Work Experience
Upgrade Workshop
Women's Support Group Session
Total
Total
424
60
11
365
74
2773
486
319
92
366
102
23
197
237
362
210
158
63
9
106
4
176
6617
02/11/2011
Georgia Coalition of Refugee Stakeholders Meeting - Georgia State Refugee Coordinators Report
Refugee Arrivals by School Age for 1/1/10-12/31/10
Source: Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing System (WRAPS) Db
County Name
Total
Barrow
1
Catoosa
3
Cherokee
4
Clarke
1
Cobb
1
Colquitt
3
DeKalb
598
Fulton
213
Gwinnett
14
Jackson
3
Murray
2
Whitfield
8
Total
851
Refugee Arrivals by Age for 10/1/10-12/31/10
Source: Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing System (WRAPS) Db
18 & Under
Gender
Total
Female
113
Male
159
Total
272
19 & Over
Gender
Total
Female
187
Male
220
Total
407
Refugee Arrivals by County for 10/1/10-12/31/10
Source: Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing System (WRAPS) Db
County Name
Total
Barrow
5
Catoosa
7
DeKalb
471
Fulton
173
Gwinnett
16
Houston
6
Muscogee
1
Total
679
Refugee Arrivals by Gender for 10/1/10-12/31/10
Source: Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing System (WRAPS) Db
Gender
Female
Male
Total
Total
300
379
679
02/11/2011
Georgia Coalition of Refugee Stakeholders Meeting - Georgia State Refugee Coordinators Report
Refugee Arrivals by County for FY 2004-2011
Source: Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing System (WRAPS) Db
County
Name
Barrow
Bartow
Bibb
Carroll
Catoosa
Chatham
Cherokee
Clarke
Clayton
Clinch
Cobb
Colquitt
Columbia
Coweta
Dawson
DeKalb
Douglas
Effingham
Fayette
Floyd
Forsyth
Fulton
Gwinnett
Hall
Henry
Houston
Jackson
Liberty
Lowndes
Madison
Murray
Muscogee
Newton
Paulding
Rockdale
Walton
Whitfield
Grand Total
by Fiscal
Year
FY2004
(Oct 2003
thru Sept
2004)
FY2005
(Oct 2004
thru Sept
2005)
FY2006
(Oct 2005
thru Sept
2006)
7
6
7
FY2007
FY2008 (Oct FY2009 (Oct FY2010 (Oct FY2011 (Oct
(Oct 2006
2007 thru
2008 thru
2009 thru
2010 thru
thru Sept
Sept 2008) Sept 2009) Sept 2010) Sept 2011)
2007)
5
4
1
5
6
3
7
16
3
5
51
57
26
2
22
25
47
4
23
29
1406
1
1241
957
6
1193
3
2
4
5
12
3
19
1673
3
3
3
16
47
11
5
28
4
2351
12
11
13
9
1
2225
1
471
2
3
339
208
4
8
242
123
9
3
233
145
10
4
12
231
110
1
1
2
369
194
2
613
157
12
823
79
173
16
3
6
13
8
2
2
48
16
25
2165
53
12
24
8
7
12
13
5
1860
9
3
1457
8
7
1
22
6
3
4
4
6
13
4
5
4
5
4
3
4
26
2340
3274
3230
1624
1
2
679
Total
25
4
10
5
7
5
43
21
184
3
203
24
6
28
4
11517
11
2
5
2
12
3023
1032
25
18
18
21
2
11
142
10
37
43
7
22
60
37
16629
02/11/2011
Georgia Coalition of Refugee Stakeholders Meeting - Georgia State Refugee Coordinators Report
Refugee Arrivals by Country of Origin for FY 2004-2011
Source: WRAPS Db
Country of Origin
FY2004 (Oct 2003
thru Sept 2004)
FY2005 (Oct 2004
thru Sept 2005)
FY2006 (Oct 2005
thru Sept 2006)
FY2007 (Oct 2006
thru Sept 2007)
FY2008 (Oct 2007
thru Sept 2008)
FY2009 (Oct 2008
thru Sept 2009)
FY2010 (Oct 2009
thru Sept 2010)
FY2011 (Oct 2010
thru Sept 2011)
Grand Total by
Country
AFGHANISTAN
39
75
46
16
4
25
21
1
63
8
293
3
14
6
4
1
557
1004
714
195
2470
546
223
1
799
116
867
25
938
28
277
3484
10
11
1
3
1
ANGOLA
AZERBAIJAN
BELARUS
BHUTAN
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
BURMA
BURUNDI
8
14
7
CAMBODIA
29
74
1
3
3
13
2
82
32
8
33
10
32
24
40
11
34
203
28
63
83
45
17
8
72
4
4
59
16
CHINA
19
2
12
24
30
18
336
3
1
COSTA RICA
CUBA
DEMOCRACTIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
ECUADOR
ETHIOPIA
GAMBIA
INDIA
IRAN
76
1
104
38
3
51
428
1
90
399
KUWAIT
17
LEBANON
311
17
1
155
MAURITANIA
78
MONTENEGRO
26
1
5
3
1
1
55
7
17
18
18
7
10
8
13
6
353
22
1
2
23
2
13
6
59
861
123
50
9
2
32
514
15
360
2
216
57
70
27
1
1
4
VIETNAM
25
10
67
14
7
84
4
5
17
9
20
7
11
1
5
4
9
5
1
2
106
6
16
2
38
1
6
117
797
65
3
110
6
1
9
20
7
119
31
4
90
9
2
40
1
1860
212
47
2
270
3
75
1
1457
1624
110
217
24
42
43
9
2
36
402
2
3
5
58
1
2
4
1
15
1
1
5
1
3274
109
31
473
1
13
2340
2591
15
ZAMBIA
2165
41
631
8
ZIMBABWE
Grand Total by Year
492
1325
3
1
8
UGANDA
UZEBEKISTAN
3
80
1
TUNISIA
UKRAINE
67
382
1
370
1
3
SYRIA
TOGO
777
6
1
22
11
SRI LANKA (Ceylon)
SUDAN
1
1
SENEGAL
SOMALIA
497
10
PITCAIRN
SLOVENIA
25
4
1
PANAMA
PHILLIPINES
SERBIA
188
80
334
1
PAKISTAN
RWANDA
429
7
52
11
48
NEPAL
RUSSIA
7
4
4
1
10
KOREA, NORTH
NIGERIA
1
96
156
4
KENYA
MOLDOVA
38
3
JORDAN
LAOS
8
92
4
74
16
IVORY COAST
LIBERIA
9
19
6
1
INDONESIA
IRAQ
5
18
18
1
115
67
24
8
EGYPT
ERITREA
488
2
7
3
8
7
CHAD
CONGO
14
8
14
15
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
COLOMBIA
5
14
14
3230
679
16629
October 2010 Refugee Programs Unit Meetings and Outreach
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Stakeholders
Subcommittee for
Phillip Gladney
Date
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
10/7/2010
Service Redesign
Committee Meeting
Y. McDonald
Date
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
10/5/2010
RSIG Service
Providers Meeting
Y. McDonald
Date
13-Oct-10
Staff Attended
National Immigrant
Integration
Mukhtar Ismail
Date
09/29/2010--10/1/2010
Meeting/Conference
Service Redesign
Committee Meeting
Y. McDonald
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
Meeting/Conference
VOLAG Meeting
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Staff Attended
Date
Y. McDonald, G.
Caspar, M. Ismail, M.
20-Oct-10
Meeting/Conference
DTC
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Phillip/George/Janet
and Staff
10/28/2010
Staff Attended
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Bridging the Cultural
Gap: Transliteration,
Y. McDonald
Date
10/7/201
Date
Meeting/Conference
Best Practices in
Education Secondary
Y. McDonald
Meeting/Conference
Date
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
10/7/2010
The Challenges of
Culture and Trauma
Y. McDonald
10/8/2010
Date
Date
Staff Attended
Staff Attended
Date
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
26-Oct-10
School Drop-Out
Committee Meeting
Y. McDonald
19-Oct-10
ACF Strengthening
Families Coalition
Y. McDonald
22-Oct-10
Employment Upgrade
Meeting at LSG
M. Ismail,
A.Roseboro, M.
10/28/2010
Refugee Orienation to
the U.S. Towrads
Y. McDonald
10/7/2010
The Refugee School
Impact Program
Y. McDonald
10/8/2010
Accessing
Educational Services
Y. McDonald
10/8/2010
November 2010 Refugee Programs Unit Meetings and Outreach
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
"Building Community
Awareness:
Y. McDonald, M.
Ismail, G. Caspar, P.
11/5/2010
Meeting/Conference
Meeting with M.
Wren, Director of
M. Singleton, M.
Ismail, A. Roseboro
11/10/2010
Meeting/Conference
Somali Children's
Healthcare Relief
Mukhar Ismail
Meeting/Conference
Medicaid Unit
Staff Attended
Mukhtar Ismail
13-Nov-10
Staff Attended
Date
Staff Attended
Date
RSIG Consultation
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Y. McDonald
Staff Attended
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
3-Nov-10
GaDOE Title I
Educational Support
Y. McDonald
11/17/2010
Service Provision
Redesign Work
Y. McDonald
18-Nov-10
Strengthening
Families Coalition
Y. McDonald, M.
Singleton, A.
11/29/2010
Community &
Economic
Mukhtar Ismail
11/18/2010
Date
Meeting/Conference
Date
Assistance to Asylum
seekers
Venessa Truitt, G.
Caspar
11/9/2010
Date
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
8-Nov-10
Georgia Council of
International Visitors
M. Singleton, Y.
McDonald
16-Nov-10
Early Education
Forum
M. Singleton, A.
Roseboro, G. Caspar,
18-Nov-10
Service Provision
Redesign Work
Y. McDonald
11/30/2010
Meeting/Conference
USCIS Meeting
Staff Attended
A. Roseboro
Date
11/16/2010
December 2010 Refugee Programs Unit Meetings and Outreach
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
Meeting at Refugee
Family Services
A. Roseboro
12/7/2010
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
BRYCS Quarterly
Conference Call
Y. McDonald
12/8/2010
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
Date
Meeting at
International Rescue
A. Roseboro, P.
Gladney
12/9/2010
Meeting/Conference
Finance Meeting
Staff Attended
Refugee Program
Unit
9-Dec-10
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
MAVPP Violence
Prevention Breakfast
A. Roseboro, Y.
McDonald
10-Dec-10
Meeting/Conference
Refugee Staff
Training
See comments
Meeting/Conference
17-Dec-10
Staff Attended
Service Provision
Redesign Work
Y. McDonald
Date
Staff Attended
Date
14-Dec-10
Human Trafficking
Grant Meeting
M. Singleton, A.
Roseboro, Y.
12/22 & 12/30/2010
January 2011 Refugee Programs Unit Meetings and Outreach
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
American Friends
Service Committee
Mukhtar A Ismail
1/20/2011
DFCS Division
Director Meet-n-Greet
All
1/24/2011
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
Meeting/Conference
Staff Attended
Date
Goodwill of North
Georgia
Mukhtar A Ismail
1/20/2011
Service Provision
Redesign Workgroup
M. Singleton, P.
Gladney, G. Caspar,
27-Jan-11
Service Types by Time-in-Country for 10/1/10-12/31/10
Source: Georgia State Refugee Db
Type of service
After-School Program
Case Management/Psychology Assessment/Counseling
Citizenship & Naturalization - App
Citizenship & Naturalization - LPR App
Community Education Session
ELI All Levels
Health Care II
Information & Referral
Men's Support Group Session
Phase I - Needs Assessment
Phase II - Job Orientation, Job Placement
Phase II - Service Provision - Emergency/Crisis Intervention
Phase II - Service Provision - Health Care
Phase II - Service Provision - Home Management
Phase II - Service Provision - Home Mgmt, Emerg Crisis, Healthcare
Phase II - Workplan Development & Management
Phase III - 90-Days Follow-Up
Phase IV - 1 Year Follow-Up
Phase V - Training
Phase V -Vocational Training, Work Experience
Upgrade Workshop
Women's Support Group Session
Total
Under 90 90 Days 1-2
2-3
3-4
4-5 Over 5
Days
1 Year
Years Years Years Years Years
7
44
139
121
97
14
2
36
14
6
4
1
1
9
3
7
347
7
1
7
15
25
24
3
531
812
762
422
186
47
13
479
6
1
137
135
29
9
1
8
16
32
36
8
134
76
100
44
5
7
5
39
34
18
2
4
12
8
1
2
139
58
134
79
20
3
1
146
147
43
25
1
38
69
67
26
6
4
49
77
21
5
5
1
54
8
1
3
3
3
16
61
23
6
4
4
32
64
64
12
1845
1690
1830
815
317
84
36
Total
424
60
11
365
74
2773
486
319
92
366
102
23
197
237
362
210
158
63
9
106
4
176
6617
Services by Funds for 10/1/10-12/31/10
Source: Georgia State Refugee Db
Type of service
After-School Program
Case Management/Tracking/Follow-Up/Psychology
Assessment/Counseling
Citizenship & Naturalization - App
Citizenship & Naturalization - LPR App
Community Education Session
ELI All Levels
Health Care II
Information & Referral
Men's Support Group Session
Phase I - Needs Assessment
Phase II - Job Orientation, Job Placement
Phase II - Service Provision - Emergency/Crisis Intervention
Phase II - Service Provision - Health Care
Phase II - Service Provision - Home Management
Phase II - Service Provision - Home Mgmt, Emerg Crisis,
Healthcare
Phase II - Workplan Development & Management
Phase III - 90-Days Follow-Up
Phase IV - 1 Year Follow-Up
Phase V - Training
Phase V -Vocational Training, Work Experience
Upgrade Workshop
Women's Support Group Session
Total
Funds
$53,000.00
$9,900.00
$2,200.00
$73,000.00
$6,660.00
$230,629.50
$34,020.00
$39,875.00
$8,280.00
$91,500.00
$25,500.00
$3,450.00
$29,550.00
$35,550.00
$54,300.00
$42,000.00
$7,900.00
$3,150.00
$900.00
$56,699.50
$200.00
$15,840.00
$824,104.00
Services by Time-in-Country for 10/1/10-12/31/10
Source: Georgia State Refugee Db
Time Period in US
Under 90 Days
90 Days - 1 Year
1-2 Years
2-3 Years
3-4 Years
4-5 Years
Over 5 Years
Total
Total
1845
1690
1830
815
317
84
36
6617
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
TRIMESTER PERFORMANCE REPORT TO ORR
June July, August, September- 2010
Schedule A: Program Narrative
I.
MONITORING & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Social Services & Targeted Assistance Contracts
During June, July, August, and September, 2010 the Georgia Refugee Resettlement Program
(GRRP) administered activities for contracts begun on September 30, 2009 which will end
September 29, 2010. These contracts combined the Social Services Grant (SSG) and
Targeted Assistance Formulary Grant (TAG) funds into one contract vehicle per agency to
allow improved allocation decisions, policy development and program monitoring. Each fund is
limited to the allowable services as spelled out in the federal regulations.
All contracts will be reviewed monthly to evaluate service output. The review of monthly data
base, invoice and monthly report indicates whether contractors were meeting qualitative and
quantitative goals in each service area and/or whether goals needed to be revised in order to
better meet the needs of the refugees. Results indicated that the contractors were generally
meeting minimum standards and contractual requirements. The following are services funded
by the GA Refugee Resettlement Program with SSG and TAG funds:
1. English Language Instruction During the third trimester, the two contractors providing
ELI had a combined Performance Based Outcome of 64.71% Attendance Rate and
94.02% of those with continued attendance Met Goals and Objectives. Individually, both
providers exceeded the percentage rates required by the State Refugee Resettlement
Unit. One of the two contracts was spent out by May, 2010. The other contractor was
spent out by the end of August, 2010. A significant number of students are unable to be
assessed within NRS educational functioning parameters testing Emergent learners are
placed using informal assessments and observation. A program with specialized
curriculum was developed for these learners where basic workplace, survival and civic are
emphasized. There are presently sixteen classes using this curriculum. Students are not
bound by the academic quarter calendar and progress is based on teacher
recommendation. Instruction is self-paced. Advancement is fluid and individualized.
Obstacles:
Attendance and retention continues to be a problem. Students make significant progress if
they can attend with regul
arity. Family and work obligations often interrupt
attendance and retention.
Transportation was not provided in this third trimester. Funding was overspent. Although
there was concern due to the lack of transportation and how this would affect attendance,
the numbers surpassed all expectations.
Students who register and are assessed but do not return for class entry remain a
challenge. 33% of all who enroll con
sistently do not return for classes. Student hours
ad no-shows are reported to the DFACS Refugee Unit each month.
1
Successes:
Classes divided by skill level have proven to be very successful. Grouping by skill level
encourages participation and cooperation. Getting a job and keeping a job are important
preparations for every level. Students are taught in daily activities and getting and keeping
a job is stressed throughout the program. Higher levels prepare resumes and learn
workplace etiquette. American workplace protocol is discussed and compared to other
cultures. Students practice English as it is used in the workplace and in social interaction.
2. Employment Services During this third trimester, two contractors providing EMP had a
combined Performance Based Outcomes of 99.34% in job referrals, 100% in job
orientation, 75.24% in job placement, 50.28% in clients getting off TANF/RCA due to being
employed, 79.17% still working after 90 days and 52.03% still working at 1 year after job
placement. Both contractors were below the percentage required for clients getting off
TANF/RCA after being placed in a job and for those still employed after one year. Both
contractors are already aware that there are errors regarding data input that has skewed
the numbers and they are working on this. After corrections have been made to the
database, we will reevaluate these areas. During this trimester, 237 job placements were
made. One contractor states there was a 44% increase over the previous trimester. This
also represents a 62% increase over the numbers placed in the third trimester in fiscal
year 2009. There appears to be a significant boost in hiring in the service industries as
well as the poultry industry. Other sources of multiple job placements were in construction,
janitorial and food services. Wages ranged from $7.25 to $10.50 with an average of $8.00.
Both contractors continue to work to diversify the employer base.
Obstacles:
The absence of reliable transportation remains a barrier to employment for many clients.
Contractors do arrange vanpools where possible. A problem was noted with agencies
suggesting a particular job and or salary and then hiring with placement in a different job at
a lower salary.
Successes:
This trimester there were 43 clients attending class for recipients of Temporary Assistance
to Needy Families (TANF). This was a slight reduction from last year's numbers of 47
clients. The overall decrease is due to a faster rate of job placements for TANF recipients.
New employment workshops were a decided hit with clients, and as a result, there is a
marked improvement in client interview skills.
Employment Upgrade
There were major changes in Employment Upgrade this trimester. The contractor
providing this service was approved for credentialing services and for conducting upgrade
workshops. The provider is better able to address the challenges for professional refugees
while they go through the process of rebuilding their careers in the United States. Upgrade
workshops started in July. Upgrade workshops were held and 138 clients were in
attendance. Clients were referred by friends and resettlement agencies. The credentialing
program has provided this service for 24 clients' to-date. The provider continues to offer
guidance to clients who want to get certification to pursue a different career, in the medical
field or nursing.
2
Obstacle:
Many clients who receive credentialing services are under the impression that the provider
will then pay for them to go back to school. Most upgrade clients do not have a grasp of
how to apply for government financial aid and we are able to assist them with that.
Success:
Those clients who have had their credentials evaluated are now very motivated to move
forward with going back to school.
3. Youth Programs. The Performance outcomes for the third trimester of 2010 indicate that
attendance rate was 94.19 %; Goal Met so far was 69.17 %.
On the third trimester contractors had a successful Sumer Camp; the summer camp
program focused on refugee youth who arrived during the last months of the school year
and those that were in the most need of educational and community orientation activities.
Program participants were able to take Monday-Friday. Weekly topics covered included
Human Rights, Government Services, Environment Science, Conservation and Visual and
Performance Arts. The children were able to build a positive mentoring relationship with a
caring adult over the summer.
The afterschool academic program began on August 9. During the months of August and
September contractors have worked to indentify students that will benefit form after school
tutorials, and enrolling students at campus to provide assistance with homework and
special projects.
Students are transported from school and various apartment complexes to contractors’
sites. New arrivals are tested through either the Slosson reading exam or LAS-O test.
In this trimester refugee youth were involved in a number of recreation and educational
field trips to increase their exposure to mainstream extracurricular activities and to
encourage social interaction and integration. Field trips this trimester included a visit to
Georgia State University, attending a Hawks basketball game, attending a Braves baseball
game, and participating in community service projects with Oakhurst Gardens and the
Martin Luther King Jr. Center. There were also several noteworthy incentive trips this
trimester such as dinner at the CNN Center and a bowling trip at Suburban Lanes.
4. Citizenship and Naturalization Services The Performance Expectation/Outcome Report
for this trimester of 2010 indicates that 100% confirmation of LPR and Naturalization
Citizenship application mailed to USCIS.
For the third trimester this year (June – September, 2010), contractors assisted individuals
with their applications for adjustment of status to Legal Permanent Residence under the
DHS contract. Clients were assisted with US naturalization applications. Clients typically
receive their biometrics appointment notices 3-4 weeks after receiving the receipt notice;
that is, on average 6 weeks after submitting the application. In general, the process for
these cases took four to six months before the client received the LPR. There has been
significant improvement in security and background checks. For the cases that were on
hold, some applicants have begun to receive interview notice and shortly after their
welcome notices. As for naturalization applicants, most served received receipt notices
about one month from the application date, with biometrics appointment following closely
after the receipt notice is issued by the USCIS. The oath process following positive
interviews varies widely in timing; sometimes it follows closely after the interview; other
3
times it take month before the oath is taken. Contractors assisted clients with the
presentation of fee waiver applications during this trimester.
The eighth DeKalb Technical College Constitution Day and United States Citizen
Celebration were observed on Thursday, September 16, 2010, at the DeKalb Tech
Conference Center. This annual event celebrates the rights, privileges, and responsibilities
of U.S. citizenship. It is a special time to recognize students who have become naturalized
citizens. Forty-nine new citizens from nineteen countries were identified and fifteen were
able to participate.
5. Social Adjustment The Performance Expectations/Outcomes for the third trimester shows
that 100% of clients had a better understand of how to access services by their own and
100% of clients obtained the services they needed.
Healthcare:
During this trimester contractors have continually helped clients in navigating the health
care system. It is challenging for the clients to sort through all the paperwork, the different
physicians and their specialties, the multiple referrals, the prescriptions and refills, and etc.
Clients with health problems and concerns relating to access to healthcare, services have
been provided to clients in order to find appropriate counseling and information to better
understanding about their physical and mental health as well. The services were provided
to new arrivals, as well as to clients that have resided in U.S. for one to two years.
Specific health-related services provided this trimester included: making medical
appointments, assigning clients in proper health care, assigning PCP in local area,
providing transportation and interpretation services for clients to medical visits, and
planning follow-up care as appropriate. Priority was given to clients with special needs,
such as clients with serious disabilities or severe illness, young children with physical
disabilities or acute illness and pregnant women. Additionally, several cases involving
mental health issues were provided with healthcare assistance and appropriate referrals
for professional therapy
Emotional Integration Counseling:
Contractors provided one-on-one counseling to many clients, information was provided to
them about education, domestic violence, parenting, banking, budgeting, home
maintenance and tenant rights, and other information to use to adjust easier in America.
Several clients were referred for professional counseling.
Contractors have assisted clients who are dealing with post traumatic stress disorder.
Contractors continued to connect new arrivals with clients who have been here for some
time, so that they can help each other to cope with the various challenges.
Crisis Intervention:
Contractors have handled a number of crises and urgent situations this trimester. The
most common crises intervention requests concerned emergency Medicaid documentation
for clients needing urgent medical services, emergency rent and utility assistance,
difficulties with apartment safety, and domestic violence. The threat of evicting has been a
great challenge for the clients this trimester.
Home Management and Emergency Intervention:
Many clients were served this trimester with budgeting, housing, guardianship, school
registration and child behavior, Contractors sough to ensure that clients’ medical needs
were met in an efficient and timely manner by cultivating community outreach and
resources.
4
Mental Health Activities:
Some clients were referred as an outcome of the mental health screening process to
professional service providers.
6. Information & Referral Services The performance Expectation/ Outcome Report for the
third trimester indicates that 100% referred cases were accepted. Services included free
school lunch, library cards, Georgia IDs, SSI, WIC, food Stamps and Medicaid reviews.
Related with the country’s economic downturn and job market situation, though improving,
many clients came to ask for help completing Food Stamps and Medicaid reviews because
of lack of work or lay offs. The contractors continue to assist employable women apply to
Dress for Success in order to receive interview appropriate clothing for employment
activities, also assist families in applying to Threads, where children ranging in age from 0
to 12 can get seasonally appropriate clothing and shoes. Also, the contractors assisted
parents to complete the free school meal applications for their children. This is a critical
need as these kids are eligible for this program and need to be well fed in order to learn
and fully participate in the school day. 100% of all referrals that have been verified have
been received.
100% of refugee youth assisted with free school lunches are accepted and receive the
benefit. 100% of WIC referrals are approved. The contractor is committed to assisting
clients with setting up appointments and gaining access to these services and provides
transportation and interpretation.
7. Domestic Violence All units for the men’s and women’s support groups were completed.
The groups were received extremely well and participants were very talkative throughout
all the sessions. Topics ranged from defining domestic violence based on different cultures
to stress management techniques. It was very successful and participants looked forward
to the next session. When asked what they felt was the most beneficial part of the four
class series, they shared understanding how domestic violence is defined in America. Both
of the groups (men and women) shared they benefitted from the communication session –
indirect, direct, hinting and hurting. It showed them a way to communicate their feelings
without causing an argument with their partner. After learning the wheel of power and
control, the women started identifying past experiences where the men in their lives used
some of the behaviors to maintain power in the family. Overall, the support groups were
particularly successful. There was a strong sense of closeness and accomplishment as
many started in the group very shy and quiet, but began to share more and more with the
group.
8. Refugee Health Program The total number of adult refugees, age 21 years and older,
that resettled in Georgia during this third Trimester was 604. There were 260 females and
343 males. A total of 484 refugee children between the ages of 0 and 20 years old arrived
in Georgia during this trimester.
Screening Analysis
There were a total of 660 refugees (children and adults) receiving health screenings during
this trimester within the 90 day limit. Of the total number of refugees that were screened
during the trimester, 108 refugees had abnormal test results for TB skin test (PPD). There
were 31 refugees that tested positive for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HbSag). For
intestinal parasites, 39 refugees had abnormal test results. There were 223 refugees
5
screened during this trimester that had abnormal test results for non-communicable
diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, malnutrition, anemia, visual, and dental
problems. Those who tested abnormal for communicable and non communicable diseases
were referred to respective physicians and clinics for treatment and follow up. Positive
PPD and HIV findings were reported to the state TB and HIV programs respectively.
Interpretation Services
The State Refugee Health Program Health Service Representatives had 1,065 encounters
with refugees, asylees, parolees, and victims of human trafficking for the purpose of the
initial health screening, follow-up, and outreach services.
Other Activities
During this activity period, the State Refugee Health Coordinator participated in the several
ARHC teleconferences during this reporting period. These meetings gave the most up to
date about new technical requirements of health issues that affect the refugee community
and discussed were emerging issues within the community as well. These updates were
shared with community and health organizations, and other public health programs.
Also, the program conducted a site monitoring and case reviews of Cobb County and
DeKalb County Health Departments. This is done as part of the ongoing program
assessment tool and quality assurance to maintain and improve service delivery to the
refugee population.
II. OTHER ACTIVITIES
06/07/10, ORR Consultation, in Washington, DC June 7 -10, 2010
06/18/10, World Refugee Day Celebration, Clarkston Community Center
07/16/10, Retirement Celebration for Allen Shaklan, Director of Refugee Family Services
07/21/10, Attended “Strengthening Families in the Community, Pasqual’s Restaurant
07/15/09, Attended “DeKalb Work Force Job Orientation”, held at DeKalb Technical College
07/24/10, Coalition of Refugee Stakeholders Meeting, Bohan Auditorium, DeKalb Board of
Health
08/18/10, Attended, Volag Meeting, Refugee Resettlement & Immigration Services of Atlanta
08/19/10, Attended, GA Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Meeting,
Loudermilk Center
08/24/10, Attended “Conference on Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation Prevention”, in New
Orleans, La
09/16/10, Attended “US Constitution and Citizenship Celebration”, held at DeKalb Technical
College
09/22/10, Attended “Strengthening Families in the Community Meeting” at Morehouse
College
09/23/10, Attended “G-CAPP Conference” at Morrow Center
09/23/10, Attended Refugee Affordable Housing Meeting, at Refugee Family Services
09/29/10-10/01/10 Attended National Immigrants Integration Conference-Boston.
6
OMB Control No. 0970-0036
Form ORR-6
Schedule B: Cash and Medical Assistance, Medical Screening,
and Unaccompanied Refugee Minors
State:
I.
GEORGIA
Period:
3
Fiscal Year:
2010
Date:
10/20/2010
Refugee Cash Assistance
Persons
Cases
A. New RCA enrollees at at end of previous reporting period.
96
84
B. Recipients at end of this reporting period.
99
165
C. New RCA enrolles during this reporting period.
99
34
II.
Refugee Medical Assistance
Persons
A. Number of persons enrolled IN RMA at end of reporting period.
III. Medical Screening
316
Persons
A. Total recipients of medical screenings during reporting period
662
B. Recipients of medical screenings during reporting period funded by RMA
IV. Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program
483
Persons
A. Minors in care at end of previous reporting period
0
B. Entered Care
0
C. Left Care
D. Minors in care at end of this reporting period
0
0
Form ORR-6 (08/31/2010)
OMB Control No.
0970-0036
Schedule C:
Page 1:
Services Report
Employment Services
45 CFR 400.154(a)
State/Grantee:
Grant # and Name:
Period:
GEORGIA
Date:
GA01AAGA4110 (SSG)
M
A. Total Caseload for Services
Cash Assistance Status
a.
RCA
Time in U.S.
10/20/2010
F
29
B. Entered Employment
Fiscal Year: 20/10/
3
14
1. Full Time
2. Part Time
M
M
F
3. Grant
F
Termination
1.
0 - 4 mos
2
0
0
0
2
2.
5 - 8 mos
2
0
0
0
2
1.
0 - 12 mos
0
0
0
0
0
2.
> 12 mos
0
0
0
0
0
1.
0 - 12 mos
0
0
0
0
0
2.
> 12 mos
0
0
0
0
0
1.
0 - 12 mos
2
0
0
0
2.
> 12 mos
2
2
0
0
8
2
0
0
8.51
9.02
0.00
0.00
D. Health Benefits Available
5
2
E. Employed 90 days later
8
3
0
0
a)
RCA at entered employment
7
1
0
0
b)
TANF at entered employment
0
0
0
0
c)
OTHER CA at entered employment
0
0
0
0
d)
NO CA at entered employment
1
3
0
0
8
3
0
0
b.
c.
d.
TANF
Other CA
No CA
TOTAL
C. Avg Hourly Wage Employment Entry
TOTAL
Form ORR-6 (08/31/2010)
4
OMB Control No.
0970-0036
Schedule C:
Page 1:
Services Report
Employment Services
45 CFR 400.154(a)
State/Grantee:
Grant # and Name:
Period:
GEORGIA
Date:
GA01TAGA1000 (TAG)
M
A. Total Caseload for Services
299
B. Entered Employment
Cash Assistance Status
a.
RCA
Time in U.S.
Fiscal Year: 20/10/
3
10/20/2010
F
262
1. Full Time
2. Part Time
M
M
F
3. Grant
F
Termination
1.
0 - 4 mos
19
1
0
0
20
2.
5 - 8 mos
9
9
0
0
18
1.
0 - 12 mos
1
8
0
0
8
2.
> 12 mos
0
7
0
0
5
1.
0 - 12 mos
0
0
0
0
0
2.
> 12 mos
0
0
0
0
0
1.
0 - 12 mos
21
14
0
0
2.
> 12 mos
40
48
0
0
90
87
0
0
8.14
7.93
0.00
0.00
D. Health Benefits Available
80
80
E. Employed 90 days later
93
46
0
0
a)
RCA at entered employment
32
13
0
0
b)
TANF at entered employment
0
9
0
0
c)
OTHER CA at entered employment
0
0
0
0
d)
NO CA at entered employment
61
24
0
0
93
46
0
0
b.
c.
d.
TANF
Other CA
No CA
TOTAL
C. Avg Hourly Wage Employment Entry
TOTAL
Form ORR-6 (08/31/2010)
51
OMB Control No. 0970-0036
Form ORR-6
Schedule C: Services Report
Page 2: Employability Services
45 CFR 400.154(b) - (k)
State:
GEORGIA
Grant Number and
Period:
3
GA01AAGA4110 (SSG)
Fiscal Year:
Date:
2010
10/20/2010
M
1.
ELT
A.
2.
Total active participants this quarter
23
17
0 - 12 mos in U.S.
14
8
> 12 mos in U.S.
9
9
3
1
0 - 12 mos in U.S.
2
1
> 12 mos in U.S.
1
0
0
0
Total active participants this quarter
1
1
0 - 12 mos in U.S.
0
0
> 12 mos in U.S.
1
1
38
35
16
21
21
14
OJT, Skills Training
A. Total active participants this quarter
B. Completions (unduplicated)
4.
Case Management
A.
5.
F
Other Employability Services
A.
Total active participants this quarter
0 - 12 mos in U.S.
> 12 mos in U.S.
Form ORR-6 (08/31/2010)
OMB Control No. 0970-0036
Form ORR-6
Schedule C: Services Report
Page 2: Employability Services
45 CFR 400.154(b) - (k)
State:
GEORGIA
Grant Number and
Period:
3
GA01TAGA1000 (TAG)
Fiscal Year:
Date:
2010
10/20/2010
M
1.
ELT
A.
2.
Total active participants this quarter
487
519
0 - 12 mos in U.S.
247
216
> 12 mos in U.S.
240
303
50
32
0 - 12 mos in U.S.
16
7
> 12 mos in U.S.
34
25
0
0
Total active participants this quarter
74
62
0 - 12 mos in U.S.
35
31
> 12 mos in U.S.
39
31
288
264
142
121
146
143
OJT, Skills Training
A. Total active participants this quarter
B. Completions (unduplicated)
4.
Case Management
A.
5.
F
Other Employability Services
A.
Total active participants this quarter
0 - 12 mos in U.S.
> 12 mos in U.S.
Form ORR-6 (08/31/2010)
Final Progress Report
Cover Sheet
Grant Number:
90ZE0074/01
1. Grantee’s Name and Address:
Georgia Department of Human Services
Division of Family and Children Services
OFI
Two Peachtree Street, NW
Suite 21-402
Atlanta, GA 30303
2. Telephone Number: (404) 657-5118
3. Project Title: Refugee School Impact Grant
4. Period Performance: 08/15/2005 thru 08/14/2010
5. Approved Project Period: 08/15/2005 thru 08/14/2010
6. Period Covered By Report:
First Semi-Annual
Second Semi-Annual
Final Report
(Check One)



7. Principal Investigator’s Name and Telephone Number:
Michael B. Singleton
(404) 657-5118
8. Authorized Representative’s Name and Telephone Number:
Michael B. Singleton
(404) 657-5118
9. Date of Report: 11/01/2010
10. Report Number:
11. Name of Federal Project Officer: Lorraine Berry
12. Date Reviewed by Federal Project Officer:
13. Comments:
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee School Impact Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report
Award Number: 90ZE0074/01
1. Major activities and accomplishments during this period:
The three project subgrantees were Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta,
Refugee Family Services, and the DeKalb County School System. During the 5 year
project period, August 15, 2005 – August 14, 2010, approximately 8,971 refugee parents,
students and schools received services through the Georgia Refugee School Impact
Program. This report will highlight the services, successes and challenges for the
Georgia Program as a whole. The subgrantee reports are also included in this report,
which will provide a more detailed account of each agencies activities and
accomplishments.
There were 5 major services provided as a part of this grant:
Service
Description
Parent Orientation Services
2 hour interactive sessions
designed to introduce newcomer
parents to the American school
system in a culturally and
linguistically meaningful way.
Parenting ESL (PESL)/Academic Support skills
classes
Classes designed to address the
limitation refugee parents
experience with involvement in
their children’s education and
enhance their English Language
skills as they relate to school
issues. There were typically 12
week, 2 hr classes.
This service provided direct
assistance to schools to meet the
unique needs of the refugee
population. Services included
Teacher/School Personnel
training, interpretation and
School-based Assistance
Additional Comments
It was determined, through
program analysis and feedback
from parents and schools, that in
order to maintain parental
involvement in the schools; which
is a strong indicator of student
success; parents needed more than
just an introductory course upon
arrival. In 2009, this service was
expanded to include sessions
throughout the year that would
continue to help refugee parents
with their school interactions.
Topics included Standardized
Testing, Special Education,
Communication with School,
College Application Process, etc.
In addition to actual classroom
instruction, referrals to existing
ESL classes were an essential
component of this session.
Limited transportation and
children’s activities were provided
by certain subgrantees. Classes
included computer training.
Georgia Department of Human Services
Division of Family & Children Services
August 15, 2010 Page 1 of 6
All Rights Reserved
School-related Casework, e.g.
guidance and assistance during
registration, school related
referrals, home visits,
participation in parent/teacher
conferences and other school
related meetings, etc.
Refugee Summer Youth
Program (FY 2009 and FY
2010)
translation services.
Comprehensive case management
services designed to provide
additional supports to refugee
parents and students to further
assist with parental school
involvement and student
academic achievement.
Summer camp activities for
refuge youth to continue to
enhance students learning and
provide them with various out of
classroom experiences. There
was also a parental involvement
component of the programs to
continue to encourage parents to
be active in schools educational
activities.
The following graph details the numbers of parents/students served and services
provided.
Georgia RSIG Service Numbers
3,321
3,049
3,500
2,326
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
222
53
500
0
Parent
Orientation
Sessions
P-ESL
Classes &
Referrals
School
Based
Assistance
School
Related
Casework
Georgia Department of Human Services
Division of Family & Children Services
November 8, 2010
Page 2 of 6
All Rights Reserved
Summer
Camp
2. Problems:
The subgrantees, State Refugee Office (Department of Human Services – DHS) RSIG
Coordinator and the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) continually evaluated
the Georgia Refugee School Impact Program in order to improve service delivery,
enhance skill development in the partners and address problems and concerns of the
program. The State Refugee Office convened semi-annual meetings with the subgrantees
to discuss concerns and develop effective solutions to address those concerns.
The most significant concern addressed by subgrantees was the service delivery model;
specifically the geographic boundaries. For the project period this report covers, Georgia
was only able to provide services to 3 counties; DeKalb, Gwinnet and Fulton (which
included 2 school districts). As a result, agencies were allowed to work with clients of a
specific county; Catholic Charities served Fulton County residents, DeKalb Board of
Education served DeKalb residents and Refugee Family Services served Gwinnett
residents. The rationale was that with this service delivery model, duplication of services
would be greatly reduced or eliminated. The concern by subgrantees however, was that
this model did not allow for continuity with the refugee parents and students and also
sometimes limited their ability to reach clients or provide a continuum of services.
Through researching a more effective documentation system in order to address the
duplication of services issue as well as discussion on how removal of the county specific
model would enhance services to our refugee parents and students, the service delivery
model has been redesigned for the upcoming project period.
Another concern addressed was the accuracy of our evaluation tools and measurements.
Though the grant for this project period did not require performance outcome evaluation,
the Georgia program did measure outcomes. This area will be covered in detail in the
Significant Findings section. For the Orientation Sessions and P-ESL classes, written pre
and post tests were used. The tests were translated into the appropriate languages;
however many of the refugee parents that we work with have difficulty reading and
writing in their native languages. Based on this, it was determined that the written
evaluations may not be the most effective way to measure their progress and skill level.
The State Office, along with the subgrantees, are researching other evaluation methods
that may work better for this specific population.
Lastly, there was some incongruence in how information was reported to the State Office;
number of services versus number of unduplicated parents, etc. Subgrantees were
concerned that by solely reporting unduplicated numbers, the full impact of the program
and their work would not be conveyed in the reports. In order to accurately report the
number of unduplicated refugee parents and children served as well as give a true picture
of the Georgia program; including number of services, outcomes, etc., the RSIG
Coordinator continues to meet with the subgrantees in order to ensure accurate and
congruent information. Future reports will include unduplicated numbers, total number
of services as well as outcomes.
Georgia Department of Human Services
Division of Family & Children Services
November 8, 2010
Page 3 of 6
All Rights Reserved
3. Significant findings and events:
As briefly discussed in the Problems section, beginning in program year 2009 (August
15, 2008) two significant components to the Georgia Refugee School Impact Program
were added; contract/agency monitoring and performance outcome based reporting. The
RSIG coordinator began conducting annual monitoring visits of the subgrantees. This
helped inform practice, enhance service delivery and collaborate with the partners in
order to ensure best practices were used in the programs. In addition, agencies were
required to report on several performance based outcomes. As a result of these two
measures, a detailed Program Analysis, which was submitted to ORR, was completed on
the Georgia School Impact Grant by the RSIG Coordinator. The desire was that in
addition to having impressive numbers of refugee parents and students served by the
program, the results of the monitoring, analysis and outcome measures would show that
the Georgia program was successful in both increasing parental involvement in their
children’s educational activities and that participation in the program increased the skill
levels and knowledge of the participants.
Performance outcomes were developed for each area of service.
highlight 3 outcomes:



This report will
75% of Parent Orientation Session participants will demonstrate increased
knowledge,
75% of Parenting ESL Session participants will demonstrate increase
knowledge*, and
50% of parents served with an initial school-based service, and remaining in the
school system, will return to the school for at least one additional school based
activity within 3 months (i.e. parent-teacher conference, PTA meeting, School
Assembly, etc.)
The results show that the Georgia program achieved 2 of the 3 outcomes highlighted.
The following graph will provide the results for each outcome. As noted earlier, the
Georgia partners wanted to ensure that the program utilized best practices as well as
followed state standards for the services provided. *In researching the standards for
participants in ESL classes, the Technical College System of Georgia’s Core Indicator
Goals for Adult ESL/Literacy classes were utilized. It was determined that a higher
standard was placed in the Georgia RSIG program than state standards. The goal for
increased knowledge/skill level for ESL participants ranged from 44% to 53% based on
level (beginning, intermediate and advanced). As a result, the standard for this outcome
will be changed for the upcoming project year.
Georgia Department of Human Services
Division of Family & Children Services
November 8, 2010
Page 4 of 6
All Rights Reserved
Georgia RSIG Performance Outcomes
80
70
60
50
Actual
40
Goal
30
20
10
0
Parent Orientation
P-ESL
School
Involvement
4. Dissemination activities:
Over the course of the project period, subgrantees have used the following dissemination
activities:







Stakeholder meetings, orientations, and trainings
Information packets to schools and other refugee service agencies
Fact sheets
School system e-mail
Flyers
Power Point presentations
Newsletters
Catholic Charities, due to the decline in numbers of new refugees being resettled into the
Fulton County area, enhanced their school and community outreach efforts in order to
reach refugee parents and students. The other subgrantees also continued to increase
their presence in the community in order to promote the Georgia School Impact Program.
In addition, the State RSIG Coordinator has participated in various informational visits,
conferences and trainings to locate other collaborative partners, inform others of available
Georgia Department of Human Services
Division of Family & Children Services
November 8, 2010
Page 5 of 6
All Rights Reserved
services, and increase the community’s awareness of the Georgia School Impact
Program.
5. Other Activities:
In addition to the major activities already cited, specific additional activities can be found
in the attached subgrantee reports. Highlights include:







The introduction of the Rosetta Stone software into the P-ESL Classes
(DeKalb County School System)
“How to Start a School Liaison Program” presentation at the Refugee &
Immigrant Conference (Refugee Family Services)
“Partnerships for Refugee Student Success: Bridging Services” presentation
(Refugee Family Services and DeKalb County School System)
Standardized P-ESL Curriculum (Catholic Charities and DeKalb County
School System)
“Connecting Refugee Families with Schools- A Cross Service Workshop”
presentation at the Georgia TESOL Conference (Catholic Charities)
“The Many Faces of Adult Education: Focusing on Alternative and Methods
in ESL Teaching” presentation at the Southeast TESOL Conference(Catholic
Charities)
“Summer Camp Program” presentation at BRYCS Quarterly RSIG Network
Teleconference(Catholic Charities).
6. Activities planned for new Project Period:
Through intense review, research and evaluation, Georgia can report that the Georgia
School Impact Program has been a success throughout the course of the five year project
period. The refugee parents and children in Georgia have received valuable skills and
resources that will enable the students to succeed in school and increase parental
involvement as a result of the services provided.
The chosen service delivery model for this reporting project period; while not
representative of all possible services needed to fully achieve refugee academic success
and successful integration into the American School System is supported by research and
best practices models. A growing body of research shows that successful parent
involvement improves not only student behavior and attendance but also positively
affects student achievement. The Georgia program has strengthened and increased the
refugee parents’ involvement in their children’s school activities. The Georgia Program
will now expand the program to include increased work with refugee students which will
include after-school tutorial sessions.
In addition, DHS and GaDOE will convene an introductory meeting with the new RSIG
subgrantees to discuss expectations, reporting requirements, outcomes as well as training
needs. GaDOE and DHS will sponsor semi-annual trainings for the RSIG subgrantees.
DHS will complete an analysis of the 2010 program year.
Georgia Department of Human Services
Division of Family & Children Services
November 8, 2010
Page 6 of 6
All Rights Reserved
DHR Semi-Annual Report – Refugee School Impact Grant
[ ] Monthly
[ ] Semi-annual
[ ] Quarterly
[ ] Annual
[ X ] 5 Year
DHR Contract #:
Period Covered by this report:
August 2005 – August 2010
Contractor: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta
Table 1: Summary of Services: (Please include a list of clients and schools served for
report period.)
Activity
Goal for 5
Year
Contract
Actual Numbers
Served (5 Year
Contract Period)
Parent
Orientations/Education
Sessions Services
320
361
P-ESL Classes
72
95
School Based Assistance
101
174
School Related Casework
250
295
Summer Camp
26
Narrative analysis of project accomplishments to include by objective: Staff activity,
program progress, or any other phase of Contractor activity to assist the Department in
program evaluation.
Georgia Department of Human Services
Subgrantee Report – Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta
All Rights Reserved
Evaluation/ Measuring Outcomes
Provide refugee parents with school information via orientation session
Indicators
2006
2007
2008
2009
N/A
N/A
43%
85.7%
% of orientation/information sessions participants who
showed an increase in knowledge and school
involvement after receiving services by using pre/post
assessments
Provide skill instruction to refugee parents and children to foster increased school engagement
2010
75%
N/A
N/A
N/A
64%
72%
N/A
N/A
N/A
50%
87%
N/A
N/A
75%
38.5%
67%
% of student participation during the P-ESL sessions
% of student participation during the summer camp
sessions
% of students who increased knowledge of English/
American School System by using pre/ post assessment
Major activities and accomplishments during this period –
Parent Orientation Services and Education Sessions
During the past five years, Catholic Charities Atlanta has worked diligently to provide
Orientations to the American School System to refugees that have been resettled in the Atlanta
area. The progress that we have made in the past five years has been increasing yearly, and we
have worked hard to meet the goals we set each year. Our School Orientations include an
overview of the American School System, and how parental involvement will impact their
children’s education positively. We make sure to include what is expected from the parents and
students, and what they can expect from the teachers.
When refugees come to the orientations, they are willing and eager to learn. However, after
assessing their needs, we have decided to conduct orientations by refugee groups as much as
possible. This has shown to be effective because it allows the clients to be more engaged and
ask more questions regarding the topics that we are addressing. We have also made exceptions
and offered sessions in clients’ homes. This usually happened if childcare is an issue or if the
parents speak a rare dialect, and we have to perform a three way interpretation.
Because we are continuously assessing the needs of the new populations, most recently, we have
begun incorporating information sessions for our refugees that target other relevant topics. Our
Georgia Department of Human Services
Subgrantee Report – Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta
All Rights Reserved
clients have responded positively to them, and have been very engaged in the sessions. We are
covering topics such as bullying, internet safety, public safety, standardized testing, and mental
health. We have had many refugees comment how helpful these information sessions have been
and eagerly ask us about future topics. We feel that this is a positive way to give clients more
information as well as follow up with them to see how they are adjusting to their new life.
Parenting – ESL
Over the past five years, we have served 95 refugee parents in our Parenting – ESL (P-ESL)
courses. The classes have evolved, and we ended the five year period with two successful
locations: Capitol View Apartments in South Atlanta and Sandy Springs Middle School in North
Fulton County. Our assessment tools have also improved over the years, and we began using the
BEST Plus Assessment to track language proficiency and measure outcomes.
Through collaboration with DeKalb County School District, we developed a P-ESL curriculum.
As staff transitioned and classes grew, instructors developed site-specific lessons according to
the overall curriculum goals. The lessons always contained English education with a parenting
focus. Instructors also attended adult education trainings to strengthen their teaching skills.
We worked to strengthen relationships with community organizations, school staff, and refugee
communities in attempts to increase student enrollment. We created a class brochure and
disseminated it to our contacts as a way to spread the word. Volunteers and interns have always
been invaluable within our P-ESL program, and they have been able to help when classes have
different ability levels.
While attendance can sometimes be a challenge, we continuously evaluated our class locations
and times to make sure we were reaching as many students as possible. We also utilized
incentives such as books/dictionaries, MARTA passes, and other tokens to attract high
attendance.
Summer Camp
Summer Camp has always been a fun activity for our staff. Since we work with families
throughout the year, spending time with their children is a delight. Academic enrichment has
been an important focus of the Camps, but we also incorporated field trips, physical activities,
and guest speakers into the daily activities. We enrolled children of our P-ESL students as well
as other families for which we provided services. Because we had existing relationships with the
parents, involving them in the camp was easier. Each week we had a theme for the children, so
we offered information sessions for the parents that aligned with the weekly topics (such as
nutrition and mental health). We also incorporated P-ESL classes into the Summer Camp for the
parents throughout the years. Additionally, parents served as volunteers and participated in Camp
events. We also utilized external volunteers, such as high school students and community
members. We always tried to have volunteers that spoke the same languages as the children. The
Summer Camps gave refugee children extra English practice, academic support, and exposure to
a variety of American places and activities.
School-Based Assistance
Our goal has been to increase school referrals for services and to work with school staff so that
we can educate them about the refugee population and the resettlement process in general. We
Georgia Department of Human Services
Subgrantee Report – Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta
All Rights Reserved
provide schools with the basic tools to better understand the behaviors and traditions of the
multiple refugee populations that are being resettled in the Metro Atlanta area.
Schools are being visited, and have been made aware of the Refugee School Impact Grant and
the kind of support it offers to public school systems. Furthermore, the Refugee Parenting
Services Coordinator has met with officials from the school systems Instructional Support
Center, so that information can be disseminated from a higher level. Services that we provide to
the schools are interpretation, translation, transportation, and support in Parent/Teacher
conference and/or SST or IEP meetings. The following schools were visited during the past five
years:
1. Martin Luther King Middle
2. North Atlanta High School
3. Gideon’s Elementary School
4. Dunwoody Springs Elementary
5. Ridgeview Charter Middle School
6. Park Middle School
7. Garden Hill Elementary School
8. North Spring Charter High School
9. College Park Elementary School
10. Atlanta International Center
11. Therrell High School
12. West Manor Elementary School
13. Benjamin Mays High School
14. Alpharetta High School
15. Creekview Elementary School
16. Lake Winward Elementary School
17. Webb Ginn Middle School
18. Adamsville Elementary School
19. Deerwood Academy School
20. Margaret Fain Elementary School
21. Fickett Elementary School
22. Ridgeview Charter School
Georgia Department of Human Services
Subgrantee Report – Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta
All Rights Reserved
23. Heards Ferry Elementary School
24. Lake Forest Elementary School
25. Riverwood Elementary School
26. Atlanta Public School Instructional Support
27. Beecher Hills Elementary School
28. Capitol View Elementary School
29. E.L. Connally Elementary School
30. Venetian Hills Elementary School
31. Highpoint Elementary School
32. Ison Springs Elementary School
33. Hembree Springs Elementary School
34. Hillside Elementary School
35. Conley Hills Elementary School
36. Parklane Elementary School
37. Hamilton Holmes Elementary School
38. Oak Knoll Elementary School
39. Paul D. West Middle School
40. Hutchinson Elementary School
41. Rivers Elementary School
42. North Atlanta High School
43. South Atlanta High School
44. Sutton Middle School
45. Price Middle School
46. Crawford Middle School
47. Mimosa Elementary School
48. High Point Elementary School
49. Cook Elementary School
50. Bethune Elementary School
Georgia Department of Human Services
Subgrantee Report – Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta
All Rights Reserved
51. Woodland Elementary School
52. Benteen Elementary School
53. Martin Luther King Middle School
54. Northwood Elementary School
55. Austrey Mill Elementary School
56. Barnwell Elementary School
57. Dolvin Elementary School
School Related Casework
One of our main goals is to promote parental involvement with the refugee community. We do
not want them to feel that just because they do not know the English language, that they cannot
participate and make a positive impact in their children’s education. This has helped the refugee
families feel comfortable in reaching out to us when they have questions about school related
issues, homework or how their children are adjusting socially. We provide refugees with
assistance to any school related issue that they may have. Types of assistance that we have given
refugees are help with PTA meetings, providing school supplies, doing home visits, library
assistance, accompanying clients to school meetings and providing interpretation so that they
may address their concerns.
Problems Encountered –
Our biggest challenge for orientation/information sessions was the geographical boundaries. As
time continued, fewer refugee families were being resettled in Fulton County, and recruiting
clients was problematic. We were able to increase outreach and expand services to include
Information Sessions, but meeting our goals continued to be arduous.
We tried different ways to resolve these issues, including school and community outreach and
the development of the information sessions. We strongly felt that if we could continue to
educate the parents and invite them to more information sessions that dealt with topics that were
relevant to the school, then we could help parents maintain involvement in their children’s
education. We are still developing curriculums for topics, however many of these topics have
been presented with much success:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Standardized testing
Behavior management
Special education
Communication with the school
Parental involvement
Communicating effectively with your children
Gang prevention
Georgia Department of Human Services
Subgrantee Report – Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta
All Rights Reserved
o
o
o
o
o
Parental rights within the schools
College application process
Adolescence
Bullying
After School/Summer Employment
We realized that due to work schedules and English classes, attendance can be challenging. In
order to ensure the highest level of attendance, we worked closely with our interpreters to
provide sessions when our clients are available to attend. As mentioned previously, we have
been concerned about P-ESL attendance over the past five years. Regular attendance is
challenging for parents that work and/or have children. We continuously assess our classes to
make sure we were reaching as many students as possible. Our locations and class schedules
have changed over these five years in an effort to mitigate the problem.
We have also questioned the accuracy of our written pre- and post- tests for Orientations and
Information Sessions. When dealing with low-literacy level clients who often have difficulty
reading and writing in their native languages, a written standardized test may not be the best
measure of their knowledge. To address this, we plan to research other evaluation techniques for
specific populations.
Significant Findings and Events
A major finding was simply logistical: scheduling and location. If we offered a P-ESL class,
Orientation, or Information Session, parental attendance always depended on location and time.
Working in the evenings and on weekends has helped us accommodate our clients’ valuable time
and resources. The interpreters that we work with have been useful in helping us identify
convenient times and locations.
We also found that increasing outreach significantly improved our outputs. Throughout the five
years, we met with people in a variety of settings (other refugee-serving agencies, government
entities, apartment complexes, police departments, and schools). As more schools and
organizations knew about our program, the more often we were called to provide services.
Lastly, our experiences over the past five years have reinforced the purpose of this grant. We
strongly believe in educating and empowering parents to help their children succeed in school.
Through this grant, parents that we work with have been able to: communicate with school
personnel through interpreters and on their own thanks to P-ESL instruction; learn about
American schools and other relevant topics; receive extra support for their families as they
navigate educational systems, and send their children to an enriching Summer Camp. Their
children have benefitted in immeasurable ways from these services. We have also been able to
fill a crucial gap for schools in helping to meet the needs of their refugee students.
Dissemination activities –
In order to promote our services and provide needed information, we created multiple brochures.
Program brochures include a list of services available to clients, required registration
documentation, a class schedule, and location details. We have worked to strengthen
Georgia Department of Human Services
Subgrantee Report – Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta
All Rights Reserved
relationships with Schools Administrators and Instructional staff, and the brochures have been
beneficial when publicizing our services.
To promote Summer Camp, we created multi-lingual fliers, and our Parenting – ESL students
spread the information. We unfortunately had to create a Waiting List because we were not able
to accommodate all of the children that wanted to attend.
Other Activities
Program staff has been active participants at the Georgia TESOL and Southeast TESOL
conferences. Loretta Siefferman and Lina Rodriguez presented “Connecting Refugee Families
with Schools- a Cross Service Workshop” at the Georgia TESOL Conference in 2008. Lisa
Shanty Chaudhari and Loretta Siefferman presented “The Many Faces of Adult Education:
Focusing on Alternative and Methods in ESL Teaching Workshop” at the Southeast TESOL
Conference in 2009. In addition, Kate Walker presented “Summer Camp Program” at BRYCS
Quarterly RSIG Network Teleconference.
Activities Planned for New Reporting Period:
We are excited to expand our service area to surrounding counties. We will continue providing
School Orientations, Information Sessions, and school-based assistance for refugee parents. New
Information Sessions are being developed to meet all of our parents’ needs. Additionally, we will
still offer school-based assistance for school staff. We plan to update our PowerPoint
presentation to inform schools of new grant requirements.
Instead of running P-ESL classes, we will train community-based groups that work with refugee
parents and youth, such as ESL staff at local churches or apartment complexes as well as AfterSchool Program staff at various organizations. Finally, we intend to continue our Summer Camp
so that refugee children can get much needed extra help outside of school.
We plan to improve the evaluation tools for the Orientation and Education Sessions to better
measure outcomes. Additionally, we want to strengthen our Interpreter Bank to limit any delay in
service delivery based on interpreter availability.
We have utilized interns over the years (mostly MSW students), and they have always been an
asset to our program. They have assisted with outreach, recruited P-ESL students, and even
served as interpreters. Our new MSW intern will help us create a Resource Book for refugee
parents as well as a Cultural Considerations hand-out for people working with refugee
populations.
We are currently planning our future year events, and we are creating strategies that will help us
reach out to the school systems as well as refugees to make them aware of the services that we
provide.
_____________________________
Contractor Project/Program Manager
_____________________________
Date Submitted
Georgia Department of Human Services
Subgrantee Report – Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta
All Rights Reserved
Georgia Department of Human Services
Subgrantee Report – DeKalb County School System
All Rights Reserved
The DeKalb County School System Parent Outreach program goals is designed to help
refugee families make constructive strides towards involvement in the school community,
and to claim a sense of belonging. Additionally, the program helps them adjust to their
new surroundings, fostering basic skills for self-sufficiency, and assisting with English
Language practice. The program helps families develop an understanding of American
culture as well as show them how to navigate the community and take advantage of
public resources such as libraries, parks, and public transportation. Instruction thus far,
has focused on parents being able to provide personal information in writing and
verbally. Adult students practice dialogues to aid communication with teachers and
others. Instructors may also help them complete small tasks such as job applications,
setting doctors appointments, or assisting their children with homework.
MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
The International Center Parent Outreach Program initially met every Tuesday and
Thursday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Free transportation and child care was provided
nightly. Meeting times went through an evolution to accommodate parents and to avoid
conflicts with PTA, Parent Conference Nights, and Open House. The most recent
program schedule was from 5:00 to 7:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays. The Parent
Outreach program addressed specific English Language acquisition needs of parents from
a wide variety of nations and language groups. This meant about [200] refugee and
immigrant families in the DeKalb County School System were served. At the outset of
the program, the primary languages spoken by participants were Spanish, Somali, and
Russian. These language groups were eventually joined by others, representing the
pattern of immigration to the area. Parents received instruction in beginning English
(Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking).
The program was structured in a modular format which initially followed the workbook
series Parenting for Academic Success, (Delta Publishing Company). The lessons in
this series include Setting Goals, Cooking/Family Traditions, Homework/Progress
Reports, and Preparing for Parent-Teacher Meetings. Teachers supplemented the
structural design with individually selected materials providing the parents with
additional language support for their job sites, school communications, and other topics
of interests. The program now uses Side by Side, an English Language program for
young-adult and adult learners from beginning to high-intermediate levels. Through
guided conversations, students engage in meaningful conversation using structured
grammar. The text is supplemented with role-play and authentic documents.
In 2008, we developed the RSIG Parent Orientation Modules. The modules were fully
implemented in 2009 as the core of our program. These modules enabled parents to
communicate more in English and become more active in the classroom. Adult students
were able to benefit from oral activities and obtained “hands-on” activities with skills
taught in the modules.
Parents learned to identify and participate in “every day activities.” These students
improved their ability to communicate with teachers and others and completed small
tasks such as providing basic information about themselves and their families, completing
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job applications, making doctor’s appointments, assisting their children with homework,
identifying important items on a report card, requesting time off from work to attend
meetings at school, identifying parts of a computer and producing a simple “Word”
document, and reporting emergencies.
The children’s portion of the program made great strides. It developed into a full-blown
after school tutorial/pre-K type activity focusing on vocabulary development. Children
from ages 4 to 16 years of age have taken advantage of this program. Averaging 25 – 30
students participating two evenings each week.
In response to parents requesting more instructional time, we established a summer
school segment to the program in June, 2006. This provided an additional month of
English language instruction.
Parent Orientation Sessions: were held at various schools to inform parents about
school policies and procedures, discipline policies, progress reports, school events, and
homework tips, how to write an absentee note, the importance of attending PTSA, parent
conferences and parent volunteers. These sessions were concurrent, and in various
languages.
Translation/Interpretation Services: Interpretation and translation services were
provided for school PTSA meetings, Parent Conferences and at the Student Evidentiary
Hearing Committee by the International Center pool of interpreters and translators.
Language Line, (a telephone system, which enables parents in schools to speak with a
live person in their own language), has been provided in all of the highly populated
refugee schools, this program provides 170 different languages and decreases language
barriers in schools with high refugee populations.
Transportation: Families who indicate a need receive free transportation to and from
program activities. Every effort is made to ensure that families are aware that
transportation is available and lack there of is not a reason to miss out on the opportunity
to participate.
SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS AND EVENTS:
It was pleasant and beneficial to find that students who were excited about attending the
program and maintained regular attendance made academic improvement. A positive biproduct of the children’s attendance was better attendance by their parents and general
increased enthusiasm about the program.
We purchased textbooks and provided them to families as consumable materials. This
appeared to encourage parents and allowed them to practice more effectively outside of
class time.
ServSafe is a program to prepare food service workers to handle food properly and
safely. There were seven adult learners studying exclusively in this program. They
reviewed pre food preparation procedures and discussed test taking strategies. The
students had practical learning on safe serving techniques such as how long and how to
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wash their hands for food preparation. The curriculum included guest instructors and
video demonstrations. A very special accomplishment was two program participants
passing the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Examination. These
students are now certified to work in the food industry. In fact, at the time of writing this
report, they are under consideration for cafeteria positions with the school district.
Special activities completed included a “clothes closet” where program attendees were
able to choose from donated clothing. This activity was well received and many families
were able to benefit from it. Another beneficial activity was our guest speaker series. A
school principal and counselor presented and answered questions for parents in the
programs. A pediatric dentist spoke to our parents about the necessity and benefits of
good dental care. Parents were also addressed by elementary and high school ESOL
teachers.
As parents have a clearer understanding of American school system rules and are
becoming more involved with the schools, they are able to encourage and motivate their
children.
Considering the success of the current programs, we are planning to continue providing
the same services to our refugee parents. We continuously plan ways to improve our
services and address their concerns.
Transportation: is being provided for parents who are participating in the Parent Outreach
(ESL) program.
Childcare: While parents receive instruction, their children participate in academic
activities designed to improve English Language proficiency and to improve performance
on standardized tests.
Translation/Interpretation Services: Interpreters are available in the classrooms to assist
parents with interpretation of content provided by certified teachers with the ESOL
endorsement.
Concerns:
While we consider the program to be successful and beneficial, there are a few concerns.
It would be helpful if parents were provided with a light meal or snack while
participating in the program. Also, parents have expressed a desire to have the program
continue for a longer period of time. We have tried to address this by providing a
summer segment through June without interruption. Finally, we would like to increase
participation among parents and children with more consistent attendance. We made
significant effort to make potential clients aware of the program, but enrollment suffers
somewhat when there is a delay of on usual start date and significant problems with
transportation. Informing parents during registration continues to be an effective way of
advertising and registering parents.
The new waves of refugees present a challenge with communication. Finding skilled
interpreters in new dialects is a daunting task.
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Information about refugee services should be disseminated more often and sent to
schools, radio stations, newspapers, and local schools on a semester basis.
Dissemination of Activity Related Information
Families were invited to register for the program while registering their children for
school. We sent flyers to the various schools to be distributed during PTA meetings and
Parent Conference Nights held at each school with a particular focus on the schools with
high ELL populations.
Other activities:
Adult students were introduced to technology by learning the definition of a computer,
the parts of a computer, differences between input and output devices, how to log on to
and shut down a workstation properly. They began working with the Microsoft Windows
Operating System and how to use Microsoft Word. Also parents used software such as
Rosetta Stone; students further developed their vocabulary and technology skills.
Goals Planned for the Next Period:
We also hope to employ other methods of spreading the word about the Parent Outreach
Program and increasing attendance. We intend to pre-register parents and have bus
routes scheduled prior to the program start date. We intend to make even more direct
contact with the communities we serve.
We will continue the ESL classes through the Parent Outreach Program. When parents
learn English, school procedures, and so forth, the more they want to come to the local
school and be involved in their children’s education.
We will offer free reading materials to parents such as magazines, textbooks, novels.
We will provide additional forums to disseminate parent information in various
languages.
We will provide more fieldtrip opportunities for parents.
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Evaluation / Measuring Outcomes
Provide refugee parents with school information via orientation session
Number of parents served annually in various orientation sessions.
Annual Target
Actual
Actual
Actual
Actual
Service
Goal
FY
FY
FY
FY
or (5 Year Goal)
2006
2007
2008
2009
Parent
Orientation
500 (2,500)
510
575
655
600
Sessions
Indicator
75% of parents served will
demonstrate and increased
understanding, using pre/post test
Annual Target = 375, 75%
Actual
FY
2010
Total
562
2,542
FY 2006
FY 2007
FY 2008
FY 2009
FY 2010
375
74%
431
75%
491
75%
450
75%
421
75%
Provide skill instruction to refugee parents to foster increased school engagement
Number of parents served annually in a structured class.
Annual Target
Actual
Actual
Actual
Actual
Actual
Service
Goal
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
or (5 Year Goal)
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Number of
parents served
annually in a
300 (1,500)
350
410
450
450
400
structured
class.
Indicator
Based on those completing the
class, 80% will demonstrate
increased knowledge using
pre/post assessment.
Annual Target = 240, 80%
Total
2,060
FY 2006
FY 2007
FY 2008
FY 2009
FY 2010
280
80%
328
80%
360
80%
360
80%
320
80%
FY 2009
FY 2010
298
300
Provide school based services to parent and/or school system personnel
Indicator
FY 2006
FY 2007
FY 2008
60% of parents served with an
initial school-based engagement
activity, and remaining in the
school system will return to the
300
310
300
school for at least one additional
school-based engagement activity
within 3 months.
Annual Target = 300, 60%
Georgia Department of Human Services
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2009-2010 Top Refugee Languages
Home Language
Total
Burmese
549
Nepali
396
Arabic
188
Somali
146
Kirundi
123
Amharic
77
Spanish
71
Vietnamese
71
French
45
Farsi
43
Swahili
41
Kunama
25
Nepalese
23
African
22
Kiswahili
15
2010-2011 Top Refugee Languages
Home Language
Total
Burmese
728
Nepali
458
Arabic
227
Somali
156
Kirundi
119
Amharic
68
Spanish
68
Swahili
64
Vietnamese
61
French
42
Kiswahili
35
Farsi
33
Nepalese
30
Kunama
28
Tigrinya
21
Georgia Department of Human Services
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2009-2010 Top Refugee Lanugages
Nepalese, 23
African, 22
Kunama, 25
Kiswahili, 15
Swahili, 41
Farsi, 43
French, 45
Vietnamese, 71
Spanish, 71
Burmese, 549
Amharic, 77
Kirundi, 123
Somalian, 146
Nepali, 396
Arabic, 188
2010-2011 Top Refugee Lanugages
Nepalese, 30
Farsi, 33
Kiswahili, 35
Kunama, 28
Tigrinya, 21
French, 42
Vietnamese, 61
Swahili, 64
Spanish, 68
Amharic, 68
Burmese, 728
Kirundi, 119
Somalian, 156
Arabic, 227
Nepali, 458
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Refugee Languages
Refugee Languages
2009-10
Home Language
Africaans
African
Albanian
Amharic
Arabic
Asia
Azerbaijani/Azer
Bangla
Bengali
Bini
Bokmal
Burmese
Cambodian
Chinese
Creole
Croatian
Dari
Dinka
English-Non/American
Ethiopian Languages
European Languages
Ewe
Farsi
French
Fulani
Ghanian
Gio
Gokana
Hindi
Ibo
Kalenji
Khmer
Kikongo
Kinyarwanda
Kirundi
Kiswahili
Korean
Krio
Kunama
Kurdish
Macedonian
2010-11
Total
2
22
3
77
196
4
1
1
3
1
1
599
1
6
6
3
1
5
68
5
4
1
43
45
6
2
11
4
1
1
1
1
1
8
123
15
4
7
25
15
1
Home Language
Africaans
African
Albanian
Amharic
Arabic
Asia
Azerbaijani/Azer
Bangla
Bariba
Bengali
Bini
Burmese
Cambodian
Chinese
Creole
Croatian
Dari
Dinka
Divehi
English-Non/American
Ethiopian Languages
European Languages
Ewe
Farsi
French
Fulani
Ghanian
Gio
Gokana
Haitian Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Ibo
Indian
Kalenji
Khmer
Kikongo
Kinyarwanda
Kirundi
Kiswahili
Korean
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Total
2
21
3
68
227
3
1
2
2
3
1
728
1
6
10
1
3
6
1
53
5
3
1
33
42
5
2
8
4
3
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
10
119
35
3
Mande
Mandingo
Nepalese
Nepali
Nuer
Nyanji
Ogoni
Oromo
Other African
Other Asian
Other European
Persian
Punjabi
Russian
Sango
Serbo-Croatian
Sign Language
Slovak
Somali
Soto
Spanish
Swahili
Thai
Tigray
Tigrinya
Turkish
Urdu
Uzbek
Vietnamese
Wolof
Grand Total
2
5
23
414
1
3
5
11
11
7
1
4
1
4
3
13
1
2
146
1
71
41
6
1
12
3
5
3
71
1
2196
Krio
Kunama
Kurdish
Mande
Mandingo
Nepalese
Nepali
Nuer
Nyanji
Ogoni
Oromo
Other African
Other Asian
Other European
Other Indian
Persian
Punjabi
Russian
Sango
Serbo-Croatian
Slovak
Somali
Spanish
Swahili
Tamil
Thai
Tigray
Tigrinya
Turkish
Urdu
Uzbek
Vietnamese
Wallisian
Wolof
Grand Total
Georgia Department of Human Services
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8
28
12
2
3
30
458
1
1
2
9
9
10
1
2
3
1
2
3
10
2
156
68
64
6
12
1
21
1
8
4
61
1
1
2424
DeKalb County Schools
Yearly Refugee Enrollment
3000
2424
Number of Refugees
2500
2196
2000
1592
1389
1500
1046
861
1000
500
0
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
School Year
Annual New Refugee Enrollment
1200
1109
Number of Students
1000
967
785
800
703
600
530
478
364
400
478
336
296
251
203
200
0
1999 - 00
2000 - 01
2001 - 02
2002 - 03
2003 - 04
2004 - 05
2005 - 06
2006 - 07
2007 - 08
2008 - 09
School Year
DEKALB INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SCREENING CENTER
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2009 - 10
2010 - 11
INTERPRETATION/TRANSLATION REPORT
August 2005 – August 2010
SCHOOL YEAR
AUGUST 2005-AUGUST
2006
AUGUST 2006-AUGUST
2007
AUGUST 2007-AUGUST
2008
AUGUST 2008-AUGUST
2009
AUGUST 2009-AUGUST
2010
INTERPRETATIO
NS
TRANSLATIONS
210
32
979
319
766
646
1210
728
1655
810
Georgia Department of Human Services
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DHR Semi-Annual Report – Refugee School Impact Grant
[ ] Monthly
[] Semi-annual
[ ] Quarterly
[ ] Annual
[X] 5 Year
DHR Contract #:
Period Covered by this report:
August 14
[ ] August 15 – February 14 [
] February 15 –
Contractor: Refugee Family Services, Inc.
5561-H Memorial Dr.
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
TO:
Georgia Department of Human Resources
Division of Family and Children Services
Office of Family Independence
Attn: Michael Singleton, State Refugee Coordinator
Two Peachtree Street, Suite 21-403
Atlanta, GA 30303-3142
Table 1: Summary of Services:
Activity
Goal for Contract Year
Parent Orientations Services
Actual Numbers Served
(Current Five Year
Reporting Period)
116
P-ESL Classes (referrals)
171
School Based Assistance
48 Schools
School Related Casework
514
Georgia Department of Human Services
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Service
Parent Orientations
Annual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual
Targeted
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
TOTAL
Goal
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
30 clients
40 (only
N/A
N/A
34
37
45
116
2010)
75% participants
will demonstrate
increased knowledge
75%
School Related
Casework
80 clients
(120 in
2006 and
2007)
50% of clients will
return to additional
school engagement
within six months
School Based
Assistance
100% of clients will
receive services as
requested
Summer Camp
Maintain an 80%
attendance rate
N/A
N/A
80%
86%
85%
84%
127
124
97
86
80
514
50%
N/A
N/A
52%
58%
56%
55%
15 schools
N/A
N/A
18
15
15
48
100%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
13
14
27
80%
N/A
N/A
N/A
82%
95%
88.5%
100% 100% 100%
100%
Major activities and accomplishments during this period –
Over the five years of the grant period, RFS fulfilled its goals. The majority of our
activities were related to providing language assistance and advocacy under school
related casework category. We assisted refugee parents with the following parent-school
engagement activities: special education meetings, parent-teacher conferences, school
workshops, SST meetings, interpreting school notes, resolving behavior incidents at
school, and referrals to after school programs.
From October 2005 through February 2007, we provided total of 580 school related
services. Since February 2007 we reported only first-time offered services to new parents
under this category, this number doesn’t reflect the total number of services provided.
From the total number of parents reported under school related casework (514), an
average of 55% returned to the school for a least one additional school based engagement
within six months.
Many refugee families received multiple services, especially those with two or more
school-aged children. We estimate that parents may have received more than 1,200
services during the entire grant period.
Georgia Department of Human Services
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Refugee students and their parents received assistance in the following languages:
Amharic, Albanian, Arabic, Bosnian, Burundi, Burmese, Cambodian, Farsi, French,
Kirundi, Russian, Somali, Vietnamese and Hmong.
We did not have clear defined outcomes for School Based Assistance category, however
we kept record of school served each year, according to that list we assisted total 48
Gwinnett public schools mainly with the interpretation services.
Parent Orientations
We started counting parent orientations as a separate category beginning in February
2007. Although most parents received more than one orientation on different topics, we
reported only one orientation per client. A total of 146 parents received orientations
during 2007-2010 grant periods. New clients received orientations on the following
topics: General orientation to the Gwinnett County School System and Gwinnett school
rules and regulations. We also provided refugee parents with several customized
orientations that covered a broad range of topics based on individual needs such as:
special education, online services for parents, Title I, graduation requirements, and GPS
disciplinary procedures.
The uniform set of assessments was used with parents who received orientation about
school system policies, more that 85% parents demonstrated an increased understanding
of this topic presented to them.
Problems Encountered
Gwinnett County is the largest county in the Atlanta area. The refugee population in
Gwinnett County is scattered throughout the county, which posed a great challenge in
terms of program recruitment. Even though we communicated on a regular basis with the
resettlement agencies, in order to obtain referrals of newly resettled families the referral
system did not reach full efficiency as we expected .We received fewer requests for
services from Gwinnett public schools than we anticipated. The extensive outreach within
Gwinnett Public Schools and program introduction to administrators did not increase the
number of referrals from GPS personnel. One of the possible reasons may have been the
lack of communication among school personnel; another possibility is that administrators
were not interested in utilizing our services, because RSIG services could only be
provided to refugee students. Even so, we were able to reach a good number of refugee
students by introducing the program directly to the teachers during school engagement
events such as parent-teacher conferences, open houses and curriculum nights.
In the second half of 2006, RFS went through a staff reorganization process due to the
funding cuts, and three part-time multilingual school liaisons were replaced with one
part-time school liaisons and independent contractors.
Significant findings and events
ESL Classes
Georgia Department of Human Services
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ESL classes were a much needed service in which refugee parents wanted to participate,
but often did not access due to transportation issues. Therefore, we found ways to hold
classes in locations which were convenient for parents to reach.
During 2006-2007 the Gwinnett School Liaison program offered ESL classes for refugee
parents with children at the World Relief offices in Lawrenceville. Nine parents were
enrolled, and showed a rate of attendance of about 90%.
In 2008 we started ESL classes at the Bosnian Community Center; sixteen students were
enrolled in the class. We offered class for two semesters, eight students from that group
completed the class with excellent attendance (95%). Eighty percent (80%) demonstrated
increased knowledge through a curriculum based assessment.
In the spring of 2009 we offered ESL courses for Moldovan and Ukrainian refugee
parents; the class was designed around their needs, and with the intention of providing
the maximum benefit to the students. One way of enhancing the learning experience was
creating a group consisting of five to six people. Due to fact that each family had a large
number of children, ranging from four to eight per household, we hired two babysitters
from within the Moldavian community. The students from that group completed the class
with excellent attendance (95%).
We discontinued offering ESL classes due to growing difficulties in securing free
classroom space; however, at the beginning of each school year, we made it a point to
compile a list of free ESL classes available in Gwinnett. A total of 171 parents were
referred to ESL classes throughout the county. In 2010 we tracked the number of parents
who actually started attending ESL classes after being referred, 70% of ESL class
referrals result in enrollment.
Summer Camp
During the summer break of 2009 we organized a four-week summer camp at the
Bosnian Community Center. The summer camp provided thirteen (13) children age five
to 12 with a structured educational environment. Each week of camp had a different
focus, children used their hands, imaginations, and creativity during a very pleasant
learning process, and they cultivated and tended their own garden. We recorded daily two
outcomes: the individual attendance and DEAR time (Drop Everything and Read).The
students spent total 89.5 hours in reading, and the average camp attendance was 82%
In 2010, we had a heterogeneous group of 14 refugee children ages 6-13. This year a
major emphasis was put on reading. The students got familiarized with the process of
making an appropriate reading selection, types of literature, and navigating the book store
and public library. The students enjoyed the subsequent discussions about their reading
choices and were happy to share the content of the books. We did not have a separate
reading program as previous year because in 2010 the camp emphasis was on reading
comprehension, our goal was to develop and nurture reading habit in all camp attendees
Georgia Department of Human Services
Subgrantee Report – Refugee Family Services, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
by offering a variety of reading material and having daily discussions. We reached high
average attendance of 95% due to fact that this year our program provided transportation
to all enrolled children.
During the course of the four weeks of summer camp, each Friday, students were taken
on field trips that supported that week’s lecture. The following places were visited:
Atlanta Zoo, Botanical Garden, Gwinnett Recycling Center, Fire Station, Fernbank
Science Museum, and The Center for Puppetry Art and Borders Bookstore.
Dissemination activities
In 2006, our School Liaison Program Fact Sheet was included in the Gwinnett County
School System Online ESOL Handbook. As result of the meeting with the Gwinnett
County School System ESOL Department and International Newcomer Center staff, a
system-wide email was generated notifying school personnel about our program. RFS
School Liaison Program information packets were distributed in a total of 32 schools.
Additionally, we distributed information packages to the Parent and Instructional Support
Coordinators from 26 Title I schools. Our staff participated in Title III Parent Outreach
Liaison meetings for two years. Program information packages were given to all
participating parent outreach liaisons working in more than 20 Gwinnett Public Schools.
Debra Furce, RFS program manager, presented at the Refugee and Immigrant Conference
in Chicago “How to Start a School Liaison Program”. She also co-presented
“Partnerships for Refugee Student Success: Bridging Services” with Dr. JL McBrien,
Assistant Professor at University of South Florida and Sandra Nuñez, Director of English
Language Learners Program . The presentation highlighted the partnership between the
school system and the refugee service agency in approaching and improving parent
involvement and the evaluation of this model by the researcher.
We regularly attended meetings organized by the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and
Human Services (the Coalition); this is a public/private partnership whose mission is to
facilitate collaboration that improves the well-being of the community. Our program was
added to the Common Client Information System, a database involving government and
non-profit user organizations that serve more than 275,349 consumers each year.
The RFS School Liaison program made up of culturally and linguistically competent
caseworkers provided a range of services to refugee families including advocacy for
educational services, translation/ interpretation, transportation, enrollment in community
programs, and problem-solving support. The program was a valuable asset to refugee
families in Gwinnett due to fact that their tremendous need for language access and
advocacy was not fully addressed by the limited resources of the Gwinnett County
Schools International Newcomer Center.
Jasmina Talundzic
Contractor Project/Program Manager
______10/29/1010_________
Date Submitted
Georgia Department of Human Services
Subgrantee Report – Refugee Family Services, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 2
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01
DUNS: 806743141
EIN: 1-581130678-A1
3. Major activities and accomplishments during this period:
The four project subgrantees are Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Lutheran
Services of Georgia (LSG), Refugee Resettlement & Immigration Services of Atlanta
(RRISA) and World Relief. The following chart summarizes the major activities, goals, and
results during the reporting period:
Major Activities/Services
Employment
English Language
Instruction
Immigration Services
Financial Literacy Classes
Computer Literacy Classes
Goals for Budget Period:
September 30, 2009 – September 29, 2010
Cuban/Haitian clients to be served:
Results for Reporting Period:
March 30,2010 – September 29, 2010
Cuban/Haitian clients served:
Catholic Charities – 20
Lutheran Services of Georgia – 12
RRISA – 40
World Relief – 20
Catholic Charities – 18
Lutheran Services of Georgia – 13
RRISA – 29
World Relief –19
TOTAL: 92 clients
Cuban/Haitian clients to be served:
TOTAL: 79 clients
Cuban/Haitian clients served:
Catholic Charities – 30
Catholic Charities – 45
TOTAL: 30 clients
Cuban/Haitian clients to be served:
TOTAL: 45 clients
Cuban/Haitian clients served:
Catholic Charities – 60
RRISA – 60
World Relief – 30
Catholic Charities – 39
RRISA – 50
World Relief – 33
TOTAL: 150 clients
Cuban/Haitian clients to be served:
TOTAL: 120 clients
Cuban/Haitian clients served:
RRISA – 20
RRISA – 10
TOTAL: 20 clients
Cuban/Haitian clients to be served:
TOTAL: 10 clients
Cuban/Haitian clients served:
Lutheran Services of Georgia – 40
Lutheran Services of Georgia – 42
TOTAL: 40 clients
TOTAL: 42 clients
During the third and fourth quarters sub- grantees served many Cuban-Haitian
nationals. Extensive outreach was conducted and clients were assisted with preplacement services, job placement, follow-ups, immigration services, financial
literacy and English language instruction.
April 23, 2010
Page 1 of 3
All Rights Reserved
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 2
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01
DUNS: 806743141
EIN: 1-581130678-A1
296 Cuban and/or Haitian clients received services during this reporting period.
50% of the client goal for the Financial Literacy Classes has been met, 10 clients
enrolled in the Financial Literacy Class. All of them (100%) completed a family
budget.
In addition of the 79 clients that received culturally and linguistically appropriate
employment services. Clients were assisted how to fill out job applications
accurately, how to create resumes, key words during interviews and other
employment services.
In this Semi Annual report there were 45 students received English Language
Instruction who completed pre-test and post test. Books from Thomas curriculum
series were purchased for each student.
Specific activities and accomplishments completed by subgrantees are included in
the attached subgrantee reports.
4. Challenges:
Due to administrative issues, fully executed contracts for the subgrantees were not
effective until December 1, 2009 and not administered until February 2010; which
delayed the implementation of services. As a result, actual services to refugees for this
first semi-annual report period reflect a shortened time frame.
Additional problems encountered by subgrantees are included in the attached subgrantee
reports.
5. Significant Findings and Events:
The most requests for Immigration services during this reporting period have been LPR
assistance and EAD assistance for Cuban clients. All clients served thus far have been
Cuban.
Specific significant findings and events for each subgrantee are in the attached subgrantee
reports.
6. Dissemination Activities:
April 23, 2010
Page 2 of 3
All Rights Reserved
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 1
September 30, 2009 – March 29, 2010
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01
As actual service delivery had been delayed, outreach was a major focus of the activities.
Sub-grantees utilized various venues to disseminate information on available services and
programs as well as attract clients. These included churches, local stores, and direct
client contact. In addition, referrals between the subgrantees have also been an effective
method.
Dissemination activities by each subgrantee are in the attached subgrantee reports.
7. Other Activities:
Two sites for the English Language classes have been secured, with a third site being
researched. An English Language Instructor has been secured and has completed two
trainings: “Best-PLUS English language proficiency exam administrator” and “Best
Practices in Lesson Planning for Teaching Adult ELIs.”
Although not served under this grant, RRISA, one of the Subgrantees has resettled 68
Haitian clients that were injured during the earthquake in Haiti.
Other activities of the subgrantees are in their attached reports.
8. Activities Planned for Next Reporting Period:
During the next reporting period the English Language classes will begin. Two
orientations have been scheduled for April 2010. Services to clients will increase and it
expected that we will meet all service delivery goals.
Activities planned for the next reporting period by the subgrantees can be found in their
attached reports.
April 23, 2010
Page 3 of 3
All Rights Reserved
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 2
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01
Appendix
Subgrantee Reports:
Catholic Charities of Atlanta
Lutheran Services of Georgia
Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta (RRISA)
World Relief
April 23, 2010
Page 4 of 3
All Rights Reserved
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 2
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01
Contract Programmatic Report
[ ] Quarterly
[x] Semi-annual
Progress Report for Cuban-Haitian Program
Report Quarter/Year _July 2010- September 2010____
Contractor _Catholic Charities Atlanta_ Address _680 W. Peachtree St, NW_
City/State Zip _Atlanta, GA 30308_
Attn: _Frances McBrayer__
TO:
Georgia Department of Human Resources
Division of Family and Children Services
Office of Family Independence
Atten: Michael Singleton, State Refugee Coordinator
Two Peachtree Street, Suite 21-402
Atlanta, GA 30303-3142
Service
Employment
Service Goal
20
Actual Services
20
English Language
Instruction
Immigration Services
Financial Literacy
Computer Literacy
30
45
60
N/A
N/A
60
N/A
N/A
Narrative and Comments:

Major activities and accomplishments
Employment
During this period, extensive outreach towards the Cuban community was conducted
since the demand for services was not as high as originally expected. Sixteen clients
enrolled in the program. All of the clients served were Cuban. Sixteen clients received
April 23, 2010
Page 5 of 3
All Rights Reserved
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 2
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01
pre-placement services and seven clients received job placements services. Eight 90 day
follow-ups were successfully completed.
Immigration
Outreach efforts, including sending letters to clients who were assisted in getting
employment authorization documents, informing them on when they are eligible for
adjustment of status allowed Catholic Charities to fulfill its service goal for Immigration
Services.
English Language Instruction
Classes: Classes were held at 2 locations:
* Senior Connections office in Chamblee (Catholic Charities sub-office): Classes met
from April 12-September 29, 2010, with a class break from June 18 – July 19, 2010.
Classes met every Monday and Wednesday, 5-7:00 p.m. for a total of 40 times (80
hours). Total student enrollment was 10. Nine students were at the beginning level, and
1 was at the intermediate level.
* RRISA office in Decatur: Classes met from April 28 -September 29, 2010, with a class
break from June 19 – July 13, 2010. Classes met every Monday and Wednesday morning
from 9:30-11:30 a.m. through 8/9/10 and 2-4:00 p.m. from 8/11/10-9/29/10, for a total of
38 times (76 hours). There were 5 class levels: Pre-literate, Basic, Beginning,
Intermediate and Advanced. Total student enrollment was 35.
Outreach/Recruitment: Recruitment began again to start a class at the Duluth Goodwill
Career Center. Flyers were passed out to local churches, restaurants and community
venues throughout the month of September. It is anticipated that classes will begin in
mid-October. Recruitment for a new space for the RRISA class also took place this
semester. RRISA formerly provided 4 rooms for the ELI classes. One of those rooms was
converted into a computer classroom at the beginning of September, and is no longer
available for ELI. The lead instructor has been researching potential locations nearby
(churches, libraries, community venues) that are MARTA accessible and close to the
clients’ homes.
Students/Testing: A total of 45 students registered and completed the pre-test. Average
student attendance was 72 % (84 % at Senior Connections, 69 % at RRISA). Students
were pre- and post-tested using the BEST Plus, an English language oral assessment tool
developed by the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL). At Senior Connections, 6 of 10
students completed a post test. Fifty percent of those students advanced at least 1 SPL.
At RRISA, 26 students completed a post test. Sixty nine percent of those students
advanced at least 1 SPL. For more details on these results please see the “Successes and
Obstacles”
section
below
for
English
Language
Instruction.
Class Curriculum and Lesson Plans: Books from the Thomson-Heinle “Stand Out!”
curriculum series were purchases for each student. Book levels (Stand Out Basic, Stand
Out 1, Stand Out 3) were determined by the student’s pre-test SPL* level and the
instructor’s observations. Lesson plans were based on the Stand Out series lesson
planners. In the 3rd quarter, two field trips took place as part of the class curriculum:
April 23, 2010
Page 6 of 3
All Rights Reserved
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 2
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01
learning how to ride MARTA, and a trip to the Clarkston Community Center on World
Refugee Day.
Volunteers: A total of 13 volunteers assisted with teaching the RRISA classes.
Volunteers logged a total of 405 hours. Three of these volunteers were recruited through
Catholic Charities, and 10 were recruited through RRISA. At RRISA, volunteers also
taught unofficial classes during class break (June 22 – July 14).
Trainings: Four in-service ELI trainings were attended by the lead instructor and
volunteers. The trainings were on “Strategies for teaching Low Literate and Preliterate
ESL students” (5/2010 – Attended by lead instructor), “Adult ELI, Basics and Beyond”
(7/24/2010 – Attended by lead instructor and 3 volunteers), “Practical Techniques that
lead to student success,” (8/21/2010 – Attended by lead instructor and 3 volunteers), and
“The Student Centered Classroom” (9/18/2010 – Attended by lead instructor and 2
volunteers). The lead instructor also organized a meeting at RRISA for the volunteer
teachers to review the program goals and how to use the lesson planner (8/25/2010 –
facilitated by the lead instructor, attended by 2 volunteers).
*SPL=Student Performance Level, based on the BEST Plus test administration

Service trends
Employment
The majority of the clients served were Cuban. The average client age was 44. Ten
females and 9 males were served.
Immigration
Catholic Charities is beginning to see some clients return for extension of current status
and to begin new processes. Additionally, CCA is seeing paroled clients referred for
their initial EADs, as word seems to be spreading in the community that services are
available and that Employment Services can be received after obtaining necessary
documentation. Clients seem to like to be able to go to one agency for several services.
English Language Instruction
*One hundred percent of the students served at Senior Connections were Cuban, while
100% of students served at the RRISA site were Haitian. All but one of the Haitian
students arrived after the January earthquake and were resettled by RRISA. Total
students served were 78% Haitian (35 students) and 22% Cuban (10 students). 93% of
these clients live in the same apartment complex (Valley Brook Place in Decatur, GA).
*It has been more difficult to locate eligible Cuban students than eligible Haitian
students. Many of the Cubans who were contacted could not attend classes because of
work conflicts or status issues (i.e. they have been here longer than 5 years). The only
Cuban students who were able to attend classes were recently resettled by Catholic
Charities. The newly resettled Haitian community served by RRISA was more accessible
and also seem to be in greater need of ELI. Because they are in the initial stages of
resettlement, they also do not yet have conflicting work schedules.
April 23, 2010
Page 7 of 3
All Rights Reserved
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 2
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01

Success and obstacles
Employment
Successes- Many Cuban clients who initially expressed that they felt that they were not
fully employable received job placement services during this period. Extensive outreach
services were conducted, which resulted in the enrollment of 16 clients into the program.
The monitoring visit was successful and resulted in the recommendation of a new service
plan and standardized orientation to be provided to future clients. A new service plan was
developed and implemented. A standardized orientation is being developed.
Obstacles- The lack of funds to secure and EAD and the fee waiver denials posed
obstacles for many clients since it delayed their enrollment in the program. Outreach
towards the community was necessary since the demand was not as high as originally
anticipated. Limited-English language skills and lack of transportation continue to be
obstacles to employment for clients. Four clients moved out of the state and thus no
further services could be provided for them.
Immigration
Successes- CCA had complete success in reaching appropriate milestones in all of the
processes initiated with no rejections by USCIS except for some requests for fee waivers.
These few situations were addressed and resolved with the exception of one person who
is now saving for adjustment of status application. The DHS contract monitoring visit
was also successful.
Obstacles- Now that some of the clients are ready for adjustment, it is difficult for them
to pay the full application fee charged by USCIS ($1,010), CCA has 2 clients attempting
to save enough money, fee waivers are very hard to obtain from USCIS, and many clients
are opting to only renew their EAD’s for $340 because of the difference in cost.
English Language Instruction
Successes – Classes were held at Senior Connections (Chamblee) and RRISA (Decatur).
Student enrollment numbers exceeded the original number anticipated of 30 students. A
total of 45 students registered and were pre-tested for ELI classes. Student attendance for
the both classes was 72 %. The percentage for post-testing exceeded the expected 60%.
During this period, 71 % of students completed a post test. The results of those posttested also met with the expected outcomes. 61% of students in the Beginning
Literate/Low Beginner level increased their SPL level by at least 1, 100 % tested out of
High Beginning, and 100 % tested out of High Intermediate.
Obstacles – Establishing the class at RRISA at first proved to be challenging. All of the
students at this site had recently been medically evacuated from Haiti, and were in the
process of being resettled and moved into their new location until mid/late April. Because
of this, classes at RRISA started later than anticipated. At first, transportation was
April 23, 2010
Page 8 of 3
All Rights Reserved
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 2
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01
another obstacle for clients at the RRISA site as RRISA staff had to pick them up and
drop them off. This obstacle was solved by taking class time to teach students how to
ride MARTA, and then riding MARTA with the students from their homes to the
classroom site. Moreover, securing transportation for 5 Haitian clients, who are
handicapped and cannot take public transportation, proved to be difficult. RRISA usually
provides someone to pick up these clients, but on occasion there is no one available. On
these days, those handicapped students are not able to attend the class, which affects their
attendance record and ability to learn consistently. These clients will be applying to be
eligible for MARTA mobility, a handicapped accessible bus which can go directly to the
students’ houses.
* Classes did not start at a third site in Duluth since the 5 Cuban students who had
initially signed up for classes had work schedules that conflicted with class times. In
August, Catholic Charities came to an agreement with the host site in Duluth, Duluth
Goodwill Career Center, to change class times from 5-7:00 p.m. to 6-8:00 p.m. With this
change, recruitment efforts began again in September, and classes are anticipated to start
in mid-October. A reduction in the available classroom space at RRISA was also an
obstacle. In September, RRISA converted one of the 4 rooms that it provided for ELI
classes into a computer classroom which will no longer be available to use for class
space. RRISA is also anticipating converting another room used for ELI into office space
in the near future. Because of this anticipated reduced space and an increased student
enrollment, a new site is being sought. While no location has been secured as of this date,
the lead instructor is in negotiations with 2 potential venues that are MARTA accessible
and within walking distance from the apartment complex where most of the RRISA
students reside. Lastly, I-94s, Alien numbers, and Social Security numbers proved to be
difficult to obtain for the newly arrived Haitian students. The Haitian students who were
resettled by RRISA had I-94s that were incorrectly filled out at the border. Some of these
I-94s have been corrected, but many are still in the process of being corrected. As a
result, most Haitian students did not have a social security number. Therefore, this
information is missing in for the majority of clients listed in this report.
 Technical Assistance
None needed

Topics covered (Computer and Financial literacy)
N/A
Contractor Project/Program Manager
9/24/2010
Date Submitted
April 23, 2010
Page 9 of 3
All Rights Reserved
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 2
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01
Contract Programmatic Report
[ ] Quarterly
[X ] Semi-annual
Progress Report for Cuban-Haitian Program
Report Quarter/Year
Contractor Lutheran Services of Georgia
Address 1330 West Peachtree Street, Suite 300
City/State Zip Atlanta, GA 30309
Attn: Mukhtar Ismail
TO:
Georgia Department of Human Resources
Division of Family and Children Services
Office of Family Independence
Atten: Michael Singleton, State Refugee Coordinator
Two Peachtree Street, Suite 21-402
Atlanta, GA 30303-3142
Service
Employment
Service Goal
12 for year
English Language
Instruction
Immigration Services
n/a
Actual Services
13 served. Of these, 7
placed in jobs and 1
pending BUT SEE
NARRATIVE
n/a
Financial Literacy
Computer Literacy
n/a
40 for year
Narrative and Comments:
April 23, 2010
Page 10 of 3
All Rights Reserved
42 served this half-year;
a total of 46 served

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 2
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01
Major activities and accomplishments
Of the 46 clients taught employment-related computer skills by our computer
trainer during this fiscal year, all but 4 were served during the second half of the
fiscal year. Of the 46 clients, 18 were Haitian and 28 were Cuban. All
successfully completed the two-day, 9-hour course, and all single individuals and
families received free refurbished computers upon completion of the course.
Families represented by 2 or more members received only one computer for the
family. A total of 38 refurbished computers were delivered to clients’ homes and
installed by a nonprofit computer service, under contract to LSG.
Our employment staff worked with a total of 13 clients from the group of 46
computer students. Seven of those clients were placed in jobs, with an eighth
position still pending as of October 15th. Unfortunately, six of these placements
can not be counted, for the following reasons:
--Two clients from Catholic Charities were placed before LSG learned that
the clients were in Catholic Charities’ Matching Grant program. Catholic Charities
has therefore counted those clients.
--Two clients were placed in full-time jobs with benefits, then declined to
begin work because they decided that the pay (minimum wage) was too low.
--One client’s placement was inadvertently entered on the DHS database
under the regular employment program.
--One client was placed prior to the end of the fiscal year, but did not begin
working until the start of the next fiscal year.
Thus, despite the employment staff’s intensive efforts to find jobs for these
difficult-to-place clients, and despite their 8 successes, only one placement can
be counted in the current fiscal year.

Service trends
In the second half of the year, we began to serve Haitians. They are doing well in
our computer classes, thanks both to our computer trainer’s skill, and to the
assistance of several very good interpreters.
All of the Haitian clients state that they are eager to work, but some are still
caring for the earthquake victims whom they accompanied to the US. Some of
the clients also have disabilities that may make them difficult to place. And many
have not yet received the social security cards that they will need in order to work
in the US.

Success and obstacles
April 23, 2010
Page 11 of 3
All Rights Reserved
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 2
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01
Successes: The computer classes are well-attended, and the clients appear
happy both with their new computer knowledge and with their computers. LSG is
working with several excellent interpreters of both Spanish and Haitian Creole,
which has greatly facilitated transmission of computer skills to the clients.
We have exceeded our computer training service goal of 40 clients, by serving
46 clients.
Obstacle: The overwhelming obstacle regarding making our goal of placing 12
clients per year in jobs is that LSG does not resettle Cubans and Haitians and is
serving clients who are referred by other agencies. Unfortunately, those other
agencies have their own employment goals to meet under the Cuban-Haitian
contract, and are not sending clients to LSG who are suitable candidates for our
employment services. It appears that the vast majority of clients sent by the other
agencies are in their Matching Grant programs, a situation that did not become
clear to us until after we had made job placements for two of Catholic Charities’
Matching Grant clients.

Technical Assistance
None needed at this time.

Topics covered (Computer literacy)
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
The names of the parts of the computer.
How to use a mouse.
How to type on a keyboard.
How to make a new document, save a document, find a saved
document.
Assistance to open and use a free email account so that employers
can contact the job-seeker through email.
Basic Word and Excel instruction.
Resume creation.
Practice filling out an online job application.
How to assemble and maintain a computer (CPU, monitor,
keyboard, printer, etc.).
Internet safety.
Suzanne Autumn
Contractor Project/Program Manager
_
_10/15/10__________
Date Submitted
April 23, 2010
Page 12 of 3
All Rights Reserved
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 2
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01
Contract Programmatic Report
[ ] Quarterly
[X] Semi-annual
Progress Report for Cuban-Haitian Program
Report quarter/Year 4th quarter, 2010 (September)
Annex B
Contractor RRISA Address 4151 Memorial Dr. Suite 205 D City/State Zip Decatur, GA, 30032
Attn: Mukhtar Ismail
TO:
Georgia Department of Human Resources
Division of Family and Children Services
Office of Family Independence
Attn: Michael Singleton, State Refugee Coordinator
Two Peachtree Street, Suite 21-402
Atlanta, GA 30303-3142
Service
Employment
English Language Instruction
Immigration Services
Financial Literacy
Computer Literacy
Service Goal
Actual Services
40
NA
60
20
NA
41
NA
60
20
NA
Narrative and Comments:
 Major Activities and Accomplishments
Employment
During the reporting period RRISA hired a new Employment Assistant to work with Cuban and
Haitian clients. Mario Lima, a Spanish speaker who served at RRISA as a Recovery Corps
Service Member for one-year, replaced Jose Valer as the Employment representative and
Financial Literacy Instructor for the Cuban-Haitian community. Mario has been able to build trust
in the Cuban and Haitian community and has made several excellent job placements Cuban
clients. Additionally Mario has provided pre-employment services for Haitian medical evacuees
who have received EAD and Social Security Cards and will be working with these clients to
secure employment in up coming months. Due to their injuries and temporary immigration status,
these clients will be a challenge to place. Mario has done a great deal of preparation to try and
overcome some of these client’s barriers.
Financial Literacy
RRISA has been able to provide financial literacy classes for both Cubans and Haitians in
language. These classes have included hands on activities such as household budgeting and smart
shopping at a local grocery store.
Immigration
April 23, 2010
Page 13 of 3
All Rights Reserved
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 2
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01
The biggest accomplishment in the immigration program has been securing corrected I-94s and
EADs for Haitian Medical Evacuees. Upon arrival almost all of the 68 Medical Evacuees
resettled by RRISA arrived with mistakes on their I-94 cards. As these clients entered the country
under unusual circumstances, there was no clear procedure in place for handling corrections and
securing needed documents. The immigration team spent months working with US Customs and
Border Protection and USCIS to get corrections made and expedite EAD cards. Haitian clients
began receiving EAD cards at the end of August and are now able to apply for social security
cards, obtain Georgia ID cards and begin looking for work.
Inter-Agency Collaboration
RRISA has been able to collaborate with other DHS Cuban Haitian grant recipients to provide
holistic services to Cuban/Haitian clients. RRISA has resettled 68 Haitian Medical Evacuees this
year who have come to the US for treatment for serious injuries incurred in the earthquake. Many
of these clients have permanent injuries that impede mobility. These clients have had trouble
accessing mainstream ELI and other services. In order to insure that Haitian Evacuees are able to
access ELI services, RRISA has partnered with CCA to provide ESL classes at RRISA’s
Learning Center, which is ramp accessible and can easily accommodate persons with disabilities.
RRISA also refers Haitian clients to LSG for computer classes. Due to injuries and problems with
immigration documents, many Haitian clients are homebound. With time on their hands they
want to learn new skills, improve their English and access information about their home country.
After completing the LSG computer class, these clients receive a free computer. RRISA is
helping out by covering internet costs until clients are working and can assume these payments on
their own.
Service Trends
The major service trend for all three DHS services is service to the Haitian Medical Evacuee
population.
 Successes and obstacles
Successes1. Haitian clients receiving corrected I-94 cards and applying (and receiving) EAD
cards
2. Completion of financial literacy classes for Haitian Medical Evacuees
3. Providing pre-employment services for Haitian medical evacuees
Obstacles1. Mistakes on I-94 cards and lack of a clear process at USCIS has prolonged the wait
for EADs for Haitian Medical Evacuees
2. Since EADS are needed for Haitian Medical Evacuees to receive Social Security
Cards and Georgia IDs, Haitian clients have been unable to open bank accounts or
participate in employment services,
Note: Please send Client List with each quarterly and semi-annual reports
RRISA/Yulia Le Good
Contractor Project/Program Manager
09/22/2010
Date Submitted
April 23, 2010
Page 14 of 3
All Rights Reserved
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 2
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01
Contract Programmatic Report
[] Quarterly
[ X ] Semi-annual
Progress Report for Cuban-Haitian Program
Report Quarter/Year __3rd and 4th (April-September)______
Contractor _World Relief_______________
Address _655 Village Square Drive_______
City/State Zip _Stone Mountain, GA 30083_______________
Attn: __Brian Burt________________
TO:
Georgia Department of Human Resources
Division of Family and Children Services
Office of Family Independence
Atten: Michael Singleton, State Refugee Coordinator
Two Peachtree Street, Suite 21-402
Atlanta, GA 30303-3142
Service
Employment
Service Goal
18
Actual Services
17
English Language
Instruction
Immigration Services
NA
32
NA
25
NA
NA
NA
NA
Financial Literacy
Computer Literacy
Narrative and Comments:

Major activities and accomplishes
During the third and fourth quarters, World Relief served many Cuban
nationals with refugee and parolee with immigration and/or employment
services. Most clients were referred to World Relief by others in the
Cuban community or clients previously served by World Relief. One of
April 23, 2010
Page 15 of 3
All Rights Reserved



GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Family and Children Services
Refugee Resettlement Program
Cuban-Haitian Grant
Semi-Annual Progress Report 2
Award Number: 90RQ0026/01
World Relief’s refugee cases was placed in Moultrie with a U.S. Tie, and
the case manager has advertised our Cuban/Haitian services in that area as
well. This has already resulted in one employment client. After a line item
transfer of two services, World Relief has met its goal for both
immigration and employment services.
Service trends
World Relief has served only Cuban clients under the grant up to this
point. We are well equipped to serve the Cuban community. We continue
to reach out to the Haitian community, but have yet to receive any interest
in services.
Success and obstacles
There are no significant obstacles in providing immigration services.
Several clients received their parole renewals and LPR status was granted
to two others . Two clients served in the third quarter are now naturalized
citizens. Four employment clients were placed in jobs during the third and
fourth quarters. The main barrier to employment for clients served
continues to be English ability. World Relief staff continue to make
referrals to ELI as needed.
Technical Assistance -NA
Topics covered (Computer and Financial literacy) -NA
_Brian Burt__________________________
Contractor Project/Program Manager
__4/15/2010___________________________
Date Submitted
April 23, 2010
Page 16 of 3
All Rights Reserved
D
H
S
Georgia Department of Human Services • Division of Family and Children Services
Two Peachtree Street, Suite 19-490 • Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3142 • 404-651-8409 • 404-657-5105
January 18, 2011
Michael Singleton
State Refugee Coordinator
Georgia Department of Human Services
Division of Family and Children Services
Two Peachtree Street, Suite 21-402
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-657-5118
msingleton@dhr.state.ga.us
D
H
S
FINAL NARRATIVE REPORT:
Project Title:
Georgia Refugee Family Violence Intervention Program
I.D.:
62402
Report Period:
December 15, 2007 – December 14, 2010
Grant Amount:
$250,000
Project Goal:
To implement a domestic violence intervention program for
refugees in Georgia communities.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
B.
J.
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alk
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1. What measurable goals did you set for this project and what indicators did you use
to measure your performance. To what extent has your project achieved these goals
and levels of performance?
The overall goal of the program was to provide services that increased awareness of
domestic violence and reduced the occurrence rates of domestic violence within the
refugee communities of Georgia. There were 4 desired outcomes of the program:
 The various refugee communities would have an increased understanding of
domestic/family violence and be provided with information/resources to help
address this issue,
 Refugee men would understand violent behaviors, attitudes and ideas and be
provided with an opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge that would
enhance the decision to live a nonviolent life style,
 As a result of program, safety would be increased in the refugee communities, and
 There would be increased accessibility of educational materials on
domestic/family violence in various languages.
In addition to the numbers of refugees that received services, the measurable goals that
were set for the program were as follows:
Increased Knowledge Rates – this goal was established to show the refugees increased
understanding of Unites States (U.S.) laws, cultures and norms. Many of the refugees
come from backgrounds that do not necessarily label or recognize certain acts as DV as
in the United States. It may be culturally acceptable in some cultures for the male to use
both mental of physical acts in the relationship with no legal repercussions. It was
important that the refugees both understood that these acts are not acceptable in the US
and also have deeper health related implications. Standardized pre and post tests were
used to determine rates.


60% of Community Education participants would demonstrate increased
knowledge in issues related to Domestic Violence (DV) after participation in the
support group sessions.
60% of Men’s Group and Women’s Group Participants would demonstrate
increased knowledge in issues related to DV after participation in the sessions.
Attendance – attendance of the participants was also traced to see if there was any
correlation between test scores and attendance rates. For the 24 Week Men’s Program,
there was a mandatory attendance requirement and participants were only allowed to miss
2 classes before being removed from the program. Attendance records were maintained
for all sessions provided.

Maintain an 85% attendance rate in all programs.
The program was able to meet and exceed all proposed outcome measures. Participants
received useful information on domestic violence, how to seek help if needed and most
importantly began to talk about the issues (domestic violence) and learn alternative
Page 1 of 6
behaviors. The following graphs (Figures A & B) provide the results for each goal as
well as number of refugees served per program year.
Figure A
Total # Refugees Served by Program Year
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Year 1
2007-08
Year 2
2008-09
Year 3
2009-10
Totals
Community Education
(Co-ed)
267
267
264
798
Men's Group
18
22
35
75
Women's Group
30
25
57
112
During the 3 year grant
cycle a total of 985 refugees
were provided domestic
violence intervention and
prevention services. The
Community
Education
Sessions were a single event
to introduce the topic of
domestic violence. In the
support groups, women
participated in either 4 or 2
group sessions (based on
agency).
The
men
participated in either 4
group sessions or the full 24
week program.
Figure B
Each
program
year,
outcome measures were
either met or exceeded.
The average rate for
increased knowledge in the
program over the 3 years
was 90.96%. The graph
shows
the
yearly
percentages; the average
for each service over the 3
years was as follows:
Outcome Measures by Program Year
100.00%
90.00%
80.00%
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
Women’s Group
95.10%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Year 1 2007-08
Women's Group
Year 2 2008-09
Men's Group
Year 3 2009-10
Community Education Sessions
Men’s Group
91.17%
Community Education
86.60%
Page 2 of 6
Media outreach was another component of the program designed to increase awareness of
the program and resources available to the refugee communities. Although there was not
a set measurable goal, some information was gathered regarding the effect of the outreach
efforts. This information is provided in Question #7.
As initially stated, the overall goal of the program was to provide services that increased
awareness of domestic violence and reduced the occurrence rates of domestic violence
within the refugee communities of Georgia. Of the 36 refugee males that participated in
the court ordered 24-week program, 34 of them decreased the instances of domestic
violence incidents. In addition, this family violence intervention program has
demonstrated that awareness of domestic violence has been increased. As a result of
participation in the Community Education Sessions, more refugees have become aware of
and recognized the various forms domestic violence takes and have requested services
based on these sessions. Prior to the sessions, for many of the refugees, many acts of
domestic violence were tolerated; however due to the education provided through this
program the refugees have increased their knowledge as well as sought help to address
the problem.
2. Did the project encounter internal or external challenges? How were they
addressed? Was there something RWJF could have done to assist you?
Initially, there were some external challenges with obtaining copies of the participant’s
documents (id, I-94 card, etc.). Participants expressed concerns about conflicting
messages they received from their resettlement agencies and case managers about not
giving their documents to anyone. The resettlement agencies were contacted to inform
them of the DV program and to request their assistance in telling the newly arrived
refugees that it was safe to provide their documents to the agencies providing the DV
services.
Due to limited transportation with some of the refugees, location was also a challenge in
the initial stages. Agencies partnered with other local community agencies and public
resources; i.e. libraries, apartment complexes and activity centers in order to alleviate this
challenge.
Recruiting men for the program was another challenge in the first year due to the males
perception of the classes. The agencies met with refugee community leaders to present
the class material and show them how the program could strengthen their communities.
Once the community leaders were invested, they became the greatest recruiters and
helped to develop networks of support within the community.
As the refugees populations in Georgia began to change, so did the program participants.
Initially, African and Vietnamese refugees were the focus for one of the partners;
however as high numbers of Bhutanese and Burmese refugees entered Georgia, there was
a need for interpreters for these populations. The challenge was maintaining the quality
interpreters for the duration of the program. Many of the interpreters would find fulltime jobs and were no longer able to work on the program. There was constant
Page 3 of 6
recruitment and training of interpreters in order to have a pool of quality interpreters
available in the necessary languages.
Internally, the Department of Human Service (DHS) was on a spending freeze. Money
that was not for salaries or contracts (direct services) was to be used on a critical need
basis; therefore money that had been initially earmarked for training and other supplies
for the program was not able to be utilized.
3. Has your organization received funding from other foundations, corporations or
government bodies for the project RWJF has been supporting?
DHS receives funding from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to provide core
services to refugees including Domestic Violence prevention. From these funds, DHS,
through the Refugee Programs Unit, awarded a five year grant to one of the partner
agencies; the Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc. (CPACS), to provide
domestic violence prevention for the refugee communities by combining both prevention
and intervention. This grant began in 2007 and expires in 2012. To date, CPACS has
received $311,689. The amount for 2012 is undetermined as of this date.
In 2009, CPACS received a three year grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
called “Strengthening What Works” in preventing intimate partner violence in immigrant
and refugee communities. This grant supports the evaluation of the DHS-funded current
program as a model program. The grant totaled $160,000 over the 3 year period. In the
past fiscal year, evaluation work has included:
 Revised and implemented a pre/post test that reflects curriculum’s learning
objectives.
 Conducted 15 semi-structured interviews that seek to document the ‘how’ and
‘why’ the curriculum works to prevent domestic violence,
 Implemented an online journaling system for facilitators to document best
practices, suggestions for improvements and impactful stories.
Initial findings show the continued need for services and that the impact of the program
goes beyond education and support. Findings support that the program is strengthening
social connections, creating healthy social norms and building a web of community
connectedness.
Throughout the program there have also been several sources of in-kind support
including physical space as well as volunteer assistance.
4. When considering the design and implementation of this project, what lessons did
you learn that might help other grantees implement similar work in this field.
One of the biggest lessons learned is to understand the myriad of barriers that refugees
face; especially newly arrived refugees, and the cultural backgrounds and norms they
operate under before providing any type of service. When teaching sensitive topics such
Page 4 of 6
as domestic violence, it was especially important to recognize the cultural and linguistic
barriers of the refugee communities. A lot of effort needs to go into building trust within
the communities; such as working with the community leaders and elders as well as
providing other vital services in order to effectively work with the communities.
In addition to building trust within the communities, it was important to help establish
trust between the communities and other stakeholders (court/legal systems, social service
providers, etc.) in which they would interact. Special training to these stakeholders was
necessary to help them learn of the unique needs of the refugee population. In addition,
special training was provided to interpreters specifically on interpretation as related to
domestic violence.
Building a strong coalition that could address not just domestic violence needs was also
helpful in order to help the refugee make long lasting changes for themselves and their
communities. By either offering or being able to link them with trustworthy service
providers that addressed other familial issues such as: employment, education, gender
equality, etc., helped to reduce and/or prevent further acts of violence.
5. What impact do you think the project has had to date? Who can be contacted a few
years from now to follow up on the project?
The biggest impact has been with the participants themselves. The project had had a
positive effect in the communities served. The partners have been able to gain trust from
these communities and create great partnerships with other refugee serving organizations.
The participants are able to leave the program knowing the different 3 types of violence,
understanding the role of law enforcement and how to strengthen their communities from
within. Most importantly, each participant leaves the program knowing how to help
themselves or others in the community who are affected by domestic violence.
The project has also provided valuable information about how education can help to
prevent intimate partner violence in immigrant and refugee communities. This can be
demonstrated by an interaction that took place in the last women’s group session held by
CPACS:
The group was discussing how the participations in the session can make changes in their
community regarding domestic violence and gender inequality. After a moment of
silence, a woman said, “We can’t do anything. We are only half of the community. We
need the men to hear this class and want to make changes with us.” Then all the other
women nodded their heads in agreement and started to speak how difficult it would be to
do this in their community. The facilitator validated their opinions and views, then
challenged them to start these social changes within their own homes. The conversation
evolved to the women sharing ideas of teaching their sons how to cook; allowing their
daughters to go play instead of keeping them back to do chores, and allowing their
children who are of different gender to eat at the same time. All the women realized
these small examples are reachable and will have long lasting effects on their children
and future generations. Empowering women is not just empowering a single person; it’s
empowering the whole community.
Page 5 of 6
In addition, due to program achievements, CPACS was awarded a three year grant from
RWJF to evaluate and strengthen the exiting program.
For follow-up on this project, the following people can be contacted:
Michael Singleton – State Refugee Coordinator; Department of Human Services;
msingleton@dhr.state.ga.us; 404-657-5118
Marianne Chung – Associate Director; Center for Pan Asian Community
Services; Marianne.chung@cpacs.org; 770-936-0969
Vanisa Karic – Executive Director; Tapestri, Inc.; vanisa@tapesri.org; 404-2992185
6) What are the post-grant plans for the project if it does not conclude with the
grant?
Due to the need and success of this program, it will continue at the conclusion of the
grant. In addition to existing funds, partners are seeking funds from various sources in
order to continue providing services. CPACS will also continue with the RWJF
evaluation grant and develop a curriculum that targets young adults.
7) With a perspective on the entire project, what have been its key publications and
national/regional communication activities? Did the project meet its
communications goals?
Communication activities for this program have primarily been informative pieces geared
toward local residents. Ads visually depicting the cycle of domestic violence were placed
in Chinh Nghia, a local Vietnamese language magazine; Abol, a magazine for Ethiopian
audiences; and in Atlanta Viet Bao, another Vietnamese magazine. In addition, ads on
the Men’s program as well as article “How Children are affected” were placed in Dinq,
an Ethiopian magazine; Merchant of Atlanta, a Russian Magazine; Rang Dong, a
Vietnamese newspaper and Russian Town, a Russian newspaper.
Radio announcements/commercials were aired on Sagal radio, on both the Bhutanese and
Somali radio stations and Admas, Ethiopian and Somali radio. The communications
goals were met.
Tapestri has received increased number of calls for assistance after the aired radio
announcements. Community members have also called and expressed interest to
volunteer and help with program activities.
The communication efforts resulted in increased participation in the program. The
commercials aired on the Bhutanese radio station as well as the ad in the Vietnamese
magazine resulted in increased participation from these groups of refugees. Participants
stated that they were informed of the services from the ads and spread the word in their
communities.
Page 6 of 6
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
Atlanta, GA Resettlement Program
Monitoring Report
Agency:
Jewish Family & Career Services, Atlanta, GA
Monitors:
Aaron Gershowitz, Director, Refugee and Immigrant Services
Tatyana Rapaport, Sr. Program Associate, Refugee Resettlement Unit
Date:
September 20-22, 2010
MONITORING PROCEDURE
The monitoring visit was conducted over the course of three days, and consisted of a
review of both the Reception and Placement (R&P) Program and the Matching Grant
Program for the period from July 1, 2009 through July 31, 2010. During this time,
JF&CS of Atlanta resettled 21 refugee cases, with a total of 39 individuals. In
addition, the agency enrolled 4 asylee cases (8 individuals) in the Matching Grant
Program. Monitors reviewed a total of ten refugee case files plus the 4 asylee files,
and conducted four home visits. The home visits were made to three refugee
families from FSU, Iran and Iraq, and one asylee family from Kenya. The monitors
also had a chance to visit an employer with which the affiliate places refugees and
asylees, MedSide Healthcare, which provides adult personal care services to multiethnic Atlanta population, including skilled nursing, physical and occupational
therapy, speech therapy and social service assistance. MedSide Healthcare, founded
by former refugees from FSU, employs newly arriving refugees with appropriate
skills.
Monitors met with the resettlement program staff, consisting of International
Services Program Director Irina Nikishin and Resettlement Coordinator Fariba
Kholosi. In addition, monitors met with the agency’s Chief Operating Officer Rick
Aranson, Accounting Manager John Jordan, and Employment Coordinator at JF&CS
Refugee and Immigrant Training and Employment (RITE) Program Africa Roberson,
all of whom are involved with the refugee program. Monitors also met with the
Georgia State Refugee Coordinator Michael Singleton and his staff. The purpose of
the meeting was to discuss issues concerning refugees coming to Atlanta, and to talk
about how these issues are being addressed not only by JF&CS but also by the
community at large. This meeting was also attended by Larisa Naydenova, Vice
President of Interactive College of Technology, where many of JF&CS’ refugee and
asylees clients are referred for English Language Training and vocational education.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
This was the first monitoring visit to Atlanta since 2003, as the affiliate had resettled
fewer than 25 refugees in each year. Despite low arrivals, the agency had remained
active in providing services to refugees in the community beyond the initial
resettlement period, and staff has participated regularly in HIAS conferences and
other training activities so as to remain current in the program. This number was
anticipated to be exceeded for the first time in 2010 (35 total), so a monitoring was
scheduled.
Jewish Family and Career Services (JF&CS) was founded in 1890 as a resettlement
agency. Refugee resettlement remains one of the core programs of the agency,
which provides over 40 different programs to Atlanta population. JF&CS offers a
continuum of services and programs that meet the challenging circumstances
people confront during the span of their lives. Over the past 30 years, the agency has
been traditionally resettling Jews from the former Soviet Union, but in the last
several years it has begun to diversify its mostly U.S.-ties case load, which now
includes Iranian religious minorities and, lately, Africans, Burmese and Iraqis. The
agency also reaches out to the asylee population and provides Matching Grant services
to them. In addition, during the period under review the agency had one victim of
human trafficking case. Nearly all refugees are enrolled in the Matching Grant
program. The staff is dedicated to expanding the program further and providing a
high level of resettlement services.
Local Resettlement Environment
Atlanta is an extremely diverse city with a large immigrant and refugee population.
Five other Voluntary Agency affiliates serve refugees in Atlanta -- Catholic Charities,
Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta, the International Rescue
Committee, Lutheran Services of Georgia, and World Relief – and provide a strong
network for collaboration. Several mutual assistance associations also assist
refugees, including Refugee Family Services, Tapetsri, Refugee Women’s Network,
Somali association, Women Watch Afrika, and Kurdish Community Center. The
Department of Social Services, employers, and the city school districts are familiar
with refugee populations and have been successful partners in the resettlement
process.
Despite the economic downturn and high statewide unemployment rate, the job
market in Atlanta has been slowly improving. Most of U.S.-ties refugee populations
that the agency serves live primarily in Fulton, Cobb and Gwinnett counties, where
living conditions are much better and of higher standards. Welfare assistance in
Georgia is very low and JF&CS’s clients do not access it because the affiliate puts all
employable refugees on the Matching Grant Program, and ensures that at least one
2
person in the family obtains employment by the end of 120 days or earlier. In
addition, as the caseload is all family reunification, relatives often assist with
Program Services
JF&CS of Atlanta receives Reception and Placement and Matching Grant funding
administered through HIAS. The agency also receives Refugee Family Strengthening
funding through HIAS, but Family Strengthening was not included in this monitoring
visit. In addition, since September 30, 2010 the agency will be participating in the
new Preferred Communities program, administered by HIAS.
JF&CS uses
Federation allocation to supplement the program, as well as donations and
volunteer services.
Jewish Family and Career Services has several non-refugee specific programs that
refugee clients can access, including the JF&CS Volunteer Program, Immigration
Services, Counseling Services, Food Pantry, and free dental care (through volunteer
donation).
Staffing
The resettlement program is housed within the larger International Services
Department. The JF&CS Atlanta refugee resettlement program is staffed by a fulltime Resettlement Director and a part-time Resettlement Coordinator. The
resettlement staff speaks Russian, Arabic and Farsi. In addition, the program staff
has access to interpretation services if such a need arises. JF&CS will soon be hiring
a Case Manager for their new Preferred Communities project, which will focus on
work with single refugee women with children.
The monitors observed a good interaction among the staff, a willingness of staff
members to take on extra responsibility, and a general understanding of the
requirements of the federally-funded programs. Staff members also had developed
close relationships with their clients and were aware of each case’s particular needs,
a commendable accomplishment considering the size of program staff and their case
load.
CORE SERVICES
Pre-Arrival and Reception Services
The agency’s refugee case load mainly consists of Iranian and Iraqi U.S.-ties cases,
and a few FSU reunification families. The anchor relative is informed of program
services and requirements when they file the AOR or Interest form. Once a case has
been approved, JF&CS has a meeting with the relative to sign an anchor agreement
and to review the services and requirements of the program. JF&CS uses this
meeting to discuss how staff can work with the anchor relative to provide housing,
3
furniture, and other supplies that the refugee will need. The anchor typically makes
the arrangements for meeting relatives at the airport, initial housing, basic furniture
and immediate food. JF&CS’s resettlement coordinator organizes additional
furniture delivery to the refugee’s home, if needed.
Housing and Basic Needs Support
Housing in Atlanta ranges between $500 for a one-bedroom to $750 for a threebedroom apartment. The majority of U.S.-ties cases stays with their relatives upon
arrival for the initial period of 7-10 days and then moves to their newly-rented
apartments. In some cases, refugees rent basement areas from their anchor
relatives, where they stay for 6-12 months. In other cases, refugees move into the
apartments that have been rented for them before their arrival by the anchor
relatives/friends.
Generally the refugees’ relatives or friends take the initiative to locate safe housing
for incoming refugees predominantly in the areas where they themselves live, in
Fulton, Cobb and Gwinnett counties of Atlanta. In those cases in which the “U.S. tie” is
unable to identify appropriate housing, the resettlement staff will provide
recommendations and/or secure the housing themselves. From the sampling of
homes visited by monitors, it is clear that apartments are clean, well-furnished, and
safe.
With the increase in R&P per capita funding, the agency allocates $1,100 per
refugee. Of this amount, each client receives a $425 check upon arrival. The
program coordinator works out a budget with each family separately and the
families make decisions on how to spend the rest of their allocation. Most families
opt to get increased rent payments over a 90-day period. Some prefer gift cards that
the agency purchases for them at Wal-Mart and Super Target. Monitors found that
payments were clearly documented in the case files, and all expenditures were
acknowledged by the refugee clients’ signatures. JF&CS also provides in-kind
support by distributing furniture, clothing, household items and food donations.
Orientation, Referral Services, and Case Management
Initial intake and orientation services are provided to all newly arrived refugees
within five days of arrival. All required services and referrals are provided to
refugees including referrals to DSS, health screenings, ESL referrals, enrollment in
school, employment services, home visits, and referrals to other community
services. Usually, orientation sessions are provided individually to each arriving
family. However, when appropriate, JF&CS schedules group orientations. The
program staff also provides information on public transportation system, apartment
leases, and banking. Orientations are conducted in the clients’ language, and
JF&CS’s staff distributes useful materials that are translated into Russian, Arabic,
and Farsi.
4
Generally, the intake, orientation, referrals and development of the resettlement
plan were all done during the same initial office visit. While the files and
conversations with the staff made it apparent that these activities were repeated
and reinforced in more informal ways throughout the resettlement period, the
monitors expressed concern that the refugees were inundated with too much
information during this first meeting to be able to absorb it all in a coherent manner.
We therefore recommended that these activities be spread out over 2 or 3 meetings
during the first several weeks after arrival.
Usually, anchor relatives assist clients in filing applications for their Social Security
Card. It takes an average 7-10 days to receive a Social Security Card. An assigned
worker from the Multi-County Unit of Fulton DFACS comes to JF&CS at the time of
the orientation session with a new family to take their application for food stamps
and Medicaid. Refugees start receiving their benefits in 3-4 weeks, which are
retroactive to the day of the application. For medical emergencies and high-risk
clients, Emergency Medicaid is faxed to the agency or doctor’s office next day after
the application was filed.
Because of the large numbers of refugees arriving to Atlanta, there have been delays
in scheduling health screening appointments, which can take up to three months.
JF&CS’s clients who reside in other than DeKalb counties obtain health screening
appointments within 30-45 days. There is an ongoing advocacy effort by VOLAGs
and the Georgia State Refugee Coordinator for the improvement in this area.
The case management follow-up was thorough and on-going as documented in the
case files. The first home visit occurred within 5 days of arrival and the second by
the end of a 30-day period to each case. Program Coordinator is available to clients;
she helps in the implementation of the resettlement plan, provides referral services
and support, and assists when problems arise. Program Coordinator is in contact
with clients, anchor relatives, and outside service providers throughout the entire
resettlement period and beyond.
ESL and Employment Services
All non-English speaking refugees are enrolled in ESL in a timely manner. As JF&CS
does not have a structured ESL program, resettlement staff refers clients to the ESL
classes in the area where refugees live, including DeKalb Tech and Interactive
5
College of Technology, which are the most popular among refugees. Clients are
tested at those locations and placed at the appropriate level. The agency developed
a form that ESL teachers fill out to reflect clients’ attendance. JF&CS offers ESL,
Civics and Citizenship preparation classes to their clients.
Employment services are provided to refugee clients in-house at JF&CS through the
Matching Grant Program for all employable refugees.
The Resettlement
Coordinator, who also functions as an Employment Specialist, assesses clients’ skills,
informs them about current job market, works with clients to develop employment
goals; helps them with resume preparation and job search techniques. She also
develops contacts with potential employers, and mediates between employees and
employers. Mock interview class is provided to refugees within 40-60 days after
their arrival. The relatives or friends accompany clients to job interviews. On some
occasions, the agency’s RITE program Employment Coordinator assists the
Resettlement Coordinator with employment opportunities for her clients. In rare
cases, generally when the refugee chooses to live in a location far from the JF&CS
office, the Resettlement Coordinator refers clients to other VOLAGs’ programs which
receive employment and employment upgrade funding from the State.
Case File Preparation
R&P Case Files:
Case files contained all required official documentation, such as biographical data
forms, assurance forms, I-94s, copies of social security cards, resettlement plans and
90 day reports. Orientation and home visit checklist are completed in a timely
fashion. Case notes indicated consistent contact with the clients, either at the
clients’ homes or at the office. Issues of concern appeared to be handled quickly and
professionally by JF&CS staff. Case notes generally indicated a clear pattern of
following up with issues that arose during the resettlement period. However, the
case notes were nearly always written by the resettlement program coordinator,
even when she was not the person providing the service described. These notes also
included extraneous material, such as e-mails, resumes and other documents, which
interrupted the flow of the case log. Finally, R&P and Matching Grant Program notes
were commingled, rather than being clearly demarcated. The monitors made
recommendations (see below) to address each of these issues.
Resettlement plans were found in all of the files, but were mostly generic and
lacking in detail and specificity. More attention needs to be paid in these plans to the
individual needs of each refugee and the concrete plans for each one. (See
Summary and Recommendations.)
Home Visits
Monitors conducted three home visits to the refugees from Russia, Iran and Iraq.
6
The first home visit was to a family from Russia consisting of a single mother and
her nearly 6 year old son. They had arrived in March 2010, and had come to Atlanta
to join her mother, brother and other relatives who were well established in the
community and lived nearby. The family lived in a comfortable, well-furnished onebedroom apartment in a clean and safe apartment complex on the north side of
Atlanta. All required items were in the apartment, as well as a television and
computer. This was the second apartment they had lived in as she was not satisfied
with the school in the neighborhood of the first apartment, which was selected by
her brother against the advice of JFCS staff. When the refugee told the agency she
wished to move, they helped her locate another apartment and she moved within a
month. The refugee was pleased with the new location and reported that her son
was doing well in the neighborhood school. The refugee had been enrolled in the
Matching Grant Program, and JFCS had paid for her rent and other basic expenses
out of R&P and then Matching Grant funds until she began working in June. At the
time of the visit was working as a home health aide for $7.25/hour, with hours
varying from 25-35 hours/week. The rent for the apartment was $597/month plus
utilities. She also received $325/month in food stamps. The refugee reported that
her income was just enough to cover her basic expenses, but that her mother,
brother and other relatives were helping her out with additional money for other
purchases. The refugee reported that the resettlement staff of JFCS had been very
helpful from the time of her arrival, providing a detailed orientation, referring her to
all necessary services, furnishing the apartment and most importantly providing
good advice and assistance in finding work and getting her son enrolled in a good
school, and helping her to enroll in English language classes. She reported that she
and her son had both had their medical screenings, and her son had been
immunized for school, but that there was a delay of a couple of months after arrival
before that happened. As they had no health problems, this had not been a
significant concern. Overall, she expressed satisfaction with her living situation, and
with the services provided by JFCS.
The second home visit was to an Iranian family of five – a married couple in their
early 40s and their 3 children, ages 16, 11 and 3. They had arrived in Atlanta in June
2010, joining the principal applicant’s sister and a number of other relatives. They
lived in a comfortable 3 bedroom apartment in a gated apartment complex in
Marietta, just north of Atlanta. This area had been chosen because it was close to the
homes of their relatives. The apartment was clean and well furnished, with all
required items plus everything else the family might need. The refugee reported
that the resettlement agency paid for most furnishings, which were selected by the
family, and was covering the rent and utilities, first through R&P funds, and then
through the Matching Grant program. The rent was $830/month plus utilities. The
husband was working part time in a grocery store as a stock clerk making
$7.25/hour, and the wife was earning some money as a babysitter, together earning
approximately $1,000/month. They were also receiving food stamps. The refugees
did not think that this would be sufficient to cover their costs once the Matching
Grant assistance ended, and so they were still working with JFCS staff to locate
better paying employment. However, they were confident that their relatives would
7
help them make ends meet in the meantime. Both the husband and wife were
enrolled in ESL, and the children were enrolled in the local public school. The family
was very pleased with the assistance and welcome provided by JFCS, and
particularly noted the toys that had been given to the children. They reported
receiving sufficient cash from the agency, and referrals to all needed services.
Everyone in the family had received medical screenings, and they were being seen
by a Farsi-speaking doctor. Overall, they were happy with their situation, and glad to
be with their family in Atlanta.
The third home visit was to an Iraqi family of five – a husband, wife and their three
children (two sons, 4 and 10 years old; and a 15-year-old daughter), who arrived in
June 2010 from Jordan. The family had recently moved to a new apartment after
living for two months in the previous place, which was initially rented for them by
their sponsor. The two-bedroom apartment was safe, clean, and well-furnished.
The family reported that all core services were provided to them in a timely
manner; they had Medicaid and were receiving food stamps. They also had their
health screenings done. The wife was following up with a doctor regarding her
problem with equilibrium. The husband spoke good English and was able to
communicate with the monitor without interpreter. The wife, who spoke some
English, was referred to ESL classes, which she did not start yet due to her medical
condition. The older children attend school and the younger child stays home with
his parents. All children seemed happily adjusting to their new environment. The
family is enrolled in the Matching Grant program. The husband, who worked as an
English-language interpreter in Iraq was currently looking for a job. He expressed
his concern to the monitor about his ability to support the family after the Matching
Grant period ends. He also spoke warmly about resettlement staff and the agency
that help resettle them.
Summary and Recommendations
The monitors were particularly impressed by the dedication, resourcefulness and
friendly manner of the resettlement staff. Overall, the program at JF&CS of Atlanta
was found to be in compliance with the Reception and Placement and the Matching
Grant program requirements. The agency clearly provides excellent services to its
clients, and plays an important, much appreciated role in the refugee community.
The Georgia State Refugee Coordinator highly praised JF&CS’s resettlement program
as “a model program for the state; small but very effective program whose work
should be replicated”.
Some relatively minor concerns were noted above, and certain aspects of the
program could still be improved upon. Specific recommendations or corrective
actions are as follows:
Case Files – R&P and Matching Grant documents and case notes must be kept
separate in clearly marked sections of the files. This is especially important in
8
regard to financial documentation. In addition, in-kind donations and volunteer time
used for the R&P program need to be tracked and included in the files.
Resettlement Plans – The resettlement plans tended to be generic and descriptive
of activities taking place, rather than providing a plan of action for the future. The
resettlement staff needs to work more closely with the refugees to identify their
needs and interests and to design a plan that will address their specific situation and
help them to overcome barriers they face.
Case Notes – The case notes should be made by the staff person performing the
service or meeting with the refugee whenever possible. If for some reason the
person writing the note is different from the person providing the service, this
needs to be clearly stated and explained in the case note log. The case notes should
not be interspersed with e-mails, resumes and other extraneous documents. The
R&P notes should be clearly separated from Matching Grant notes.
Intake, Orientation and Development of Resettlement Plan – These activities,
along with provision of referrals, generally took place at the same initial office visit
within a few days after arrival. It was apparent from talking to the refugees that they
were exhausted and overwhelmed at this visit, and so had difficulty retaining the
information provided at that time. We recommend that JFCS space out these
activities into two or three visits during the first few weeks, limiting the first visit to
a basic orientation, introduction to the agency staff and provision of the referrals,
followed by a more comprehensive orientation and development of the resettlement
plan at a later date.
9
ORR Microenterprise Development Program
Statistical Reporting Form
Agency:
Refugee Women's Network, Inc.
Grant Start Date
30-Sep-07 Date of Report:
Report Period Start Date
A.
30-Sep-10
1-Apr-10 Report Period End Date
30-Sep-10
Enrollment Data
Definition of client: A client is a person who is formally enrolled in the microenterprise program and
participates in a peer lending group or receives training, technical assistance (TA), or financing beyond an
initial contract.
1.
Total clients served by the program:
A.
New clients served during this reporting period
16
B.
Clients from a previous grant enrolled in this program
0
C.
Clients enrolled in a previous reporting period
130
D.
Total clients served since ORR program began
146
*Unduplicated count refers to the actual number or people enrolled in the program, avoiding a
duplicate count for persons who are being served in more than one component.
2.
Total clients served by the components of the program:
Cumulative # of
participants since ORR
program began
Orientation
Microenterprise Training (group)
Business Plan Technical Assistance (one-on-one)
Sales/Marketing TA
Loan/Credit TA
Financial/Accounting TA
Follow-up TA
Other TA
45
19
50
17
24
8
15
13
The numbers listed in question 2 refer to the number of people who participated in each ORR
program component; assuming that a client will participate in more than one of the
component(s) that is (are) being most heavily used, or if participants go through the components
sequentially, this will show that attrition from one component to another.
B.
Client Data
3.
Age Distribution:
0
22
53
52
20 or less
21-30
31-40
41-50
4.
Gender:
146
Female
5.
Current Marital Status:
63
27
Married
Separated
Divorced
14
4
1
51-60
Over 60
Unknown
Male
22
34
1
Widowed
Never Married
Unknown
Unknown
6.
Refugee origin:
0
0
0
0
2
0
1
3
7.
Ethiopia
Former Soviet Union
Haiti
Hmong
Hungary
Iran
Iraq
Laos
Liberia
Poland
0
33
0
6
0
0
0
0
60
Romania
Somalia
South Africa
Sudan
Thaidam
Tibet
Uganda
Vietnam
Other (specify)
Kurdistan, Ivory Coast, Kenya
Mali, Sierra Leone, DRC, Buthan,
Rwanda, Cameroon, Uzbekistan
Colombia, Congo
Less than 2 years
33
2-5 years
83
More than 5 years
54
63
Conversational
Proficient
4
Unknown
Level of English language competency:
2
23
9.
11
0
2
0
0
5
1
0
22
0
Time from date of entry in the United States to enrollment in the program:
30
8.
Unknown
Afghanistan
Albania
Armenia
Bosnia
Burma
Cambodia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Eritrea
None
Little
Number of clients receiving Public Assistance (AFDC, GA, GR, SSI, TCA):
A. Receiving Cash Assistance:
13
Yes
131
No
2
Unknown
Yes
100
No
1
Unknown
No
1
Unknown
B. Receiving Food Stamps:
45
C. Receiving Housing Assistance (including public housing):
6
Yes
139
10.
Single Parents:
74
72
11.
Total household monthly gross income (number of clients in each category):
3
Less than $100 / month
15
$100 -$500 / month
14
$501 - $1,000 / month
29
$1,001 - $1,500 / month
22
$1,501 - $2,000 / month
46
$2,001 and more / month
17
Unknown
12.
Number of dependents (Count children and others dependent on household income):
29
Number of clients who are single parents
Number of clients who are not single parents
Unknown
Clients with 0 dependents
16
2
Clients with 5 or more dependents
146
66
30
13
Clients with 1-2 dependents
Clients with 3-4 dependents
Below
Below
Below
Below
150% HHS
185% HHS
80% HUD
8 years or less
9-12 years
39
9
Family-owned business
38
8
13-17 years
18 or more years
17
Unknown 146
Yes
Yes
96
125
No
No
11
12
Unknown 146
Unknown 146
Number of clients with previous work experience in the United States (there may be duplication) :
92
17.
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Number of clients with previous business experience:
Own a business/self-employed
16.
At or Above
At or Above
At or Above
At or Above
Educational level completed (number of clients in each category):
32
51
15.
Unknown
Number of low-income clients at the time of enrollment based on family size:
100% HHS
14.
5
Full-time
54
Part-time
Full-time
30
Part-time
Unknown
146
Unemployed
Unknown
146
Employment at time of enrollment:
65
C.
Business Data
18
8
34
17
Number of business starts
A. Type of business (primary activity):
8
Manufacturing/Production
Retail
Service
Other
B. Location of business:
8
Home-based
Not home-based
C. How many are:
8
Part-time
Full-time
D. Employee status: (jobs created)
Number of full-time employees
Number of part-time employees
Family
Family
8
E. Business Revenue Has:
8
Increased
Stabilized
Decreased
Too Soon to tell
Unknown
3
Non-family
Non-family
F. Business Survival Chances Has:
8
19
0
Increased
Stabilized
Decreased
Too Soon to tell
Unknown
Number of business expansions (job creation only)
A. Type of business (primary activity):
Manufacturing/Production
Retail
Service
Other
B. Location of business:
Home-based
Not home-based
C. How many are:
Part-time
Full-time
D. Employee status:
Before expansion:
Number of full-time employees
Number of part-time employees
Family
Family
Non-family
Non-family
After expansion:
Number of full-time employees
Number of part-time employees
Family
Family
Non-family
Non-family
Net Jobs Created:
Number of full-time employees
Number of part-time employees
0
0
Family
Family
0
0
Non-family
Non-family
E. Business Revenue Has:
Increased
Stabilized
Decreased
Too Soon to tell
Unknown
F. Business Survival Chances Has:
Increased
Stabilized
Decreased
Too Soon to tell
Unknown
20
44
Number of business strengthening/stabilize (assistance to all other exisiting businesses)
A. Type of business (primary activity):
1
43
Manufacturing/Production
Retail
Service
Other
B. Location of business:
40
Home-based
4
Not home-based
C. How many are:
40
Part-time
4
Full-time
D. Employee status:
Before Str/Stabilize:
Number of full-time employees
Number of part-time employees
4
35
Family
Family
4
Non-family
Non-family
After Str/Stabilize:
Number of full-time employees
Number of part-time employees
4
35
Family
Family
Net Jobs Created:
Number of full-time employees
Number of part-time employees
0
0
Family
Family
Non-family
Non-family
0
0
Non-family
Non-family
44
Strengthen/Stabilize 52
E. Business Revenue Has:
5
12
10
15
7
Increased
Stabilized
Decreased
Too Soon to tell
Unknown
49
F. Business Survival Chances Has:
13
9
15
2
21
Increased
Stabilized
Decreased
Too Soon to tell
Unknown
Number of businesses still operating
A.
How many are:
8
Starts
Expansions
B. Type of business (primary activity):
50
Manufacturing/Production
Retail
2
Service
Other
C. Location of business:
48
Home-based
4
Not home-based
D. How many are:
48
Part-time
4
Full-time
E. # of Jobs Created:
Number of full-time employees
Number of part-time employees
4
48
Family
Family
F. Business Revenue Has:
11
9
30
2
Increased
Stabilized
Decreased
Too Soon to tell
Unknown
13
9
28
2
Increased
Stabilized
Decreased
Too Soon to tell
Unknown
G. Business Survival Chances Has:
D.
Client Outcomes
22
Client outcomes other than a business start or expansion:
0
0
0
Number of clients who pursued employment
Number of clients who pursued vocational training
Number of clients who had other positive outcomes (Please specify)
5
Non-family
Non-family
E.
Loan Data
23
Number of peer lending groups (if no peer lending, answer should be zero):
24
Number of loans:
9
To individuals
0
To group members
25
Type of loan:
8
First time loan
1
Repeat loans
26
Amount of loan
27
Term of loan (in months):
24
30
30
28
Shortest
Longest
Median
Average
28
Interest Rate:
7%
7%
7%
7%
Lowest
Highest
Median
Average
29
Amount and sources of loans:
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
1,000
10,000
1,000
2,333
0
Restructured loans
Smallest loan amount
Largest loan amount
Median loan amount
Average loan amount
93,600 Value of loans from your loan fund
87,500 Value of loans from outside loans
Value of grants
Value of other loans
181,100 Total value of loans
30
Status of loans:
31.
Value of loans (principal only):
19
36
0
0
6
5
0
A. Value of paid off loans
B. Value of loans that are current
C. Value of loans delinquent 30-90 days
D. Value of loans delinquent 91-180 days
E. Value of loans delinquent 181 days and over
F. Value of outstanding loans written off
G. Total value of loans
Number of loans repaid
Number of loans current
Number of loans delinquent 30-90 days
Number of loans delinquent 91-180 days
Number of loans delinquent 181 days and over
Number of loans written off
Number of loans restructured
Total amount
$
63,550
$
88,600
$
$
$
23,500
$175,650
H. Value of restructured loans
32.
0
Total value of Operational Funding Received
Staff person who completed form:
D. BryAnn Chen
6
Balance (principal only)
$
$
$
$
48,727.06
1,875.56
Semi-Annual Performance Report
Office of Refugee Resettlement: Supplemental Services
Grant Number: 90RU170
DUNS Number: 14 6363994
EIN: 30-0130066
Reporting Period: April 1, 2010 – September 30, 2010
Major activities and accomplishments:
During the second reporting period, the four partner agencies made great progress toward
accomplishing program goals. Below is a summary of activities and accomplishments
during the period from April 1, 2010 to September 30, 2010:
Intensive Orientation and Training:
The attendance of the Intensive Orientation and Training depends on the number of
arrivals in each month in each agency. In May, RRISA provided an additional Resume
and Cover Letter Employment Workshop for Iraqi professionals. Arabic interpretation
was provided and clients from all four agencies attended the additional employment
orientation. Also, additional materials and hands-on activities were added to reinforce
skills. RRISA also added a discussion on how to identify skills/strength by discussing
recent accomplishments and successes. With each success story, participants were able to
identify a number of associated skills and strengths.
RRISA
LSG
Catholic
Charities
World
Relief
TOTAL
April
8
5
5
May
25
18
17
June
0
6
14
July
22
12
7
August
13
16
9
September
16
19
15
TOTAL
84
76
67
26
1
19
26
6
23
101
44
61
39
67
44
73
328
As of September 30, 2010, 693 clients attended the Intensive Employment Orientation.
The program has met 57.75% of the program goal of serving 1200 clients in Intensive
Employment Orientation. The program is on track to meet the program goal by the
program end date in March 2011.
Transportation:
RRISA’s Transportation Coordinator continues working with each agency to obtain a list
of current contract drivers. RRISA developed a driver’s database. Each agency can
contact the drivers from this list and work directly with them. If they have questions, the
RRISA Transportation Coordinator helps Job Developers from all agencies access drivers
and vanpools for jobs inaccessible by transit.
1
RRISA continues a partnership with Samaritan House, which provides half-price transit
cards for low income individuals searching for work. RRISA provides discount cards to
all partner agencies based on their transportation plans and number of arrivals. Currently
agencies provide round trip transit cards to clients for job interviews and one 7-day pass
to clients who are placed in jobs that are transit accessible.
Contacts with New Employers:
Each agency continued tracking new employer contacts on a monthly basis. Each agency
maintains a database of new employer contacts onsite and provides RRISA with a
summary of the number of contacts made, the types of businesses, and the outcomes of
the contacts. Below is a summary of new employer contacts made during the reporting
period:
RRISA: 145 new employer contacts
Outcomes: 46 meetings, 80 interviews, 42 placements
Lutheran Services of Georgia: 180 new employer contacts
Outcomes: 50 meetings, 73 interviews, 54 placements
World Relief: 109 new employer contacts
Outcomes: 11meetings, 228 interviews, 133 placements
Catholic Charities: 62 new employer contacts
Outcomes: 24 meetings, 85 interviews, 52 placements
Total new employer contacts: 496
Types of employers contacted: Hotels, cleaning and janitorial companies, pharmacies,
universities/colleges, hospitals, distribution centers, restaurants, day care centers, food
processing plants, construction companies, grocery stores, staffing agencies, food
packaging plants, fitness centers, auto repair centers, churches, schools, spas, nail salons,
and apartment complexes.
Skill Specific Job Trainings
Computer Skills Training
Lutheran Services of Georgia offered computer skills trainings to clients from all four
agencies at three locations: the LSG office, the Clarkston International Bible Church
Internet Café, and the RRISA office. All three locations were accessible by public
transportation and convenient to the refugee community. The trainings were provided in
one-day, eight-hour sessions that covered the following topics:
 Parts of a computer and how to use a computer.
 Building a resume using WinWay resume software
 Using Microsoft Word
 Accessing the internet
 Creating an email account
2
 Using popular search engines like Google
Computer skills training attendance:
Month
April
May
June
July
August
September
TOTAL
Number of Clients Completing Workshop
34
45
27
46
69
58
279
Cashier and Customer Service Training
On April 12, 2010, RRISA hosted a cashier and customer service training at the RRISA
office. Nine clients representing all four partner agencies attended the training. The next
trainings happened on May 12, 2010, June 6, 2010, July 29, 2010 and September 30,
2010. The total number of clients that attended the trainings during this period was 47.
At the training, participants:
 reviewed American currency
 practiced using a cash register and making change
 practiced talking to customers at the cash register
 reviewed tips for obtaining a customer service representative (CSR) position
(quick resume guideline to make oneself more appealing to the employer)
 practiced interviewing for CSR positions
 learned tips for being a great customer service representative
 reviewed what NOT to do as a customer service representative
Warehouse Training
LSG held the second Basic Warehouse Skills Training on June 15th, 2010 and had 12
refugees in attendance. This training was held at a nonprofit organization in Stone
Mountain, near to where many refugees reside in Clarkston.
Twenty-one participants signed up for this training but only twelve attended. In follow-up
calls clients who did not attend indicated that they were unable to find the designated
meeting place. For all subsequent trainings, clients were asked to meet at the Clarkston
Community Center, which is a commonly known locale for most refugee clients.
The third Basic Warehouse Skills Training was held on August 13th, 2010. This training
was held at a local warehouse for a retail chain where many refugees are employed. The
limitation to this training was that the employer was only able to accommodate ten
clients. This time, eight of the clients reported to the meeting place at the Clarkston
Community Center..
Kitchen and Restaurant Training
3
On April 1, 2010 and June 30, 2010 World Relief of Georgia provided kitchen and
restaurant training at the kitchen of Norcross United Methodist Church. These classes
specifically helped clients to become more prepared for work opportunities and were
well-received and well-attended. The classes teach a very comprehensive list of skills
necessary when working in customer service industries, such as operating an industrial
dish washer, cutting fruits/vegetables/meat, operating commercial ovens,
boiling/steaming/blanching vegetables, making change and handling money transactions,
proper responses to difficult customers or customers with complaints, being helpful and
expressing genuine interest in customers in general, presenting personal skills and
training in culturally appropriate terms on résumés, and the like.
Housekeeping Training
On May 20, 2010 Catholic Charities of Atlanta conducted the second housekeeping
training on site at a local hotel. Ten clients from each partnering VOLAG attended. The
third training was on August 26, 2010. Clients were given a brief orientation to the job of
a housekeeper and a tour of the hotel. They were shown how to separate laundry, fold
linens, make beds, setup bathrooms, dust, clean mirrors, etc. They learned how to stock
the housekeeping cart and spoke with a housekeeping employee. Twelve clients attended.
The training was very well received by clients. CCA will continue to provide this training
every other month.
Job Placements
Each agency provides a monthly report listing the name, date of arrival, date of
placement, ethnicity, wage, number of hours and availability of health benefits for each
job placement. Agencies also report on 30 day job retention. Below is a summary of job
placements for each agency:
RRISA
LSG
World Relief
Catholic
Charities
TOTAL
Number of
placements
# with
Health
Benefits
Average Hourly
Wage
Retention Rate
105
176
169
53
97.9%
90.7%
97.6 %
92.4%
$ 8.77
$8.73
$8.79
$8.52
94%
87 %
94.4 %
86.76 %
497
94.65%
$8.70
93.72 %
Explanation of Problems:
Below is a breakdown of various problems that have arisen for the various agencies:
Catholic Charities of Atlanta (CCA)
4
CCA found that many job openings are for part-time instead of full-time positions. In
addition, some employers claim that a job will start as a part-time job but that after a few
weeks it will become full-time. Many of the part-time jobs did not become full-time,
which posed challenges for families that need full-time employment in order to be selfsufficient.
Transportation remained an obstacle for many clients. Some jobs are accessible by
public transportation but require multiple buses and very long travel times. In addition,
the bus schedules and the clients’ schedules were sometimes not compatible.
Transportation was also a barrier for some clients who carpooled to and from work. If
the driver no longer worked at the same place, the clients had to find another carpool.
The increased level of English required for some jobs has led to fewer jobs available for
non-English speakers. Some jobs that at one time did not require any language skills now
require an intensive English interview.
Changes in the human resources staff or the manager of a business have resulted in some
contacts being lost. The contacts that the employment specialists have established
usually do not transfer when the positions change at companies. This has led to the
challenge of reestablishing a contact that had already existed with a company.
World Relief
English language proficiency and education requirements for hiring have increased
dramatically across most employers. The tumultuous job market and sheer numbers of
unemployed workers have created an opportunity for employers to be more selective in
hiring. Some HR representatives have articulated that these requirements were raised
simply to help them sift through the applications they receive. The move by most larger
and mid-size companies to employ staffing agencies as intermediaries to hiring has
placed refugees at a disadvantage. Applications filtered through these staffing interviews
do not reflect well the quality of work, reliability, or capabilities of trainable workers
from other languages and backgrounds.
Additionally, reliable transportation to and from employment has become increasingly
difficult to arrange. Finally, the volatility of more and more companies tying work hours
directly to order levels has placed many clients in positions of technically having a good
job but from week to week having insufficient hours to meet their and our basic income
requirements.
5
Lutheran Services
Regarding computer training, scheduling the students who want to take computer classes
continues to be difficult and demanding, primarily because clients continue to require
multiple phone calls to ensure that they will attend class and will also bring the required
documents (I-94 and Social Security card) with them. When clients forget their
documents, as many do despite reminders, the computer trainer must contact their
resettlement agencies, and retrieve copies of the clients’ documents from their case
managers.
RRISA
Poultry-processing companies, which have been a staple source of employment for
refugees during the recession, have begun to slow down their hiring in recent months.
RRISA has been working to find other employment sources and has had good results in
the hospitality industry.
Significant Findings and Events:
Catholic Charities:
The MARTA cards provided for clients who had been in the U.S. for more than 30 days
proved to be useful so that clients could search for jobs on their own at the same time as
the employment specialist.
Some employers are hesitant about partnering with our agency. Nevertheless, once they
hire some clients, they call back and want to hire others. Catholic Charities found that
more companies that do large-scale hiring use staffing companies and will not hire
directly.
The month of September proved to be slow for hiring, especially compared to the
summer months.
World Relief:
World Relief has worked in conjunction with other similar agencies to place clients
together in transportation pools and on jobs when there is a mutual benefit to be gained
through inter-agency cooperation. The net effect of combining resources (job
opportunities and transportation in particular) serves all clients better than agency
isolation and policies or procedures that focus on one agency’s clients at the expense of
the greater good.
6
As the job market has been flooded with workers, World Relief has continued to note
that networking and seeking out personal connections with employers is the most
effective way to differentiate our clients from other applicants for an open position. We
have seen an abrupt drop in the efficacy of cold calling and for months now have only
obtained substantial employment leads from volunteers and employers who have referred
us to some of their business partners. Additionally, several clients have secured work
through community networking, as hiring is communicated within members of people
groups.
A local church, having a long-standing relationship with refugees, has developed an
informal driver’s training program. They allow WR to send several clients per week for
training with a volunteer. Clients are picked up in the area and taken to the church
property where they may practice their driving skills in the church parking lot,
accompanied by a licensed driver. Generally this helps bridge the gap between receiving
an “Instructional Permit” from the DDS and being ready to take the actual driving portion
of the exam for the full GA Drivers License. This is a new initiative for the church.
Time will tell if this actually helps place better trained drivers on the road and reduces the
time between the written test and the actual license being issued.
Lutheran Services:
The only way to teach employment-related computer skills to clients who have never
used a computer is to work one-on-one. The computer trainer has cultivated a large and
committed group of volunteers who attend each class at the Computer Café. With their
help, she can ensure that each student receives individualized hands-on training and
creates a quality resume. Between 10% and 20% of the volunteers who work with the
computer students are refugees who arrived in the US at an earlier time, and who are
“giving back” to their communities and to the refugee community in general. Some
computer training graduates return to the computer lab for weeks after training, and these
patient volunteers continue to assist them to master their new computer skills.
The computer trainer has learned that as long as a student can write her or his name and
address, that student can learn some meaningful computer skills. Those who are unable to
perform that basic writing task are generally not able to benefit from employment-related
computer skills training.
RRISA:
RRISA started referring clients to Clarkston Community Center where LSG is
conducting the Employment Upgrade Workshop that aimed at achieving higher education
and obtaining a better job in the US. Another class consisted of job search plans,
practicing interview skills and how to become more employable.
RRISA also has a good relationship with Clarkston Internet Café and continues to refer
clients for additional computer and resume assistance as well as cash register training.
The collaboration with other agencies in sharing interpreters, drivers and creating a
database together has been very valuable. The agencies continue to work together with
Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that provides free interview clothing for low
7
income women. RRISA has a partnership with Dress for Success and is able to use this
relationship to refer clients in need from partner agencies.
Dissemination Activities:
Promotional flyers are sent out for all training classes.
During the Employment Orientations, RRISA Employment Specialists share information
about computer classes, Dress for Success, specific job trainings and Upgrade Seminars
that are available for clients.
Word-of-mouth communication has brought in many computer students. The computer
trainer also mails promotional flyers for her graduates to dispense, in the same envelope
in which she sends them certificates of completion.
DeKalb Tech’s ESL teachers, who teach classes in the same building that houses the
Clarkston Computer Café, have also been instrumental in spreading the word about the
computer classes.
The Employment staff members of the involved agencies share information with each
other, largely via email. They solicit clients for trainings, share details of upcoming
trainings, and share follow-up information regarding attendance and any issues that
occurred.
In the monthly interagency meetings of Employment staff, information is shared
regarding placements and new employer contacts. The upcoming trainings are scheduled.
The representatives from other refugee organizations are invited for these meetings and
they can share information about upcoming employment events.
RRISA has collected all the materials from trainings and employment workshops and
created a training manual. RRISA also made a Joint-Agency Employment Initiative
Presentation at the Episcopal Migration Ministries Conference in Washington D.C. in
May 2010.
Other Activities:
3 Employment Specialist from RRISA, LSG, and CCA, as well as the RRISA
Employment Manager attended the RefugeeWorks Conference in Des Moines, WA on
July 29, 2010. The Conference was devoted to educational prospects for refugees. It
covered recertification, creating partnerships between community colleges and refugee
agencies, and integration of basic education skills training and vocational content with
English language instruction. It also gave participants new information on dependable
strengths that RRISA has started using in its Intensive Employment Orientation.
Activities Planned for the Next Reporting Period:
8
The four partner agencies will continue to provide the following services during the next
reporting period: transportation planning, job preparation and placement, Intensive
Employment Orientation classes, driver training, and computer workshops. Agency staff
will continue to meet monthly to cover ongoing program implementation details and
address issues as they arise. Each agency will continue to provide their skill-specific
trainings on a regular basis.
9
Georgia State Refugee Health Coordinator Report
February 17, 2011
.REFUGEE ARRIVAL DATA: CY 2010

From 1981 to 2010, 69,127 refugees initially resettled into the state of Georgia
(Figure 1).
Figure 1. 29-Year Trend of Refugee Arrivals
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
19
81
19
84
19
87
19
90
19
93
19
96
19
99
20
02
20
05
20
08
Arrivals
29-Year Trend of Refugee Arrivals in Georgia
1981 - 2010
Years
During calendar year 2010, 3,378 refugees from 61 countries resettled into 28
counties in Georgia.
o 96.6% (3,264) of refugees resettled in the Metro Atlanta area.
o 88.7% (2,997) of refugees were resettled in DeKalb County.
o 26.6% (897) of newly arriving refugees were from Bhutan (Figure
Figure 2. Top 5 Countries Resettling into Georgia, 2010.
Top 5 Countries Resettling into Georgia
CY 2010
1000
897
707
800
Number

600
445
400
224
175
Ethiopia
Somalia
200
0
Burma
Bhutan
Iraq
Country
1
Figure 3. Top 5 Counties for Refugee Resettlement, 2010.
Number of Arrivals
Top 5 Georgia Counties for Refugee Resettlement
CY 2010
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
3378
2997
100
Total
Arrivals
Dekalb
81
Fulton
49
Gwinnett Madison
31
Cobb
County
HEALTH STATISTICS, CY2010
The purpose of the refugee health screening is for disease prevention and control.
Priority health activities include basic public health care with education and
outreach and immunization against vaccine preventable diseases. During calendar
year 2010, 3,167 (93.7%) received a health screening.

Most refugees are screened within 90 days; however, it is desirable for the health
screening to be initiated within the first 30 days of their arrivals. Based on date,
during CY 2010, 17% of screened refugees received a health screening within 30
days of their arrival (Figures 4, 5, & 6).
Figure 4. Refugee Screening Intervals, 2010.
Refugee Screening Intervals
CY 2010
4%
17%
39%
≥ 30 days
≥ 60 days
< 90 days
40%
2
> 90 days
Figure 5. Screening Intervals for the Top 5 Georgia Counties, 2010
County
≥ 60 days
 30 days
 90 days
DeKalb
509
1146
1107
Fulton
38
51
1
Gwinnett
33
23
20
Madison
63
3
0
Cobb
4
25
13
> 90 days
110
3
15
0
3
Figure 6. Abnormal Infectious and Chronic Health Issues in Refugee
Populations, CY 2010
Infectious
Health Issues
# Screened
with Abnormal
Results
Tuberculosis
968 (30.6%)
Anti-Hepatitis B 451 (14.2%)
Surface Antigen
Hepatitis B
162 (5.1%)
Surface Antigen
Parasites
226 (7.1%)
STI: Syphilis
5 (0.2%)
Chronic
Health
Issues
Dental
Hearing
Anemia
Diabetes
Malnutrition
# Screened
with Abnormal
Results
699 (22.1%)
42 (1.3%)
14 (0.4%)
15 (0.5%)
10 (0.3%)
FIRST TRIMESTER (OCTOBER 1, 2010 – JANUARY 31, 2010)
For the periods covering October 1, 2010 to January 31, 2010, there were 822 arrivals
that resettled in Georgia into 16 counties from 25 countries. Of these arrivals, 86%
initially resettled into DeKalb County.
Burma
Bhutan
Iraq
Cuba
Somalia
Top 5 Arrivals during this Trimester
299 (36%)
237 (29%)
92 (11%)
42 ( 5%)
34 ( 4%)
There were a total of 586 refugees (children and adults) that arrived during this trimester
that received health screenings. The intervals for the screenings are as follows:
 30 days
 60 days
 90 days
> 90 days
429 (73%)
153 (26%)
4 ( 1%)
0 ( 0%)
3
Joint Voluntary Agency Report
February 17, 2011
I.
Arrival Statistics
A.
1st Quarter (10/1/2010 to 12/31/2010): Total refugees resettled: 693
B.
1st Trimester (10/1/2010 to 1/31/2011): Total refugees resettled: 1,008
A. Primary nationalities: Burmese, Bhutanese, Somali, Iraqi, Eritrean, and Iranian
II.
Highlights of 1st Trimester:
A. Arrival Statistics above allow GCRS to see that a large number of clients arrived in the month of
January. 315 refugees came into Georgia in January 2011! This is good news for several agencies
that saw a slow start to the first quarter of FY 2011.
B. Health Screenings in DeKalb County are currently being delivered within the required 30 day
timeframe in over 90% of refugee cases. The voluntary agencies would like to thank the DeKalb
Board of Health for all of its efforts to come into compliance with this timeline. The refugees are also
very appreciative to receive care earlier, allowing Medicaid to help cover more treatment for various
conditions.
C. Office of Refugee Resettlement announced transition of the Matching Grant (MG) Rapid Employment
program from its current program year (Feb 1- Jan 31) to the federal fiscal year (Oct 1 – Sep 30),
beginning in 2011. This aligns the important Matching Grant assistance program to the Reception &
Placement fiscal year, which resettlement agencies have long been advocating for. To usher in the
transition, ORR has extended the Program Year 2010 through September 30, 2011, introducing fresh
funding for new slots during the 8-month extension period. For the majority of agencies in Georgia,
this means that a significantly higher percentage of cases will be enrolled in Matching Grant in the
next months than is the norm. This will reduce Refugee Cash Assistance payments, and also likely
impact TANF enrolment rates.
D. New Grants Obtained and Begun!
a. Two voluntary agencies began their Preferred Communities programs in October, funded by
the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The program at JF&CS is designed to serve newly
arrived, single refugee women and children. The program at Catholic Charities is designed to
focus on innovative employment preparation and development of volunteer programs.
b. JF&CS began its new Citizenship preparation program under USCIS grant.
c. RRISA, World Relief, and Catholic Charities began providing social adjustment services funded
by an ORR Supplemental Services Grant. This grant period is a 17-month program.
d. RRISA and Catholic Charities began the Individual Development Account (IDA) program
funded by ORR to assist refugees in the U.S. for three years or less begin to save for things
like continued education, home ownership, and vehicle purchase. This program involves
financial education as well as a savings match program for participants.
E. HIAS affiliates (JF&CS) started utilizing IRIS (immigrant and refugee information system), a web-based
management system.
F. Nine asylees were enrolled into the JF&CS Match Grant program in the first trimester of FY 2011.
G. The JF&CS Healthy Families program successfully served 145 couples (out of projected 353/year) in
the first trimester!
H. LSG has resettled 27% of arrivals (51) to date in Fulton County. LSG is now working with two
apartment complexes in that area and relationships with all necessary service providers have been
established.
I.
The foundation for opening an LSG Savannah office is in place. All of the potential service providers
have been contacted including churches, community and government. A formal request to ORR will
be submitted in March.
J.
RRISA is beginning to receive Darfurian refugees from Sudan.
III. Challenges of 1st Trimester:
A. Restructuring of DFCS Childcare Unit intake procedures creating numerous obstacles and significant
delays in accessing childcare subsidy among refugee families eligible for this support due to their
TANF enrolment. As a result, many saw delays either in being able to access job readiness classes, or
in going to work after an offer was made. Agencies worked with DFCS Refugee Program staff to
resolve issue, but it affected families throughout the trimester. A new solution is now being tested
and will hopefully resolve the problem of delays that affecting these very vulnerable families.
B. At the beginning of this trimester, Georgia Families transitioned to a new data system for processing
Medicaid enrolments and claims. Soon after the change was made, hundreds of Refugee Medicaid
recipients had their Primary Care Providers arbitrarily changed to other providers in the system. As a
result, when they went to appointments with their original PCP or with specialist they were seeing,
they we told they could not be served. This led to serious delays in care and treatment for many
families, as well as a very difficult administrative challenge for the VOLAGs working the affected
families. Agencies worked with Refugee Program and Georgia Families to resolve the issue, but it
continued to affect a large number of clients throughout the trimester.
C. Employment slowed in November and December for the holidays, but placements are starting
improve in January and February.
2
2011 February Stakeholders Meeting
Report on Community Issues
The Refugee Organizing in Action Program: Providing Tools for
Refugee Communities to Bring About Positive Change
Crime & Safety
 Through the winter, the ROA Network worked closely with a team of community members to seek and win DeKalb
County’s approval for placing streetlights on Jolly Avenue, a dangerous, unlit pedestrian path for many in our
community.
 The ROA Network met with resettlement agencies to discuss the problem of crime in apartment complexes where
newly arriving refugees are placed, and to develop strategies to reduce crime in those complexes. We are now
embarking on a spring plan to engage apartment complex management, police, resettlement agencies and
community leaders in an ongoing dialogue on these issues.
 The ROA Network has completed a crime-mapping presentation that demonstrates incidents of crime in a half-mile
radius of refugee occupied apartment complexes, which will be posted next week at
www.RefugeeFamilyServices.org for use in addressing crime & safety problems in the community.
Community Health & Access to Resources
 In November, the ROA Program co-sponsored a health fair at the Clarkston Community Center, working with
community leaders to provide translators and to organize attendees at the event. Several communities participated,
including Burundi, Bhutanese, Darfuri and Somali Bantu.
Leadership and Access to Services for Refugee Women
 As a follow-up to the October 2010 presentation of the ROA Network’s Preliminary Report on Services to Refugee
Women, the ROA program identified three refugee women’s organizations in the community to partner with during
the 2010-2011 year. These partnerships, which will reach Darfuri, Somali Bantu and Bhutanese women, will support
organizational efforts to increase capacity and leadership skills, as well as access to resources needed to support
self-sufficiency.
 The ROA Program has identified eight women and seven men from the refugee community to participate in the fiveweek community leadership training program that begins next month. This leadership training program is a
partnership with the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO), and more than 15 refugee community
leaders have completed the program in the past two years.
Coming Up
 The ROA Network would like to invite refugee-serving agencies to attend a Resource Day, which will be scheduled
for a Saturday later in March, for refugee community leaders. The goal of this day will be to ensure that refugee
community members are fully aware of the programs and services that local refugee agencies provide beyond the
basic resettlement services, as well as the enrollment criteria and number of services available for each program. A
special emphasis will be placed on those services that are designed to meet the unique needs of refugee women.
Address: 5561- H Memorial Dr., Stone Mountain GA, 30083 Phone: (404) 299-6217 ext. 206 E-mail: mersadam@refugeefamilyservices.org