New Hampshire Refugee Resettlement: A Community Integration Framework

1. New Hampshire Refugee Resettlement: A Community Integration Framework Carolyn Gaut Shayn Jiang Richard D’Amato Katie Schade Jordan Wallace The contents of this report were developed under grant P116B100070 from the U.S. Department of Education. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

2. Purpose • To present a framework for understanding refugee integration in host communities • To review the academic literature on refugee resettlement and best practices from other states

3. 3 Pillars of Framework • Cultural Sensitivity/Understanding • Promoting Self-sufficiency/Independence • Community-based Support

4. Priority Issues • Employment • Economic stability • Language education • Housing • Healthcare

5. Employment Challenges: Access to jobs suited to skills, credentials, and linguistic abilities Responses: • Credible body to evaluate refugee credentials upon arrival • Comprehensive job skill training • Career-specific vocational programs for refugees • Certification/recertification training • Partnership with employers to hire refugees through tax incentives, contracts, or subsidies

6. Economic Stability Challenges: In-kind and direct cash assistance after first 90 days is expensive to sustain; some refugees may need continued support Responses: • Financial literacy courses teach important skills • Microloans that allow refugees to start their own businesses • If refugee-run business succeeds, will create a network for the entrepreneur and other refugees

7. Language Education Challenges: Access to classes due to transportation, timing, child care, adequacy, and applicability of ESL classes Responses: • Locate on public transit lines or near job centers • Provide child care or build children into the plan • Recruit volunteers from the community to be teacher’s aids, run seminars, do technology and job training • Place refugees directly into a real job setting under supervision

8. Housing Challenges: Lack of knowledge of US housing system, language and cultural barriers, unequal footing in housing market, level and stability of income. Responses: • Establish relationships with refugee-friendly landlords • Orientations with housing placement • Education on home financing and permanent housing

9. Health Care Challenges: Access to care due to linguistic and cultural barriers Responses: • Interpreter services • Training for culturally specific health issues • Expanded case management services • Refugee Health Lending Library • Strong partnerships between agencies and health care providers • Electronic System for Health Assessment of Refugees

10. Conclusion • Various responses to challenges  public and private sectors • Framework of cultural sensitivity, self-sufficiency, and community-based support to guide policy and practice