ORR is comprised of two main program areas: the Refugee program and Unaccompanied Alien Children’s program. ORR’s Refugee program connects refugees and other eligible populations to mainstream services for which they are eligible and provides time-limited cash and medical assistance for those ineligible for mainstream assistance programs. ORR also provides social services that are limited to 5 years from the individual’s date of arrival to the United States. ORR strives to ensure services are provided with a multi-generation approach and families served by ORR often include young children who may require early childhood development interventions provided by other ACF offices.
Partnership Opportunities:
One ORR program that directly focuses on early childhood education is the Refugee Family Child Care Microenterprise Development Program (RFCCMED). Since 2011, ORR has funded this program, which assists refugees in establishing and operating successful family child care businesses. ORR has collaborated with OCC for input into program design and knowledge exchange on early child education trends and policies. OCC technical assistance providers have also led webinars and training sessions to strengthen RFCCMED grantee training capacity in early childhood development and child care business skills.
ORR Refugee Support Services (RSS) covers a range of services, such as English language training and employment services, to support economic self-sufficiency. RSS may also support day care for children when necessary for adult family members to participate in employability or other services, or for the acceptance or retention of employment.
RSS sub-recipients also develop Family Self-Sufficiency Plans to ensure that all members of the family, including young children, are well positioned to fully integrate and become self-sufficient. ORR recently issued policy guidance reinforcing the multi-generational approach to include an initial assessment, referral for services, and follow-up activities for all members of the family.
The Refugee School Impact (RSI) program supports youth ages 5-18 through various school engagement services. Some RSI programs have formed direct relationships with local HS programs to support the transition from early childhood development programs to school settings, or administer both RSI and HS grants within the same programs.
The Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program works primarily with teenage refugees and other unaccompanied minor populations with legal status who may, in rare occasions, be caring for their own children. The foster care program bridges child welfare and refugee resettlement program to provide education, social integration, health and mental health, family reunification, and other services. Services are based on state child welfare and ORR requirements.
Unaccompanied alien children (UAC) without legal status are in the custody of ORR until they are released to appropriately vetted sponsors, usually a parent or relative, or until they secure legal relief, if they are eligible. UAC in the care of ORR comprise all age ranges, including preschool-aged and younger children, as well as parenting and pregnant youth. UAC are placed in licensed shelters or foster homes that provide comprehensive case management, facilitate family unifications, and offer individual and group counseling, specially tailored education services, medical care, and legal services. These grantees may provide parenting skills classes to the parenting and pregnant teens, as well as early childhood educational programs, learning focused play groups, and occupational therapies for children who are not old enough to attend school.