State Letter #12-02

TO: STATE REFUGEE COORDINATORS
NATIONAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES
OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES

FROM: Eskinder Negash
Director
Office of Refugee Resettlement

SUBJECT: Reorganization of Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)

On November 11, 2011 , ORR published in the Federal Register a "Statement of Organization, Function, and Delegations of Authority" that sets out a new internal structure for ORR. (A copy is attached.) ORR intends to implement the reorganization during the first quarter of Calendar
Year 2012.

Under the reorganization, the ORR organizational components are: (I) the Office of the Director, (2) the Division of Refugee Assistance, (3) the Division of Refugee Services, (4) the Division of Refugee Health, (5) the Division of Children's Services, and (6) the Division of Anti-Trafficking
in Persons.

The Office of the Director
The Office of the Director develops overall program and budget policy, and provides guidance and general supervision to all of ORR. The Deputy Director provides oversight to the Division of Refugee Health, Division of Refugee Services, and the Division of Refugee Assistance. The new Associate Deputy Director provides oversight to the Division of Children's Services and the Division of Anti-Trafficking in Persons. The Office of the Director also includes the functions previously handled by the Division of Budget, Policy and Data Analysis, which were
consolidated under this re-organization. These functions include budget formulation and execution, formula grants allocation, tracking of costs and funds, and policy guidance.

The Division of Refugee Assistance
The Division of Refugee Assistance (DRA) coordinates, monitors, and provides technical assistance for the State-administered and Wilson/Fish Programs. DRA also works closely with the Department of State and States in the refugee placement process. Among its responsibilities,
DRA manages Cash and Medical Assistance, Social Services, and Targeted Assistance grants (including Targeted Assistance discretionary grants). DRA also manages the grant programs for Cubans and Haitians, older refugees, and elementary and secondary schools.

The Division of Refugee Services
The new Division of Refugee Services (DRS) inherits most of the previous functions of the Division of Community Resettlement (DCR), with the exception of the Wilson/Fish Program and the Survivors of Torture Program. DRS supports the refugee resettlement process through
development and implementation of grants, contracts, and specially-designed initiatives. These grants and initiatives deliver tailored support to areas of particular need in resettlement through social and educational services, community and economic development, and case management. DRS oversees and monitors most Social Services discretionary grants and provides technical assistance for these grants.

The Division of Refugee Health
The new Division of Refugee Health (DRH) will specifically focus on refugee health issues, screening, and navigation of the health care system. DRH will work with a host of partners, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Office of Global Health Affairs,
the Office of Minority Health, the Office on Disability, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and others, to consult with experts in the public health field and transmit information to refugee state coordinators and
health care providers serving refugees. DRH will have a vital role in communications with all federal and state partners in order to ensure that refugee public health issues are appropriately addressed. DRH also supports the provision of mental health services through the Survivors of
Torture Program.

The Division of Children's Services
The Division of Children's Services (DCS) consolidates the functions related to the care of unaccompanied children. DCS combines the Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) Program and the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) Program into one child-welfare focused
division. DCS supports services to all categories of unaccompanied children referred to ORR for placement or care, including refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian Entrants, certain children granted Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and child Victims of Trafficking, while protecting the best interests of the child.

DCS arranges care for Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC), as defined by the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Through specialized grants, contracts, and state. programs, DCS monitors and inspects facilities housing UAC, and maintains data on each UAC. DCS oversees or
coordinates UAC sponsor reunification, background checks, home assessments, medical assessment and care, repatriation, and movement into the URM Program. DCS ensures that all services rendered to children in DCS care meet or exceed federal, state and local child welfare
standards.

The Division of Anti-Trafficking in Persons
The Division of Anti-Trafficking in Persons (ATIP) coordinates certification of services to adult and child victims of trafficking. In cooperation with other government agencies, ATIP coordinates certification policies and the placement of minor victims of trafficking. Through grants and contracts, A TIP promotes public awareness of human trafficking and efforts to identify victims of trafficking.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Refugee Resettlement at (202) 401-9246.

Attachment:

"Statement of Organization, Function, and Delegations of Authority", Federal Register notice,
Vol. 76, No. 218, November 10, 2011