Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and...

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Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section Presented by Irina Zelenskaya and Shoua Vang, October 8, 2009

Transcript of Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and...

Page 1: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Refugees and Immigrantsin Wisconsin

Refugees and Immigrantsin Wisconsin

Department of Children and FamiliesDivision of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section

Presented by Irina Zelenskaya and Shoua Vang, October 8, 2009

Page 2: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Mission of the Refugee Assistance Program

Mission of the Refugee Assistance Program

• Enhance Workforce Development Services to Immigrants/Refugees/Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals

• Improve LEP Access in Job Centers• Build Partnership with local, state, federal

entities• Build partnerships with Faith-Based (FBO)

/Community-Based Organizations (CBO), resettlement agencies, Mutual Assistance Association (MAA)

Page 3: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Migrant Services ResponsibilitiesMigrant Services Responsibilities

• Bureau is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the state’s Migrant Labor Law.

• The Law, enacted in 1977, provides – standards for wages;– hours and working conditions of migrant workers, – certification, – maintenance and inspection of migrant labor camps, – recruitment and hiring of migrant workers– guarantees the right of free access to migrant camps to

insure migrant families are not isolated from the rest of the community, and/or services they are legally entitled to.

Page 4: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Refugee Services SectionRefugee Services Section

• Administer & monitor programs

• Secure federal grant funding

• Ensure culturally & linguistically competent services delivery

• Organize trainings for interpreters & bilingual professional staff

• Review state policy & procedures

Page 5: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Programs & ServicesPrograms & ServicesPrograms & ServicesPrograms & Services

• Employment and Training

• Preventive Health

• Health Screening

• Older Refugee

• Mental Health

• Batterer’s Treatment Pilot

• Unaccompanied Minors

Page 6: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Definition of RefugeeDefinition of Refugee

A person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution.

-- Article 1 of the 1951 U.N. Refugee Convention

Page 7: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

RefugeeRefugee

When did refugees become recognized as “political” refugees in the United States?– Following World War II thousands of Eastern Europeans

entered the U.S. as refugees.• The Displaced Persons of 1948 – first refugee

legislation enacted– Refugee Act of 1980 – Refugees from Southeast Asia

Where are refugees from?– From all over the world: Laos, Vietnam, Former

Yugoslavia, and Somalia. The newest refugee groups arriving in the United States today are the Iraqis and Burmese/Karen-Burmese.

Page 8: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Refugee Resettlement Process

Refugee Resettlement Process

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) makes refugee status determination after interviewing them.– Three solutions

• Repatriation to country person fled• Integration into country of asylum• Third country resettlement

Third Country Resettlement – United States– Refugee Act of 1980 – federal/state support and private/public

coordination of refugee resettlement– U.S. official interviews and determines if they qualify under U.S.

refugee law.– Approval for resettlement: medical examination, security

background checks, cultural orientation.– Resettlement and Placement agencies provide initial resettlement

services to refugees in the U.S.

Page 9: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

WI Refugee PopulationWI Refugee Population

Estimated Population of Refugees and Former Refugees (YTD 2009)*may include U.S. born children

Total estimate 73,981

FFY 2004-2009Refugees 4,823Secondary Migrants and Asylees 773Total 5,563

Projected Arrivals for FFY 2010Africa 115East Asia 389Former Soviet Union/Eastern Europe 3Western Hemisphere 20Near East/South Asia 317Total 844

Page 10: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

refugee per county

Douglas

Bayfield

AshlandSawyer

Washburn

Burnett

PolkBarron346

Rusk

Price

Iron

Vilas

Oneida

Lincoln

Taylor

Chippewa27

St. Croix

Pierce

Dunn63

Pepin

Eau Claire142

BuffaloTrempealeau

Jackson

Monroe

Clark14

Marathon439

Wood68

Portage132

Juneau4

Adams

Sauk

La Crosse289

Vernon

Crawford

Richland

Grant

LaFayette Green Rock

Dane322

Iowa

Columbia Dodge

Jefferson4

Waukesha45

Walworth11

Kenosha5

Racine33

Milwaukee2252

Ozaukee5Washington

51

Sheboygan364

Fond du Lac49

Green LakeMarquette

Waushara Winnebago169

CalumetManitowoc141

Kewaunee

Brown303

Outagamie285

Waupaca

Shawano

MenomoneeOconto

Langlade Forest

Marinette

Florence

Door

Refugee Population in Wisconsin 2004 – 2008

0-15 Refugees

16-30 Refugees 31-100 Refugees

101-500 Refugees

501+ Refugees

Total – 5,563

Page 11: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Refugee Service AreasRefugee Service Areas

Page 12: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Service Delivery SystemService Delivery System

• All refugee programs are federally funded

• Contract to regional consortium consisted of Volags, MAAs and other non-profit organizations

• Have one elected member of the consortium to serve as a fiscal agent

Page 13: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Employment ProgramsEmployment Programs

Social Services – 8 consortiums & 4 agencies

– 2008 outcomes: 506 FT employment

Road-to-Work (TAG fund)– 7 consortia – 2008 outcomes: 187 FT employment,

32 – grant termination

Page 14: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Employment & Training Services

Employment & Training Services

• Developing a Family Self-Sufficiency Plan (including Employability Plan)

• Job development: job placements, grant terminations, grant reductions and job follow-ups

• Vocational ESL training

• Short term Customize Skills Training

• On-the-Job-Training

• Case management services

Page 15: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Targeted Assistance Supplemental: Milwaukee Region

Targeted Assistance Supplemental: Milwaukee Region

• Allocation based on refugee population.

• $287,138; three year term, 2008-2011

• Additional support/case management for new refugees in Milwaukee region

• Other supportive services to new refugees: orientation to world of work and to life in US, citizenship, ESL, etc.

Page 16: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Preventive Health Program Services

Preventive Health Program Services

• Wrap around health screening and education services

• Access to mainstream health services

• Provide health education in a culturally competent manner

Page 17: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Older Refugee Program Services

Older Refugee Program Services

• Outreach and education to the refugee community

• Partnership with local Area Agency on Aging

• Holistic and culturally appropriate services

• Citizenship classes

• Case management to coordinate supportive services

Page 18: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Mental Health Program Services

Mental Health Program Services

• Outreach and education to the refugee community

• Holistic and culturally appropriate clinical services

• Case management to coordinate support services

• Health system change through training bilingual clinical staff and in-service training for mainstream mental health staff

Page 19: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Batterer’s Treatment Pilot Program

Batterer’s Treatment Pilot Program

• Close coordination with court system

• Linguistic and culturally appropriate treatment

• Support groups

• Case management to coordinate with other counselors or treatment providers

• Sustain a feeling of belonging and attachment to families and communities

Page 20: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

DiscriminationDiscrimination

Treating people differently through prejudice: unfair treatment of one person or group, usually because of prejudice about race, ethnicity, age, religion, or gender

--Encarta on-line dictionary

Page 21: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Consequences of traumatic stressConsequences of traumatic stress• Social

– Drug abuse– School failure– Anti-social behavior– Isolation/withdrawal

• Psychological– Posttraumatic Stress

Disorder• Reexperiencing,

Avoidance, Hyperarousal

– Depression– Conduct disorder – Emotion Regulation

Page 22: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Continuum of care

Community

School

Child

Prevention

Early Intervention

Intensive Intervention

Page 23: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Community

Community

Approach: Parent outreach lead by Community-based organization

Goals: Engage parents as partners in advocating for children

Connect with parents before problems emerge

Connect parents with school and beyond

Page 24: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

School

Approach: School-based youth groups Teacher consultation

Goals: Connect with youth in non-stigmatized setting

Connect before problems emerge

Address core risk factors of alienation, discrimination

School

Page 25: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Refugee DemographicRefugee Demographic• Wisconsin is home to over 69,839 refugees

& former refugees

• The Hmong are by far the largest group

• Trend of refugee in the last 10 years include groups from Southeast Asia, Former Yugoslavia, Former Soviet Union and different countries of Africa.

• As we speak, we are expecting our newest group of refugees: Burmese, Somali, Iraqi, Bhutanese.

• The refugees have settled in 20+ counties

Page 26: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

HMONG HISTORYHMONG HISTORY

• Forbearers of U.S. Hmong immigrants settled in northern Laos, plateau known as Plains of Jars

• Life before 1960s: Animists

Agrarian lifestyle:farming

gardening hunting

fishing

Page 27: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

HMONG HISTORYHMONG HISTORY

• Life before 1960s changed for approximately 150,000 Hmongs when war erupted in Vietnam

• Hmong fled Laos to Thailand

• United States

Page 28: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

One of eleven refugee camps in Thailand holding 120,000 Burmese

refugees

One of eleven refugee camps in Thailand holding 120,000 Burmese

refugees

Page 29: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Burmese family at home in camp

Burmese family at home in camp

Page 30: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Burmese children in camp school

Burmese children in camp school

Page 31: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

The first Somali Bantu family to arrive in Milwaukee

The first Somali Bantu family to arrive in Milwaukee

Page 32: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

EnjoymentEnjoyment

Make the Job Development experience enjoyable and memorable.– Smile

– Motivate, Motivate, Motivate

– Maintain morale (you and your staff)

– Help refugees achieve their American Dream

Page 33: Refugees and Immigrants in Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Division of Families and Economic Security, Refugee Assistance Program Section.

Contact InformationContact Information

Irina Zelenskayaphone: (608) 266-8354e-mail: [email protected]

Shoua Vang phone: (608) 266-8759 e-mail: [email protected]

Contact information:Heidi EllisEmail: [email protected]: 617 919 4679

http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/refugee/default.htmhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Holiday-Folk-Fair-International/135713282946