TANF and RCA: An Integrated Approach to Serving Refugees and Immigrants in the State of Washington Sarah Peterson, MSW Washington State Refugee Coordinator Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Community Services Division Economic Services Administration 1

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Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance ORIA’s mission is to transform the lives of refugees and immigrants in Washington State by administering resources that support a broad range of services that promote self-sufficiency and integration. Services include: • Cash, Food, and Medical Assistance • Employment and Training Programs (LEP Pathway, ORIA BFET, RESN) • English Language Programs • Health Screenings, Mental Health Services and Preventative Health • Naturalization Assistance • Refugee Social Services • Support services for children, youth, and elders 3

Integrated Funding for Employment and Social Services USDA FNS E&T Match 6% General State Funding 20%

ORR 24%

ORR Discretionary Grant 2%

TANF 48% 4

Who are the refugees being resettled today? What challenges do they face?

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Washington’s Refugee Resettlement Voluntary Resettlement Agencies Episcopal Migration Ministry International Rescue Committee Jewish Family Services Lutheran Community Services Northwest World Relief (Seattle, Spokane, Tri-Cities)

REFUGEE ARRIVALS 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0

2247

2008

2588

3003

2863 2136

2009

2010

2011

2162

2012

Source: US Department of State, Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing System (WRAPS).

2409

2013

2014 6

Washington Refugee Arrivals by Country of Origin SUDAN IRAN 5% 5% BHUTAN

ERITREA 4%

FFY 2013

IRAQ 31%

9%

DRC BHUTAN 5% 5%

FFY 2014

IRAN 4%

UKRAINE 6%

IRAQ 32%

AFGHAN 10%

BURMA 23% SOMALI 23%

BURMA 14%

Source: US Department of State, Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing System (WRAPS).

SOMALI 21%

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Trauma of Refugee Experience 86% of worlds refugees live in developing countries 1/3 of refugees live in camps Average amount of time in a refugee camp is 17 years Less than 1% of refugees world wide are referred for resettlement (150,000) 24 countries resettle. US welcomes the largest number of refugees 8

Limited English Proficiency 4500 4000 3500

ESL 6

3000

ESL 5

2500

ESL L4

2000

ESL L3

1500

ESL L2

1000

ESL L1

500 0 2010

2011

2012

2013

Source: DSHS Briefing Book, Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, Historical 2010-2014 (www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/manuals/briefing-book)

2014 9

Challenges and Strengths • • • • • • • • •

Challenges Diverse groups of refugees Limited English Proficient Lack of formal education No work experience in the US Immediate need to start working Limited amount of time to pursue educational opportunities Physical and Mental Health Conditions Different family size TANF vs. RCA

• • • • • • • •

Strengths RESILIENCE Resourceful Hard working Community and family oriented Existing ethnic communities Long history of immigrant communities Wealth of resources for health cares, social services Capacity to leverage resources 10

LEP Pathway Employment Services LEP Pathway English Language Services Additional Employment Programs Resettlement and Integration Services

Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services

• Employment assessments and pre-employment preparation • Job search and employment placement • Skills Training • Work Experience, Community Services Placements • Community Jobs placement via Commerce •Levelled English as a Second Language Classes •Employment Focused •Intensive ESL with Life Skills Curricula

• ORIA-Basic Food Education & Training Program • Refugees with Special Employment Needs • Comprehensive Case Management • Workshops on life skills and navigating systems • Refugee Schools Impact Grant • Mental Health and Preventative Health Services • Contractors have close ties to ethnic communities • Employ staff who came to the US as refugees • Services provided in clients primary language • Customized to meet the specific needs of each client.

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The LEP Pathway Program Provides an array of specialized employment and ESL services for refugees and immigrants. LEP Pathway Services are provided through contracts with: • • • •

Voluntary Refugee Resettlement Agencies Local Community Colleges Community Based Organizations Other Government Agencies

Serves refugees and immigrants receiving public assistance (TANF, SFA, or RCA). Refugees who are not receiving cash assistance are eligible for services as long as they have resided in the U.S. for five years or less. 12

LEP Pathways Performance Outcomes Participation and Outcomes Number of Unduplicated Participants

2014

2013

2012

2011

4,628

4,930

4,748

5,471

- Participating in Employment Services 3,784

4,027

4,072

N/A

- Participating in ESL Services

3,249

655

N/A

804

842

3169

ESL Level Gains (Levels 1-6)

2,526 886

Percentage Entered Employment

43.9%

35.71%

38.29%

32.10%

Avg. hourly wage at job entry

$10.40

$9.88

$9.92

$9.81

Retention – Employed 30 Days

77.42%

85.74%

87.49%

70.79%

Retention – Employed 90 Days

58.70%

70.17%

69.28%

63.21%

Placement with Health Benefits

32%

25%

28%

15%

Source: DSHS Report to Legislature: Refugee and Immigrant Employment Services Historical Data 2011-2014

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WorkFirst Employment After Services (TANF only)

Source: WorkFirst Performance Chartbook, April 2015, OFM Forecasting and Research Division. http://www.workfirst.wa.gov/performance/measures.asp (pages 59-61)

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LEP Pathway Outcomes

Source: WorkFirst Performance Chartbook, April 2015, OFM Forecasting and Research Division. http://www.workfirst.wa.gov/performance/measures.asp (pages 96-100)

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LEP Pathway Skills Training Program Skills training are delivered by a community-based provider with curricula that will be based on the needs of employers in the local area. The classes provide an outcomes-based, contextualized approach that allows participants to increase their English skills quickly. They will also include workplace-specific content areas in preparation for transition to professional technical programs or job placement. Trainings Offered: • Warehouse Career • Electronically Assembly • Commercial Truck Driver • Home Care Aid • Customer Service

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TANF -Subsidized Employment Programs

Community Jobs (CJ)

Community Job Connections (JC) & Career Jump

• Focus on employment barriers for hardest to serve participants • Up to 6 months of subsidized wages • Full-time countable activities • Combines basic skills, vocational, or employment specific training • Incorporates barrier management activities • Provides supportive workplace experience & training in community worksites • Work experience supports career goals • JC provides up to 3 months of paid work experience & skill development • Career Jump provides paid work experience with an employer who agrees to hire • Stacked activities support employability & include mentoring (peer &professional), Job Club, Work Ethics, Job Readiness & Hunting

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ORIA Basic Food Employment & Training Program •

Builds upon Washington State’s nationally recognized Basic Food Employment and Training Program, which is funded through the USDA SNAP E&T program.

•

This is a hybrid program that utilizes general state funding as the 50/50 match to draw down federal funding to provide additional job search training, educational and workforce skills training to refugees and immigrants who are receiving SNAP benefits.

•

This program allows providers to reach those clients who may be on the pathway to self-sufficiency, but benefit from additional ESL classes or skills training to allow them to move up the career ladder to get better jobs.

•

Outcomes: – SFY 2014 – served 1114 unduplicated clients, 40% entered employment rate – Oct. 2014 – May 2015 – served 845 unduplicated clients (13% increase) with a 62% entered employment rate.

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BFET – Resources to Initiate Successful Employment (RISE) Program PILOT 18

Thank you! Questions

Sarah K. Peterson, MSW Chief – State Refugee Coordinator Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (ORIA) State of Washington 1700 E. Cherry Street Seattle, WA 98122-4633 Cell: 360-890-0691 Email: [email protected]

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Resources Office of Refugee Resettlement (www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr) Cultural Orientation Resource Center Welcome to the United State: A Guidebook for Refugees

Higher (www.higheradvantage.org) 20

Suggested Readings • What is the What by Dave Eggars • The Middle of Every Where: The Worlds Refugees Come to Our Town by Mary Pipher • The Spirit catches you and you fall down by Anne Fadiman

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