What social services are available to Afghan arrivals?
The DSHS Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance invests more than $25 million in federal and state dollars each year to local community organizations to provide services to refugee and immigrants. These programs and services fall into four core areas: Refugee Health and Wellness, Employment and Training, Immigration Assistance and Naturalization Services, and Whole Family Programs. Whole Family Programs offer services for kids in grades K-12 and their parents, refugee youth between ages 18-24, refugee elders and unaccompanied refugee minors. These services are available to Afghan arrivals and other refugees for up to five years.
ORIA partners with more than 60 different organizations across the state, including refugee resettlement agencies. Afghan arrivals will be able to connect to the following programs and services:
- Refugee Health Screenings and Health Promotion Program
- LEP Pathway Employment and ESL Programs (SIV and Humanitarian Parolee)
- Career Ladder for Educated and Vocationally Experienced Refugees or CLEVER
- ORIA Basic Food Employment and Training Program
- PRIME Program
- Refugee School Impact Program
- Refugee Elders Program
- Refugee Youth Mentoring Program