Switchboard Blog

Switchboard’s blog posts offer a wide range of insights on the newcomer experience, including practical tips for navigating the resettlement process, resource lists tailored to community needs, case studies about relevant programs, engaging stories of successful integration, and more.

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Switchboard’s Annual Survey of Refugee Service Providers (ASRSP): Early Insights and Next Steps

The U.S. refugee resettlement system is evolving rapidly. Shifting policies and new technologies are reshaping how services are delivered, often in ways that directly impact both refugees and the service providers who support them. Yet despite their central role, the voices of service providers are rarely captured systematically. Without their perspective, policymakers and program leaders…

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The U.S. refugee resettlement system is evolving rapidly. Shifting policies and new technologies are reshaping how services are delivered, often in ways that directly impact both refugees and the service providers who support them. Yet despite their central role, the voices of service providers are rarely captured systematically. Without their perspective, policymakers and program leaders…

Supporting Newcomers with Rental Housing: Key Information to Share with Clients Do you get questions from clients about finding safe, affordable housing in the U.S.? This comprehensive overview provides information you can share with your clients about the rental process, from understanding leases and managing expectations to budgeting and conducting pre-move-in inspections. Switchboard has partnered…

About Confluence Tech conferences are often accused of chasing the next big thing: flashy tools, buzzwords, and speculative breakthroughs. Confluence 2025 took a different path. Switchboard gathered more than 100 refugee service providers, technologists, government partners, and researchers this past June at Civic Hall in New York City for two days of hands-on conversations about…

As a State Refugee Coordinator (SRC), you play a vital role in supporting newcomers by partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs). To help you strengthen these partnerships, Switchboard gathered insights from CBO leaders and staff through a national survey and input from SRCs through conversations the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) facilitated. This blog offers practical…

Do you field questions from newcomers who speak Haitian Creole? The Settle In team can help! Settle In responds to direct messages—both through text and voice—on topics including job search, public benefits eligibility, community resources, and more, within one business day. Haitian Creole and French have joined Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, Russian, Spanish, and English as…

Newcomer adolescents (10–19 years old) and youth (15–24 years old) face distinct challenges as they navigate young adulthood in a new environment. Service providers can play a pivotal role in supporting this demographic by implementing tailored strategies. This blog post outlines key recommendations for supporting youth health needs in a family-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive…