Switchboard provides tools, learning opportunities, research, and technical assistance covering a range of topics related to the newcomer experience.
PUBLISHED BY:
Hosted on April 9, 2025, the training was delivered by Jennie Guilfoyle, Legal Director, VECINA; Jessica Daly, Pro Bono Coordinator, HIAS Pennsylvania; Jayme Cassidy, Pro Bono Transactions Counsel, McDermott Wil and Emery LLP; Kristin Clarens, Legal Aid Justice Center; and, Theresa Dykoschak, The Advocates for Human Rights. Nonprofit immigration legal service providers often seek to…
PUBLISHED BY:
While severe mental illness is rare, caseworkers should be knowledgeable about working with individuals facing these issues. This guide will provide foundational information about mental illness and how the resettlement sector can provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed services to support recovery. Please see the companion guide, Supporting Newcomers with Significant Medical Conditions, for more details about…
PUBLISHED BY:
Newcomers who develop digital skills find employment faster and achieve economic self-sufficiency sooner. By investing in digital literacy training, resettlement agencies can help newcomers build confidence and create meaningful connections as they transition from initial support to full workforce participation. Many local resettlement agencies have requested guidance on offering a robust digital literacy (DL) curriculum to…
PUBLISHED BY:
This blog offers practical strategies to advocate for wage increases on behalf of newcomer clients facing cost-of-living challenges. It offers concrete approaches for both direct advocacy with employers and for preparing clients to advocate for themselves. The blog also discusses common challenges and legal considerations that could arise. Understanding the Wage Challenge The rising cost…
PUBLISHED BY:
As measles outbreaks continue to emerge across the United States, service providers working with newcomer populations need accurate information and culturally appropriate resources. Understanding measles transmission, recognizing symptoms, and knowing vaccination recommendations are essential for protecting vulnerable communities. This blog post provides guidance and resources for service providers on measles—a highly contagious viral illness currently…
PUBLISHED BY:
Hosted on March 27, 2025 the training was delivered by Jasmine Griffin; Training Officer at Switchboard and Zainab Ahmadi, Masters-Level Intern at Switchboard. This webinar is geared toward direct service staff whose roles include producing case management documentation of client interactions. Supervisors may also benefit from this training to better support staff in maintaining high-quality…
PUBLISHED BY:
This resource, developed by Switchboard, provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Switchboard Community Support Line (SCSL). The Switchboard Community Support Line offers information and referrals to those working to welcome and support refugees and other ORR-eligible newcomers. Whether you are a private sponsor or a community service provider assisting newcomers, our team is…
PUBLISHED BY:
Effective resource maps transform scattered information into accessible, actionable knowledge. They highlight appropriate services, reveal gaps in existing networks, and foster collaboration between organizations. For newcomer communities, these tools can be the difference between isolation and community, between barriers and opportunities. This blog explores six innovative mapping projects that are changing how communities connect with…
PUBLISHED BY:
Hosted on 3/13/25, the training was delivered by Zainab Ahmadi, Master of Social Work (MSW); Sara Dadkhah, MPA, Switchboard Training Officer; Jasmine Griffin, MA, LPC, a Switchboard Training Officer; and, Maya Wahrman, MSW, LSW, a Switchboard Training Officer. Every year, Switchboard receives an abundance of questions from case managers about how to balance caseloads, paperwork…
PUBLISHED BY:
This resource, created by Switchboard, provides an overview of mental health challenges faced by Afghan newcomers in the U.S., emphasizing cultural perspectives, stigma, and traditional coping mechanisms.
