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As of January 1, 2026, all newly arrived refugees and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders are eligible to be served under the Program of Initial Resettlement (PIR). This new program, operated by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Servies (HHS), provides case management, housing placement, direct financial […]
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Service providers who want to build healthy working relationships with clients must establish clear boundaries early and maintain them throughout the service period. Appropriate boundaries are crucial to trauma-informed care. They help set realistic expectations for the service relationship and engender safety and accountability for clients and staff alike. Saying “no” or setting limits can […]
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Hosted on April 15th, 2026, the training was delivered by Claire Hopkins, Training Officer, Switchboard Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URMs)* often face distinct challenges as they strive for greater independence while coping with past trauma, adjusting to a new culture, and managing competing demands in their daily lives. These challenges can make it difficult for youth to maintain motivation or […]
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In refugee resettlement, we often collect a lot of data to report on and learn about our programming. This is often a team effort, especially when it comes to collecting and entering data on case management programming. Quality data is key to a smooth reporting process and supports internal learning, so this guide includes tips […]
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Switchboard’s free online self-paced course, Introduction to Strengths-Based Services, introduces a strengths-based approach to services that recognizes clients as capable, resourceful, and resilient. You will learn how to incorporate these principles into your work to empower clients to achieve their goals as they build a life in the United States. Course Objectives After completing this course, […]
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When working with newcomers, service providers often need to engage in conversations on sensitive and challenging topics. This guide accompanies Switchboard’s webinar and provides context and tips for calm, effective, and trauma-informed conversations with clients. Service providers regularly find themselves struggling to communicate matters out of their control to clients, who can feel disappointed that […]
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As the refugee resettlement sector has experienced a decline in arrivals, and enrollments into Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) programs have reduced, service providers are thinking creatively about outreach. Engaging “overlooked” ORR-eligible populations can help providers meet program goals even when arrival numbers are low. This blog post will help you identify potentially eligible clients […]
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As a newcomer service provider, you may not always have enough bandwidth to effectively serve all your clients’ needs, or they may require specific support beyond your scope of work or expertise. In these situations, you will need to refer your clients to other colleagues, services, or agencies. This resource provides tips for making referrals […]
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This guide outlines key RCA rules, distinguishing which aspects are fixed by federal regulation and which areas allow state-level flexibility. This information is intended as a comprehensive reference for understanding where states can shape their RCA programs and where they must comply with uniform federal requirements. The guide covers critical topics including eligibility time limits, […]
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Developing and following SOPs can help make data quality assurance part of your culture and routine practices. SOPs can improve your data not just through having a consistent framework for resolving problems that may arise, but also by building staff confidence and dedication to quality data. This document provides sample SOPs in the context of a case […]
