We have curated a multimedia library of content developed both by Switchboard and by former ORR-funded TA providers. You can browse the library by resource type, view a full list of uploads, or use the search area to access content by topic, author, year, and more.
Your search for Blog Posts yielded 138 result(s).
Blog Post: Making Sense of Mobile Apps: A Collection of Interpretation, Translation, and Integration Apps for Newcomers
Author(s): Switchboard
Date: February 23, 2023
Topic(s): Case Management, Child, Youth, and Family Services, Digital Inclusion
Date: February 23, 2023
Topic(s): Case Management, Child, Youth, and Family Services, Digital Inclusion
For newcomers to equitably receive the vital integration services they are eligible for, language access is essential. As service providers know, working with a professional in-person or telephonic interpreter from the same cultural and linguistic background as the client is always ideal. But live interpretation is not always possible given the demands of newcomer services. …
Blog Post: Helping Newcomers with the Housing Search
Author(s): Switchboard
Date: January 23, 2023
Topic(s): Housing
Date: January 23, 2023
Topic(s): Housing
With a current rental vacancy rate of just six percent, housing in the United States is difficult to secure. Several factors—credit requirements, income level, transportation needs, and family size, to name a few—further complicate the housing search for newcomers. Finding housing that fits a client’s needs, eligibility, and the housing standards set by the Bureau …
Blog Post: The Tripledemic: Health Awareness Resources for Service Providers and Their Clients
Date: January 20, 2023
Topic(s): Health
Subtopic(s): COVID-19, Flu
Topic(s): Health
Subtopic(s): COVID-19, Flu
As people gather with loved ones or community members, it is important to note that there is a current surge of three highly contagious respiratory viruses—COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza (flu). These viruses can cause similar symptoms and require specific testing to diagnose. This “tripledemic” is leading to a greater number of people …
The Tripledemic: Health Awareness Resources for Service Providers and Their Clients Read More »
Blog Post: Are You Serving Afghan Clients with Mental and Behavioral Health Needs? A New National Program Can Help
Author(s): Switchboard
Date: January 4, 2023
Topic(s): Mental Health and Wellness
Date: January 4, 2023
Topic(s): Mental Health and Wellness
In Switchboard’s FY23 needs assessment, assisting clients experiencing emotional distress ranked as one of the highest needs for training and technical assistance. Megan Rafferty, Switchboard’s training officer specializing in mental health and wellness, spoke with Rayhana Rahim, PhD, on this topic. Dr. Rahim is Program Manager for the Post-Resettlement Behavioral Health Support Program for Afghan …
Blog Post: Newcomer Housing Tips: Four Steps for Outreach to Landlords
Author(s): Switchboard
Date: December 28, 2022
Topic(s): Housing
Date: December 28, 2022
Topic(s): Housing
Do you support refugees and newcomers with affordable housing services? This blog post is for you! Switchboard has partnered with Refugee Housing Solutions to share training and promising practices related to housing solutions for newcomers. The tips in this post will get you started in forming positive landlord relationships to help secure housing for clients. …
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Blog Post: Demystifying the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Newcomers
Author(s): Switchboard
Date: December 28, 2022
Topic(s): Housing
Subtopic(s): Federal Housing Programs
Date: December 28, 2022
Topic(s): Housing
Subtopic(s): Federal Housing Programs
Do you support refugees and other newcomers with affordable housing services? This blog post is for you! Switchboard has partnered with Refugee Housing Solutions to share training and promising practices related to housing solutions for newcomers. Today, we’re sharing information about the diversity of public housing programs, how newcomers can reach out to the U.S. …
Demystifying the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Newcomers Read More »
Blog Post: Healthcare Apprenticeships Help Refugees Overcome Career Barriers
Author(s): Switchboard
Date: December 20, 2022
Topic(s): Employment
Subtopic(s): Job Development, Job Readiness
Date: December 20, 2022
Topic(s): Employment
Subtopic(s): Job Development, Job Readiness
The Problem with Standalone Healthcare Vocational Training Before fleeing the Democratic Republic of Congo with her husband and infant son, Veronicah had a decade-long career as a nurse. Like many refugees, Veronicah was forced to leave suddenly, and she did not pack her diploma or transcript, the necessary documentation to verify her professional history. In …
Healthcare Apprenticeships Help Refugees Overcome Career Barriers Read More »
Blog Post: Getting to Know Afghan Newcomers: Recognizing Diversity, Ethnic Tensions, and Social Values
Author(s): Switchboard
Date: December 20, 2022
Topic(s): Community Engagement, Cultural Awareness
Subtopic(s): Country Guides
Date: December 20, 2022
Topic(s): Community Engagement, Cultural Awareness
Subtopic(s): Country Guides
In the global public sphere, Afghanistan is consistently characterized by its long periods of conflict and war, civil unrest, and mass migrations. From these challenges, a culture of resilience has emerged among many Afghans—a characteristic essential to their survival. Keeping this complex history in mind, it’s important to understand that Afghans have unique customs, traditions, …
Blog Post: Getting to Know Afghan Newcomers: Considerations for Culturally Aware Communication
Author(s): Switchboard
Date: December 2, 2022
Topic(s): Case Management, Cultural Awareness
Date: December 2, 2022
Topic(s): Case Management, Cultural Awareness
In the last year, over 80,000 Afghan newcomers have arrived in the United States. As with most populations, there is a lot of diversity and complexity among Afghans, and knowledge of these nuances helps us better serve newcomers. Culturally aware communication is especially essential for strong rapport building, which leads to smooth and successful integration …
Getting to Know Afghan Newcomers: Considerations for Culturally Aware Communication Read More »
Blog Post: Supporting Job Seekers with Backgrounds in Aviation: Ideas and Resources for Service Providers
Author(s): Switchboard
Date: November 21, 2022
Topic(s): Employment
Subtopic(s): Job Development
Date: November 21, 2022
Topic(s): Employment
Subtopic(s): Job Development
In support of Afghan pilots who have resettled in the U.S., Upwardly Global published a landscape assessment and proposed program plan earlier this year. The scope of the research included a high-level overview of potential pathways in the U.S., as well as proposed tools for service providers to help these individuals find skill-aligned employment. This …
