Raising Teens in a New County: A Guide for the Whole Family was created for parents and teens who are new to the U.S., and for the service providers working with them. From BRYCS Bulletin Alert, April 2018
LSI is offering Community-Based ESL, ESL for Customer Service Jobs and Basic Healthcare Career Training for English Language Learners.
Career Pathways – ESL for Customer Service Jobs
Career Pathways – Basic Healthcare Career Training for English Language Learners
People interested in the “Community-Based ESL” or “ESL for Customer Service Jobs” classes are welcome to register during the following times each week:
People interested in the “Basic Healthcare Career Training for English Language Learners” class should contact Central Iowa HealthWorks for more information (see the flyer).
Basic Interpretation and translation Training in May
It is my honor to write to you on behalf of Sammantha Ruiz-Yager (from VNS—Community Voices), me (Vinh Nguyen from Des Moines Public School--Center for New Americans) and RACI Interpretation-Translation Work-group, the next round of Basic Interpretation and translation Training is coming up soon in May. We request all RACI partner agencies please sign up the interpreters that you work. The grant had the following selection criteria that we had to adhere to:
1. The training is for any member who came as a refugee to this country, currently working as interpreter or wanting to be an interpreter in the community.
2. This training is funded grant through Polk County; therefore, the focus will be only in Polk County.
3. There will be limited seats so please complete the pre-screen questions as soon as possible before Monday, April 30.
Please use the link: https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b1KI7nJJEiPOd2l
If you have already completed the pre-screening survey, please know that you are already in the system and we will reach out you soon.
Art Therapy Groups Forming Now
Radmila Abram, a licensed Mental Health Counselor & Art Therapist, provides both traditional and complimentary mental health therapies. VIEW THE FLIER HERE
Art for Peace Group
We will engage in the creative process as a way to support each other through images and words of compassion and encouragement.
Space is limited to seven participants! Preregistration is required.
8th & College Connections - Citizenship Classes
UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION & RESOURCES FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS
They are continually expanding this list and featuring scholarships with approaching deadlines so be sure to return to this page periodically.
The Immigrant Visa Process
Are you aware of the immigrant visa process? Please check out here!.
IMMIGRATION LAWYERS List
Please see Jody Mashek’s (Co-chair of the legal work group of the Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa) link to recently updated version of the list of attorneys and non-profit organizations providing immigration legal services here.
If you have questions about the list, please email Jody Mashek (JMashek@afsc.org).
High-quality, free, confidential Legal Service Program
The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Des Moines Field Office (USCRI - Des Moines) is a leading expert in providing refugee resettlement services and wraparound support to local refugees and immigrants. As part of its holistic service model, the Legal Services Program offers high-quality, affordable legal services, including consultations, direct and consultations will be provided free of charge to qualitying individuals and language services are available. Download a flyer here.
11 Things You Should Know About Refugees in Iowa
Enrolling Refugee Children in U.S. Schools
This webinar focuses on the challenges of enrolling children into the local public school system and the current protections in place at the federal level such as Plyler v. Doe and the McKinney-Vento Act. Additional recommendations are discussed. Download "Enrolling Refugee Children in U.S. Schools" presentation material here and/or download an audio recording here.
Presenters:
Margaret MacDonnell, BRYCS Consultant
Jaime Duckett, LCSW-C, Children's Services Specialist, USCCB/MRS
Kate Walker, Refugee Parenting Services Coordinator, Catholic Charities of Atlanta
Check out a Toolkit for Teachers and School Personnel here.
Program for Immigrant and Refugee Youth by Art Force Iowa
The program offers a combination of small group arts workshops (including, but not limited to visual art, creative writing, piano, voice, guitar, songwriting, theater, dance, etc) and a weekly large group workshop that focusses on arts-integrated life skills learning. In addition to this, youth benefit from one-on-one mentorship, advocacy, and referrals to other supportive services.There are two pathways through which a youth can enroll in the program:
We are also able to provide if needed:
Please check out the attached documents and referral form, and send your referrals and or questions to DSM Heroes Program Manager Christine Her or call and talk to her 515 777 3182.
Refugee Childcare Literacy Volunteers needed!
Refugee Childcare Literacy Volunteers needed! LSI is looking to start with an new group of providers beginning in September but are recruiting volunteers to start anytime of the year. Volunteers will work with in-home childcare providers to model and teach literacy activities and skills. The goal is to improve the quality of these early learning environments. Learn more here.
Bridging Refugee Youth & Children's Services
> BRYCS Bulletin Alert - March 2018
> BRYCS Youth Conversations: Dipesh, a Bhutanese Teen
In January 2017, Dipesh shared his resettlement journey and experiences with BRYCS staff on what it's like to be an immigrant teen in the United State. Read more.
>Parenting Handbooks:
>BRYCS interactive Online Training Modules are available! Click here to learn more.
Current courses include:
LSI Refugee IDA Program
The LSI Refugee IDA Program is matched savings program in which participants can save for a first home, a first car*, a small business expansion or start up, or post-secondary educational costs. Savings are matched up to $2,000 per individual, $4,000 per family. Participants must attend financial literacy training as well as asset-specific trainings provided by project partners prior to accessing matching funds. There is also a 6 month minimum savings period that must be completed before accessing matching funds. Our philosophy is that access to financial education, community resources, and (ultimately) assets can help new Iowans to find long-term stability and self-sufficiency. We aim to provide a bridge between refugee communities and resources that can help them to reach their financial goals. Those interested can contact me at 515-271-7311 or at john.windheuser@lsiowa.org to set up an enrollment meeting. Download flyer here.
New Online Resource for Supporting Refugee Children and Families
http://www.nctsn.org/trauma-types/refugee-trauma
Travel Trainer Program for the refugee clients
Do you work with a population of refugees who live in the same apartment complex who would like to receive training for riding DART? This will be different than the usual DART trainings as it will come directly to where the families are living.
VNS of Iowa is getting a pilot together to see if bringing a travel trainer and interpreter to an apartment complex to train a small group of 10 families is effective.
The program would be one month long and would send a trainer and interpreter to the same complex each week. They would ride together from the closest bus stop to DART to get the Refugee Bus Pass, Primary Health Care, Broadlawns and Polk County River Place over the course of 4 weeks.
Preferably, VNS of Iowa would like to find a group of families who speak the same language allowing for one interpreter. If you have ideas for an apartment complex and population in need, please contact Lesleyann Christensen (MCH Outeach Manager, VNS of Iowa) at LesleyannC@vnsia.org or call 515-557-9036 (office) ASAP.
Refugee Summit 2016 (archives)
Click here to find out more.
Publications
Below are four of the publications that were sent as links from the Refugee Summit.