Resources and Information

Referral Services  |  Housing  |  Cultural Orientation  |  English Language Learners  |  Immigration/Citizenship  |  Technical Assistance  |  Health  |  Other Resources & Information

The Internet web site links on this page are provided as a resource to assist refugee service providers and the refugee population in their resettlement efforts. Inclusion of external links is provided for information purposes only.  It does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation or favoring of the web sites or organizations.  Any comments regarding the content or accuracy of the information within the external web sites should be addressed to the respective Webmasters/Administrators.  (See our Conditions of Use policy for details on "Links to Other Sites" and "Limitation of Liability.")

NOTE: Some links on this page are to information in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).  Please see Tips for Using Adobe PDF Files for details.

Referral Services

• 2-1-1 California is the statewide network of local 2-1-1 information and referral providers. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and in 150 different languages.
• 2-1-1.org is a free and confidential service that helps people across North America find the local resources they need. They are available for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Benefits.gov web portal provides information on available U.S. Government benefits and programs. Including cash, food, medical and other benefits available to help eligible low-income persons.
• Eldercare Locator is the first step to finding resources for older adults in any U.S. community (a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging).

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Housing

• Housing Resources for Refugees - Resources Guide is information prepared by California’s Refugee Programs Bureau (RPB) and is being shared with you for informational purposes only. The sharing of this information does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation or favoring of the material, web sites or organizations. If you have any questions regarding the content of a specific organization referred in this material, please contact the originating agency/organization.
• California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is funded by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and provides two basic types of services. Eligible low-income persons, via local governmental and nonprofit organizations, can receive financial assistance to offset the costs of heating and/or cooling dwellings, and/or have their dwellings weatherized to make them more energy efficient.
• Mercy Housing works with refugees and immigrants to ease their transition to the United States.
• Department of Fair Employment and Housing has brochures and publications in various languages regarding discrimination.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides information on tenant rights and responsibilities, apartment locator, subsidized housing and public housing, etc.

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Cultural Orientation

• Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE) offers programs and resources that provide basic facts about new refugee groups arriving in the U.S. and various publications are available to help in the refugee resettlement process.  One of the many CORE publications are the  Refugee Backgrounders which provide key information about new refugee groups for U.S. resettlement workers.  Also available on the CORE website are various resources to learn more about refugees including a searchable Resource Library with many varied publications on refugees and refugee resettlement. The Resettlement Navigator has translated videos, fact sheets and podcasts that can be used with refugees on topics including employment, education, and housing. CORE has a mobile app called Settle In with similar content in a more interactive learning format. The app also has a desktop version that educators often find useful during class instruction.
• WelcometoUSA.gov website provides the "Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants" orientation guide available in 14 languages.  There is easy and immediate access to the "Guide to Naturalization" and the latest study materials for naturalization.  Also available on the site is information and resource tools on finding a job and English or citizenship preparation classes in your community.

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English Language Learners

• USA Learns is a web site that helps immigrants and other adults who have low levels of English proficiency with easily accessible and free English language training.  

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Immigration/Citizenship

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers a free copy of the Civics and Citizenship Toolkit to organizations that serve, or that are interested in serving refugees and immigrants.  The toolkit includes immigration and civics publications, handbooks, multimedia tools and guidance on how to use these products to help legal permanent residents integrate into their local communities and American society.  The USCIS provides "A Guide to Naturalization" web page for naturalization material and information.  Also see their citizenship test preparation and USCIS' immigration forms sections for more information on the naturalization process. 
• USCIS' E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.  The system provides results within as little as three to five seconds.  The USCIS provides free webinars for employees and employers to learn more about the E-Verify system.
• Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) provides legal immigration services and publications, as well as technical assistance to promote refugee citizenship and civic participation.
• Tahirih Justice Center was founded in 1997 to address the acute need for legal services of immigrant and refugee women who have fled to the U.S. to seek protection from human rights abuses.
• National Immigration Forum builds public support for public policies that welcome immigrants and refugees and that are fair and supportive to newcomers in our country.
• National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is a national support center whose mission is to protect and promote the rights of refugees, asylees, immigrants and their families.  Available on the NILC website is a table that provides an overview of immigrant eligibility for the major federal public assistance programs.  Some states provide assistance to immigrants who are not eligible for federally funded services.

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Technical Assistance

• Higher Advantage is the principle training and technical assistance provider for employment and self-sufficiency of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).  
• Bridging Refugee Youth & Children's Services (BRYCS) provides support and information to service providers working with refugees, immigrant youth, children and their families.
• Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) provides information, publications and technical assistance on a variety of issues related to language and culture.  A new Culturual Orientation Handbook for U.S. Trainers working with refugees is available online.
• Institute for Social and Economic Development (ISED) Solutions is a nationally recognized consulting and evaluation organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. that specializes in refugee and immigrant services, economic and asset development, organizational capacity building, performance measurement, program evaluation and public policy analysis.
• Refugee Womens Network, Inc. (RWN) activities are focused on training refugee and immigrant women to become effective advocates for themselves, their families and their communities.
• Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children is an expert resource and advocacy organization that monitors the care and protection of refugee women and children.  
• ...more Technical Assistance Providers

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Health

• California Department of Health Care Services listing of all programs and services offered throughout the State of California.
• Survivors of Torture, International is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for survivors of politically-motivated torture and their families who live in San Diego County which includes refugees and asylees.   

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Other Resources & Information

• ORR Network Resources for connecting to other ORR partners and services.
• U.S. Committee for Refugee and Immigrants (USCRI) has gathered and produced extensive resources for refugees, immigrants and the people who support them.  The Resource Library includes valuable tools for refugees, employers, lawyers, advocates and more. The online resource library has manuals, pamphlets, brochures,and more available on a variety of resettlement topics such as cultural orientation, financial literacy, health, family strengthening, etc.  
• Be Prepared California for emergency preparedness information and resources.
• AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve directly with nonprofit organizations to tackle our nation’s most pressing challenges.
• National Crime Prevention Council provides domestic violence services to refugee communities.
• Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans provides graduate education scholarship opportunities to 'New Americans'.  The deadline for applications is November 1st of each year.  Qualified applicants may write to the program office at 224 W 57th Street, New York, NY 10019 or may obtain information from their website.

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