Cuban-Haitian Program 2010-2011 service analysis [2011]

CubanHaitian Program
2010-2011 SERVICE ANALYSIS

Purpose of Cuban-Haitian Program
The goal of this program was to assist the Cuban and Haitian population in achieving economic self-sufficiency, in the United States (US). Services included:
Employment Immigration Services English Language Instruction Financial Literacy Computer Literacy
There were four agencies that provided comprehensive services for the Cuban and Haitian population:
Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta (RRISA)
World Relief ( WR)
Lutheran Services of Georgia (LSG)

Funded by the Office of Refugee
Resettlement (ORR)

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta ( CCA)
In the 2011 contract year, $213,452.50 was allocated for the Cuban-Haitian Program.
Graph (1) Allocation of Cuban-Haitian funds per agency

Georgia Department of
Human Services
Division of Family & Children Services
Refugee Programs Unit

$80,000.00 $73,662.00
$70,000.00 $60,000.00

$65,212.50

$50,000.00 $40,000.00 $30,000.00

$41,265.50 $33,312.50

$20,000.00

$10,000.00

$-

RRISA

WR

LSG

CCA

Cuban-Haitian Program

Employment Services:

Included the following:

Pre-placement Services: included needs assessment, job orientation, work plan, resume development, budgeting and job readiness. These services focused on assessing the individuals' needs, goals and skills and preparing them for sustainable employment.

Job Placement: contracted agencies worked closely with Georgia Department of Labor and other organizations to secure job placement for clients. The job placement process required ongoing job development and building relationship with employers.

Follow-up services: contracted agencies followedup with the clients and employers on the 90th day of employment.

In the 2011 contract year, there was $115,585.76 allocated for the Employment Services, which constituted 54.1% of the total funds ($213,452.50) allocated to the Cuban-Haitian Program.

Table (1) Number of Employment clients served by agencies

Agencies

CCA RRISA

# of Clients 20 40

to be served

Actual # of 12 40

clients

served

LSG WR Total 12 20 92

0

20 72

A total of 72 clients were provided employment services out of the projected goal of 92. 78.26% of the performance outcome was met compared to the 80% in the service provisions. All 4 agencies were slated to provide Employment services; all did not meet their goals. During this contract year, Lutheran Services of Georgia (LSG) did not provide any employment services. Their left-over funds were used for the Computer Literacy classes, where there was a large number clients requesting the services. CCA provided 12 employment services but did not meet their goal of 20. CCA requested to reallocate funding in order to provide additional English Language Instruction and Immigration Services.

Limited-English speaking skills proved to be a barrier towards employment for some clients. In addition, some clients had expectations for jobs that their skill-set could not meet and were not open to accepting some jobs referred by the employment specialist. More emphasis on the importance of being open to taking an
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available job will be placed during the orientation in FY 2012.

Immigration Services
Cuban and Haitian clients had many immigration needs. Three contractors offered immigration assistance: Applications for Adjustment of Status for Lawful Permanent Residency; applications for Naturalization; obtaining disability waivers; applications for Employment Authorization Document; assistance with Parole renewals and court hearings. All immigration programs had attorneys and/or Board of Immigration Appeals certified staff. Three Contracting agencies provided this service:

Catholic Charities Archdioceses of Atlanta (CCA) Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of
Atlanta (RRISA) World Relief (WR)
In the 2011 contract year, there was $52,730.87 allocated for Immigration Services, which constituted 25% of the total funds ($213,452.50) allocated to the Cuban-Haitian Program. Graph (2) Allocated funds & Actual funds spent on Immigration Services

$60,000.00 $50,000.00 $40,000.00 $30,000.00 $20,000.00 $10,000.00
$CCA

Amount of Funds Spent on Immigration Svcs Alocated
Amount of Funds Spent on Immigration Svcs Spent

WR

RRISA

Totals

CCA and RRISA saw an increase in the number of Haitian clients requesting immigration assistance. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) extended Temporary Protective Status (TPS) to Haitians, who entered after January, 2010. CCA exceeded the goal of the number of services provided during this grant year, and offered Haitians direct services and consultations for TPS. TPS allows Haitians to gain lawful status and to obtain a work permit.
Graph (3) # of Clients served under Immigration Services per agency

Cuban-Haitian Program

WR RRISA
CCA 0

30 30

20

40

62

Actual served

60

Goal

74 60

60

80

English Language Instruction

Catholic Charities of Atlanta (CCA) provided multi-level English Language Instruction. Classes were provided at 2 locations: RRISA office in Decatur: Classes met every Monday and Wednesday from 2:00pm 4:00pm. Also, Valley Place Apartments in Decatur: Classes met every Monday and Thursday from 10:00am 12:00pm. CCA exceeded goal by 14. The annual enrollment numbers were increased to accommodate the employment slots that were not used.

Table (2) Allocated Funds for ELI & Actual Funds

Spent

CCA Service Goal Actual Services

ELI

30

44

100% of students were pre-tested. 78% were post-tested

95% improved on their scale score

62% advanced at least one Student Proficiency Level (SPL).

57% advanced at least 1 SPL in the Beginner Literate/Low Beginner level

100% advanced out of the High Beginner level (expected outcome: 42%)

67% advanced out of the Advanced level (expected outcome: 29%)

Financial Literacy

The goal of Financial Literacy Classes was to provide skills to prepare clients for financial independence. The classes were designed to enhance financial and budgeting skills which teach clients to become more self-sufficient.

Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services (RRISA) was the only agency contracted to provide this service. Topics such as Budgeting, Banking, Savings, Loans, credit issues, consumer protection and smart shopping were covered in the classes. Contractor provided translated materials for Cuban clients. An interpreter was used to provide FrenchCreole language access for the Haitian community.

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Table (3) Financial Literacy Services Provided

RRISA

Service Actual Services

Goal

provided

Financial Literacy

20

20

Performance Outcome Report:
20 clients were provided Financial Literacy services
100% of the clients completed Family Budget sessions.
30% of the clients opened Checking or Saving Account

Computer Literacy

Computer Literacy focused on increasing the client's ability to secure employment, through computer training. Lutheran Services of Georgia (LSG) was the only contracting agency providing this service. LSG offered Cuban-Haitian clients Computer Literacy training in 3-hour sessions that covered the following topics:

Basic Computer functions Setting up an e-mail account Creating a resume Online job search Completing online employment applications Connecting with employer through resume program, Understanding basic Microsoft Word and Excel
functions

All classes focused on teaching basic computer skills that would support their job search and increase their ability to secure employment, quickly. These classes were designed with a culturally appropriate curriculum and included materials translated as necessary in the client's own language. All sessions were targeted to the refugee's level and how to use the computer to get a job. LSG offered eight to ten multi-session classes over the course of a year for small groups of 5 to 7 clients. The annual enrollment numbers were increased to accommodate the employment slots that were not used.

In addition, 40 clients per year who completed training through LSG's program received a refurbished computer that was loaded with software which allowed the client to access a resume writing program, language translation program and help linking to the internet (only 1 computer per household). All functions were geared toward employment and helping clients achieve a level playing field with others who applied for similar jobs.

Table (4) Computer Literacy Services Provided

LSG

Service Goal Actual Services

provided

Computer Literacy

40

52

Performance Outcomes Report showed that:

Cuban-Haitian Program

52 clients received computer literacy 100% of clients served established email accounts. 100% of the clients served completed a resume using special Software provided.
Summary
The goal for all services is to assist the overall Cuban/Haitian refugee population in achieving economic and social self-sufficiency. Priority for services will be directed toward individuals most in need of additional support. Included are the newly arrived without family or voluntary agency support or the long-term unemployed who are unable to access adequate services through mainstream assistance. All collaborating agencies involved had the capacity to fulfill needs, provided outreach beyond metro-Atlanta and offered language competency for this population.
Recommendation
The recommendation is to strengthen the performance of the contractors and make the State of Georgia better able to apply for this discretionary grant that ends 09/29/2012. Agencies providing Cuban/Haitian services are supposed to meet on a monthly basis in order to discuss services and make necessary program adjustments. The Georgia State Refugee Program cannot understate the importance of employment services and the need for agencies to redouble their efforts in meeting this critical goal. Cuban and Haitian refugees are particularly vulnerable population. Further outreach may be needed especially in Georgia's outlying areas, where the Cuban-Haitian communities are located such as: Gwinnett, Dalton, Moultrie and Clayton Counties.
Sources
Analysis was comprised from the following Sources:
Quarterly Report of the Contractors Performance/Outcomes for the Contractors Semi-Annual Reports
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