INFORMATION AND REFERRAL Purpose of Information and Referral: This service provided instruction and assistance to refugee families in accessing federal/state/locally funded programs that included accompanying the clients to the service provider when appropriate. This is especially vital with new refugees to help them assimilate into their new lives in the United States; provide support; and to encourage self-reliance to the point where the individual and/or family can successfully handle similar situations independently. This service may be provided to individuals who have been in US for 5 years or more. 2008-2009 SERVICE ANALYSIS In the 2009 contract year, $253,484.25 was allocated for Information and Referral Services, which was 8% of the total Social services and Targeted Assistance Grant Funds ($2,983,324.00). Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services (RRISA) contracted to provide Referral Services for 2,027 units. Funded by the Office of Refugee 2,184 units were utilized for Resettlement (ORR) Information and Referral Services. Those clients were assisted in accessing federal/state and locally funded programs; i.e. Food Stamps, Medicaid, WIC, energy assistance, low income housing, Childcare assistance, etc. Georgia Department of 157 more units were served, Human Services these units were unpaid by DHS Division of Family & Children Services Refugee Programs Unit. The contractors continued to serve clients after depletion of Refugee Programs Unit allocated funds for Information and Referral. Chart (1) Units Contracted /Units Provided 2184 2027 Cont ract ed Unit s Served Unit s Services were provided to clients originally from Burma, Iraq, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Burundi, Cameron, Chad, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kuwait, Mauritania, Nigeria, Somali, Sudan, Togo, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and others. Services were provided in a culturally and linguistically sensitive manner. Transportation and childcare were provided when needed. RRISA staff spoke 20 different languages. After determining the total number of the recipients of this service, 100% compliance with all contracted service provision was achieved The Performance-based outcomes showed a 99.75% approval rate for referrals made to public, private and governmental agencies. Table (1) 2009 Information and Referral Services DFCS Childcare 1 Energy Assistance 532 Food Stamps 266 Free School Lunch 127 Health Screening 14 Medicaid 257 Others (library, Georgia ID, etc.) 832 Peach Care for Kids 4 Public Housing 5 Supplemental Social Security 37 TANF 21 WIC 88 Graph (1) 2009 Information and Referral Services 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 Energy Assistance Food Stamps Free School Lunch Health Screening Others (Mliberdaircya,iGd eorgia ID, etc.) Peach Care for Kids PuSbulpicpHleomuesnintagl Social Security TANF WIC Recommendation: Taking into consideration the number of refugees who need Information and Referral services, it is recommended: Federal/State/local programs must make strong efforts to help refugees in accessing greater resources and broaden their capacity to provide this service in a culturally and linguistically sensitive manner. Contractors continued to provide Information and Referral services even after depletion of allocated fund. Therefore, it is recommended to increase number of units funded by Georgia Department of Human Services, Refugee Programs Unit. Sources Georgia Department of Human Services, Refugee Resettlement Program Unit Monthly Reports by the contractors Performance/Outcomes 2008 2009 Information and Referral Program Analysis Page 2 of 2