Information and referral 2010-2011 program analysis

INFORMATION AND
REFERRAL
2010-2011 SERVICE ANALYSIS
Funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)
Georgia Department of Human Services
Division of Family & Children Services Refugee Programs Unit

Information & Referral Services
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 necessary. This service may be provided to individuals who have been in the United States up to 5 years or more.
In the 2011 contract year, $218,634.00 was allocated for Information and Referral Services, which was 8% of the total Social Services and Targeted Assistance Grant Funds ($2,734,433.00).
Graph (1) Funds Allocated

8% 92%

Information & Referral Services
Social Service & TAG Dollars

Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta (RRISA) contracted to provide Information & Referral Services for refugees.

1,750 units were utilized for 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.

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 100% approval rate for referrals made to public, private and governmental agencies.
Table (1) 2011 Information and Referral Services

EWnIeCrgy Assistance

44023

Food Stamps

275

Free School Lunch

63

Health Screening

2

Medicaid

136

Others (library, Georgia ID, etc.) 853

Supplemental Social Security

39

TANF

32

2010 2011 Information and Referral Program Analysis

Page 1 of 2

Graph (2) Types of Services Provided
900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100
0

# of Services

# of Services

Energy Assistance
Food Stamps Free School Lunch Health Screening Medicaid Other(GA ID, Library, etc Supplimental Social Security
TANF WIC

Recommendation:
Refugees will always be in need of Information & Referral Services. This is especially true with new refugees to help them assimilate into their new lives in the United States, to provide support and to encourage self-reliance to the point where the individual and/or family can successfully handle similar situations independently.
RRISA has effectively served many clients needing extra assistance during these difficult economic times. There have been many requests for services: Georgia ID cards, Department of Family & Children Services benefits, Social Security, Women, Infant & Children Program, and Energy Assistance just to name a few. There was a very high rate of approval, since RRISA screens and works closely with their clients and between organizations to make certain clients meet eligibility criteria. 100% of applications were approved. Therefore, the service is vital and should be continued.
Sources
Georgia Department of Human Services, Refugee Resettlement Program Unit
Monthly Reports by the contractor
Performance/Outcomes

2010 2011 Information and Referral Program Analysis

Page 2 of 2