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Co-Sponsor Teams:

Co-sponsorship is successful when there are at least 6-12 people involved. Some groups/communities choose to have teams/committees that identify the different areas to help.

Arrival/Orientation

Housing

Employment

Financial

Education/ESL

Community/Social/Shopping

* Identify a team leader that will be the liaison with the Bethany Community Engagement Specialist and when needed, the case manager. Each Bethany case manager has multiple cases at one time.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

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Reception and Placement (Refugee Resettlement)

4 minutes

Explain timeline of required core services as set forth by the State Department. Bethany is ultimately responsible for the completion of these services by the required due dates. Many initial services are dependent upon other services being completed.

Application for Social security card required first – get application confirmation letter which is needed for welfare application.

Lease for apartment or temporary rental agreement needed for welfare application.

PA benefits application needs to be completed and signed for welfare office (head of household signs pages 1 and 15).

SSN needed in order to obtain a PA State ID.

AR-11 change of address form – required to submit for each new address until person becomes U.S. Citizen

School enrollment – refugees and migrants fall under the McKinney-Vento act – this allows children to expedite enrollment without all required paperwork. But this paperwork will need to be submitted in due time.

English language classes and employment program – determined by employability of case members and how quickly they will be able to work and their language skills.

Any employment opportunities – ensure they have either an Employment authorization card or a Social security number and a State ID. rEference the I-9 for details.

Selective service sign up- only for males ages 18-26. Can print form online, sign and mail in to address listed.

Initial bloodwork and health screenings – agency sets these up but will need help from co sponsor to transport clients to appointments and/or show them how to use public transportation to get to and from appointments.

Minimum to spend is $1,025 per refugee. Flex funds of $200 per person which can be spent on other cases. Financial assistance from the co-sponsor here is vital.

Co-sponsorship to extend an additional 3 months of vital support and integration thereafter with support from co-sponsor – friendships, connections, etc.

Bethany case managers are required to complete all core services within the 90 days. We ask the co-sponsor to help with as much as they can possible, but there will be a lot of communication between the team leader and case manager to decide who can and will complete which core services. We have a form that will be completed between Bethany and the co-sponsor group to make clear who is responsible for each activity and core service.

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Refugees

Refugees or SIV status determined pre-arrival
Pre-screened and vetted prior to arrival by the UNHCR and USCIS
Eligible for work authorization upon arrival
Completed all required medicals pre-arrival
Eligible for public benefits
Eligible for Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) programming such as employment and English language services
Clear pathway to citizenship – 1 year Legal Permanent Resident application and 5 years - Citizenship

Afghan Placement & Assistance Program

Humanitarian Parolee or SIV status assigned upon arrival
Had employment and social security applications completed at military bases
Screened and vetted at the bases along with required medicals
Eligible for work authorization upon arrival
Temporary Status for up to two years
Eligible to receive public benefits
Eligible for Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) programming such as employment program and English language services
Unclear pathway to permanency yet – some could apply for Special Immigrant Visa Status if eligible or asylum applications

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FUNDRAISING

Time Commitment: 10-12 hours pre-arrival and 1-3 hours per month
In collaboration with other members of the team, coordinate strategy for raising $5000 - $10,000 to help the family pay rent and meet other needs for their first four to six months in the country.
Hold fundraisers, gift card drives for grocery money, collections for significant dates.

Note: It is very important that a record is kept of all donations of time, materials and money. The refugee resettlement program is structured as a public/ private partnership. The government knows they do not provide enough funds to successfully do the job, and designed the program to rely on community buy-in. Be prepared to keep an electronic journal to record all volunteer time, miles-driven and money or items donated.

Key Tasks

Fundraising money to be kept with the co-sponsor and distributed on behalf of, or to the family directly, to meet their basic needs in coordination with the Bethany case manager.
Secure in-kind donations such as material items or gift cards.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

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Time commitment for Housing Coordinator : a few hours a week until the family arrives. A couple hours in the week of arrival, and then perhaps one hour per month.
Identifying Landlords and appropriate housing per family is a critical need. Housing with access to public transit is vital for the family’s independence and integration. Assist with lease development and initial rental assistance.
Explaining to Landlords that renting to refugees is a benefit to them as they are guaranteed rental income for a specific time, Bethany can issue an agency-sponsored letter about the amount of rent that will be provided and that refugees will be employed quickly.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

HOUSING

Key Tasks:

• Identifying and securing the apartment.

• If a permanent house will not be ready, arrange transitional housing.

• Ideally, the key will be obtained and the house prepared before the family arrives.

• Work with the family to make sure they understand the rules on the lease.

• Help to educate the family about things they need to know to be good tenants.

• Check in on a monthly basis to make sure things are going ok with housing.

Housing is a critical need for families. Bethany works with the local community to identify landlords that are willing to rent to families that may not have all of their documentation. This is an area that we need the churches help in identifying landlords that may have housing available.

We foster relationships with local landlords to make sure there is available housing for the client when they arrive. This also means that Bethany must find furniture, weather appropriate clothes, cleaning supplies, kitchenware, and bedding for each family. When we move-in a family or individual, we set up their home using mostly donations because they only have a certain amount of money allotted to them from the State Department and we want them to be able to stretch the money for as long as possible.

A way that you can help is by coming on move-in day! By helping us move furniture, washing dishes or organizing cabinets, you are assuring that the family’s new house is as welcoming as possible for when they arrive. A Bethany representative may reach out to you before your family arrives to schedule a move-in time.

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Financial Self-Sufficiency

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per week throughout the duration of the resettlement period
Goal is for families to learn to become financially independent with your teaching and guidance.
Refugee clients need training in a new economy. As a financial volunteer, one or two team members will work to help the client become financially independent.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Key Tasks:

Assisting adults in the family in obtaining a PA State ID
Teaching the adults in the family how to manage money, open a bank account, pay bills, write checks or money orders, organize receipts for paid rent and utilities, and manage savings
Helping refugees create a budget for their household.

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HOME SETUP & FOOD

Time Commitment: 4-10 hours prior to the case arriving and a few hours per month to ensure the case has all of their basic material needs met
Utilize the Home Supply List from Bethany to determine and acquire the required items per household. Can add other items as co-sponsor has available or as needed based on family makeup. Bethany has many items in our office and storage spaces you can utilize.
Home Setup

Key Tasks

Secure and coordinate delivery of donations of Furniture and Household items needed per home

Kitchenware, bedding, cleaning supplies, basic household goods and clothing donations

Home Setup

Help organize furniture, clean apartments, wash dishes
Prepare all bedding on the beds and toiletries in bathroom

Donate two–weeks worth of groceries based on refugees’ culture. Bethany will provide you a shopping list based on the case’s ethnicity and country of origin
Take refugees to the local food stores and teach them how to shop using their ACCESS card

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

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ARRIVAL

AIRPORT ARRIVAL:

Case manager and interpreters at airport pick up and greet refugees.
Co-sponsors are not required to attend but are encouraged.
Introductions/Greetings
Seasonal clothing (coats in winter)
Providing transportation from airport to new home

US TIES provide warm greetings and familiarity during arrival

Review of Safety Instructions and Home orientation at their new home .

First Night in their new home; and First Home Visit by Case manager day after

�When a client arrives (from a base or airport), they will be hungry, tired, and eager to see their friends and family. As co-sponsor, it is not required that you attend the airport arrival, but you are encouraged to attend.

�A case worker and/or interpreter will meet the family at the gate. Many times, they have a US Tie (family or friends) that will meet them as well. After many happy greetings, they will pick up their bags at baggage claim and be driven to their new home.

�Before the case worker and interpreter leave, they must go over safety instructions with the family.

They explain the gas stove, air-conditioning and heat, smoke detectors, and that it is best to keep doors locked.

They will also explain which food to keep in the fridge as well as where to throw away trash.

�After this, the family is left in their house for the night. The next day they will be visited again by their caseworker for their first home visit.

�Things to do at the airport arrival:�Introduce yourself to the interpreter/caseworker as well as the US Tie and other friends or family there.�Be patient, give family space to say hello.�Introduce yourself and your role through the interpreter, but do not try to make plans or get too involved right then.�Bring the family seasonal clothing �With bigger families, offer to help transport the family and baggage to the home.�When at the house, let the caseworker and interpreter take the lead, hang back and see if you are necessary beyond transportation.

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First Home Visit within 24 hours�

Understanding Case Manager's Role and Co-Sponsors' Role
Length of home visit can be 4-5 hours
Expectations and the role of the resettlement agency and co-sponsor
It is recommended that only 1 member from the co-sponsor team attend this first home visit
Purchase of a Cell Phone and Plan – co-sponsor can fundraise in advance for purchase of the plan and phone
Neighborhood and grocery store/corner market orientation
Goal of resettlement: Self-Sufficiency
Maintain Confidentiality of any information shared

First Home Visit�Case Managers are required to do a home visit within 24 hours. As a co-sponsor, this is not required, but is encouraged because you will be able to meet the family at their home and introduce yourselves after they have had the night to sleep and get settled in their new home. You will also get an idea of what the case manager does and how they will be working with your client. �Things to know: �There will be an interpreter who will do their best to relate everything that is said to the clients. Speak one at a time and in the first person so the family can try to understand the information.�The case manager will mention who you are and explain more in detail what your role will be.�The first home visit generally takes a few hours. Be prepared to stay for a while or at least until a break in the case manager’s explanations. A cell phone is also purchased this day unless the co-sponsor has already purchased a plan�The goal of refugee resettlement is self-sufficiency. While helping them any way you can is great. Once they know how to do things in the United States, they should be supported in doing tasks on their own. ��

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EMPLOYMENT

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per week
Networking with employers about the benefits of hiring refugees because of their good work ethic, new skills, and expertise that they bring

NOTES: All employable adults are required to participate in one of a few employment programs. Matching Grant is for those ready to be employed quickly. State operated Refugee Social Services is for those who may need more time to acclimate. Case managers make the referral to the appropriate program based on the employability of adults during the intake interview. Refugees are expected to take the jobs offered to them as their financial assistance and benefits are limited.

Key Tasks

Learn about the skills that the adults bring and their goals
Help them think about the steps and a time-table for
reaching those goals.
Emphasize that they may need to accept a less desirable job for the first 6 months.
Pick up and assist with applications and interviews.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

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Medical Appointments��Refugees are required to get bloodwork to determine their titers for any additional required CDC vaccines. They are also required to have their initial refugee health screening at an accredited health care facility that contracts with the State of Pennsylvania. ��Bethany responsibility:�Scheduling all initial medical appointments�Completing the health insurance enrollment form after Medicaid is activated�Communicating appointments to Co-sponsor team lead�Staff member will be present at the appointment��Co-sponsor responsibility:�Provide car transportation to the appointments; or�Assist refugees in navigating public transportation to the appointments��

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Education

Time Commitment: 10-15 hours in the first month and 1-2 hours per week thereafter.
All school-aged children must be enrolled in school within 30 days of arrival. Registration procedures depend on the school district in which the family resides. Refugees are eligible for expedited enrollment under McKinney-Vento Act.
All adults must be enrolled in an English language class within 10 days of arrival. Assist with enrollment into local English classes, transportation to classes and/or scheduling individual English tutors for the family in their home.
Education is one of a refugee parent’s main focuses because they know getting good grades, learning English, and getting into college can secure the future of their children in the US.

�

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Key Tasks

Volunteers can provide transportation to ESL programs in the community, teach them how to use public transportation to get to classes or help children with tutoring or homework.
Think of fun ways to integrate learning and play. It will help students and adults stay motivated and focused.
Organize individual ESL tutors to provide private instruction in the home for adults. Talk with your Bethany Community Engagement Specialist about ESL tutors.

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This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

Transportation

Key Tasks

Purchasing public transit cards and teaching refugees how to use the cards, understand transit schedules, how to use public transit and maps to get to appointments
Volunteers can provide rides to needed appointments if public transit is not feasible such as social security office, welfare office, medical appointments, and cultural and fun activities.

Time Commitment: 2-5 hours per week for a team of volunteers
Airport Reception Transportation Assistance
Public Transportation and Ride to appointments�

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Transportation

Assist case manager with airport reception pickup, often late at night. Bring required car seats depending on age of children.

Key goal is to have refugees independently navigate public transit so they can get to their needed appointments

Also be available to drive refugees, with carseats to appointments if appointment is urgent or public transit is not an option at the time

All adults and minors over the age of 12 will receive a bus card with $20 on it to start. Co sponsor can purchase or Bethany can purchase.

Things to know:

Communicate with refugees if a ride or transit ride is being planned for an exact time of pick up. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time as you many need to remind the clients of the appointment

The client may not be ready to leave when you arrive, urge them to hurry.

The client may not know where they are going when they arrive to their destination, please walk them inside so they get to the right office.

Volunteer Responsibilities:

Let caseworker know that you will be transporting clients to appointments

Make sure car is clean and has enough seats for all clients going to appointment.

Arrive to client’s home early enough to give family time to get everyone in the car.

Arrive at appointment at least 15 minutes early so paperwork can be filled out if necessary

Leave phone number at front desk so they can call you when the client is ready to be picked up or if the appointment isn’t long, wait for family in waiting room.

Drive client back home

If you cannot fulfill a transportation request, let client’s case manager know 24 hours in advance or find someone who can fill in for you. Clients need to be at appointments

�

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Suggested Activities

Cook Meals together
Go Grocery shopping
Read stories to children
Invite to holiday celebrations in your homes
Invite to congregation picnics or special programs. Be sensitive and don’t force or make family feel obligated.
Visit museums and cultural centers.
Plan a birthday party for refugee children
Go to local playground with mother and children
Take family to local sporting event
Go to local library

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Level of Commitment for Co-Sponsor

Length of Time: 6 months

Goal: assist refugee family in their self-sufficiency and integration into the community

Financial investment: $8K-$10K to help family with the basic needs. This is recommended but not required.

This is beyond what is provided by the government. Each family member receives a one-time amount of $1,025 to help cover food, rent, clothing, medication and anything else they need

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Documentation of Services, Time & Goods

Financial requests and documentation
In-kind donation tracking
Volunteer hours and mileage tracking
Case notes

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Q&A �Contact:��Danielle Dembrosky-Bossert: Ddembroskybossert@bethany.org�State Refugee Resettlement Service Director��Katharine Woodward: kwoodward@bethany.org �Community Engagement Specialist – Allentown��Heather Bert: hbert@bethany.org�Executive Director��Karen Christopher, kchristopher@bethany.org�Executive Administrative Assistant��