Refugee Self-Sufficiency Services Programs

Oregon’s Department of Human Services (DHS) contracts with IRCO to provide the following services to refugees in the greater Portland Metro area:

Within the first 12 months of arrival in the U.S.:

• New Arrival Employment Services (NAES) - Provides employment assistance to help newly arrived refugees achieve self-sufficiency within twelve months of arrival.

   

• Pre-Employment Training (PET) - Provides classroom English language instruction for newly arrived refugees in the areas of work search skills, job application and interview skills, and appropriate on-the-job behavior. This project helps refugees understand the dynamics of the American work place, function more effectively on the job, and improves their potential for job retention.

   

• Coordinated Assistance to Support Employment (CASE) - Provides support services to newly arrived refugees who are in the NAES project.

   

After the first 12 months in the U.S.:

• Established Employment Services (EES) - Provides employment assistance for refugees who have been in the U.S. from 13 to 60 months to help them achieve and maintain self sufficiency.

   

• Refugee Vocational Training (RVT) - Provides short term child care and nursing vocational training to help refugees who have resided in the U.S. for less than 61 months.

   

For more information, visit the IRCO website.

Other services available to refugees:

• Cuban & Haitian Assistance Project (CHAP) – Provides eligible Cuban & Haitians with citizenship and naturalization services.

   

• Multnomah County School Impact (MCSI) – Providing newly arriving refugee children and parents with assistance in school enrollment, orientation to the U.S. school system, and summertime ESL.

   

• Oregon Refugee Senior Services (ORSS) – Providing refugee seniors with acculturation, citizenship and naturalization services, and other assistance geared to help refugee seniors become healthy and independent.