Social
and Educational Services
The goal of Social and Educational Services is to encourage and facilitate the early and long-term economic independence of newly arrived refugees. Program services are made possible through funding from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. Services include:
Employment
Services:
The goal of the Employment program is to provide self-sufficiency services
to refugees and other eligible individuals who have resided in the U.S. under
five years.
o Program activities include: job counseling, job readiness training, referral
to ESL and vocational programs, job referral, job placement, job placement
follow-up, job upgrading, and job retention.
o Services are funded by Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Texas Health
and Human Services, Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (THHSC-OIRA).
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Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA):
The goal of Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) program is to provide refugees and
other eligible clients who do not qualify for Target Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) benefits and short-term cash assistance to accelerate self-sufficiency.
o Participants receive cash and rental assistance during their first four
months in the United States if their total income is less than 125% of the
Federal Poverty Income Level.
o Participants receive cash assistance during their 5th-8th month in the United
States if their income is less than 165% of the Federal Poverty Income Level.
Drivers'
Education:
The goal of Drivers Education program is to provide eligible refugees and
other clients with classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training to
help them develop critical skills leading to employment and self-sufficiency.
o In Houston, refugees who drive have access to more employment opportunities
than those who depend on public transportation.
o We have been providing eligible refugees and asylees with classroom instruction
and behind-the-wheel training since 1999.
o Our Driver's Education program is funded by ORR through the Texas Health
and Human Service Commission Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.
o Participants receive cash assistance during their 5th-8th month in the United
States if their income is less than 165% of the Federal Poverty Income Level.
Case
Management:
The goal of Case Management program is to provide social and emergency services
to clients in order to help them navigate the complex United States Social
Services systems and make informed decisions concerning their multiple needs.
Program services are made possible through funding from the Texas Health and
Human Services Commission Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, USDHHS-ORR,
ECDC, and Office of Minority Health.
Case Management services include planning for and implementing an array of
support services such as;
o referral for health care, child care, housing, utilities assistance, language
and vocational training, family wellness training, employment, subsidies for
various needs, nutrition assistance and other needs as they arise.
o Transportation and interpreter/translation assistance to help clients access
and utilize services in culturally and linguistically appropriate manners.
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