DPSS ePolicy

To convert existing policy to new writing style.

The Refugee Act of 1980 created the Refugee Resettlement Program to provide for the effective resettlement of refugees in the United States (U.S.) and to assist them in achieving economic self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.  Since 1980, the resettlement program has been the responsibility of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which is part of the Administration for Children and Families within the Department of Health and Human Services.  Refugees are eligible for services for up to five years from the date of entry into U.S., upon availability of funds.

The Refugee Employment Program (REP) is designed to provide culturally and linguistically sensitive employment and specialized services for refugees.  The program is intended to assist refugees through the initial adjustment period with the ultimate goal of becoming self-sufficient.  REP provides outreach, acculturation services, case management, employment training and placement services to eligible refugees.  Services under this program are available to refugees who are aided through the CalWORKs, Refugee Cash Assistance, and General Relief Program, as well as those not aided through any cash aid program.  The primary focus of REP services is to assist refugees with adjusting and adapting to the American work environment, learning English, finding employment, and ultimately achieving self-sufficiency.  DPSS contracts out with Community Based Organizations to provide direct employment and training services to the refugee population within Los Angeles County.

REP services include acculturation, employment, educational and other non-traditional specialized services, such as assistance for refugees and non-citizen victims of human trafficking, Domestic Violence (DV) and other serious crimes.  Following are some of the services available to the refugee population:

Evaluation of Records

Services will include the validation of another country’s degree to acceptable American standards of education.  Special attention will be given to refugee/participants with degrees from universities that are no longer in business as a result of change in regime within a country.

Social Adjustment Services

REP participants may be referred to the following services by Refugee Case Manager (RCM) as needed or requested:

1. Emergency services - Assessment and short-term counseling for individuals and families in crisis and referral to appropriate resources.
2. Health-related Services - Assistance with scheduling and obtaining services based on physical, psychological and social needs.  This includes special education and emphasis on availability of DV, Substance Use Disorder, and Mental Health services.
3. Translation and Interpreter Services – Assistance with accessing various available resources and services within the community to help participants secure employment.

Note:  Accredited programs may count as a non-core activity towards participation hours.

Outreach Services

Outreach in ethnic communities to introduce various available resources and services to refugee population to assist them in accessing those services.

Mentoring Services

Mentoring Services are available to all participants.  Participants can be paired with successful and professional refugees within community.  Development of Internship Programs within the community and organizations with successful employees who were former refugees.

Citizenship and Naturalization Preparation Services

This is a referral-based program in which REP participants have an opportunity to take citizenship preparation classes at a local community college, vocational/adult school, or provider agency with the appropriate accreditations and credentials.  These classes will prepare the participant for the history examination administered by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and the interview.

Note:  An accredited program may count as a non-core activity towards participation hours.

Life Skills / Acculturation Workshops

Life Skills/Acculturation (LSC) workshops consist of practical tools for everyday life and addresses topics, such as a landlord/tenant relations and basic legal education to assist with maneuvering through the system (labor laws, acceptable work environment, gender law, equal rights of employment, professional work ethics, etc.).

Note:  LSC may be conducted and facilitated by REP providers and are considered non-core hours of participation.

Family Stabilization (FS)

The program/activity that addresses participants and/or their family’s destabilizing situations/barriers.  (REP ePolicy, 1715 Family Stabilization released on May 21, 2015).

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